Cotton Incorporated, the research and promotion company for US cotton growers and importers, has named William Kimbrell as its president and CEO. He previously held the posts of vice-president and COO at Cotton Inc.
William Kimbrell – Cotton Inc
Kimbrell is a specialist in textile industry management and supply chains, and has been with the organization for 22 years. Cotton Inc. is funded by the US cotton industry to promote its products and coordinate research on the fibre, working on some 450 projects per year.
“William’s technical expertise along with his extensive global supply chain marketing background provides a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the cotton industry today,” said Marvin Beyer, chairman of the board of directors of Cotton Inc., adding that “under [Kimbrell’s] guidance, Cotton Incorporated is well-positioned to continue driving innovation and promoting the many benefits of cotton, making it the fibre of choice in the global textile industry.”
Each week, the USA exports approximately 300,000 bales of cotton. It is the third-largest producer globally, behind China and India, and ahead of Brazil and Pakistan. This is a highly competitive sector, where, despite a 20% increase in the 2024-25 harvest, the USA has seen a 12% drop in total commitments from buyers.
In its monthly reference bulletin on the cotton market, Cotton Inc. noted at the end of December that the price of a pound of cotton had fallen to 69 cents, compared to 76 cents at its peak in March. The US Department of Agriculture estimates that global cotton consumption has risen to 117.4 million bales, while mill usage is set at 115.8 million bales.
Cotton is the second most-produced fibre in the world, accounting for 20% of global textile output in 2023, far behind polyester, which accounted for a 57% share.
