Upon returning from World War II military service, Joseph Rosenberg started Argonaut Mills. At this time, the company primarily made polishing pads and hat trims, introducing pile fabrics to several new industries. From 1946-1955, the company was located in the historic Third Ward District of Milwaukee.
Rosenberg expanded the use of pile fabric and sliver knitting when paint rollers were brough to markets in the 1950’s. Subsequently, he changed the name to Roller Fabrics. In 1955, Rosenberg moved the company to 418 North Third Street in Milwaukee.
Founded by Carl Jensen and later run by his son, Jay Jensen, Monterey Mills began in Janesville, Wisconsin in 1965. It started manufacturing faux fur for the women’s apparel and toy industries, as well as home furnishings such as bedspreads, throws and bath rugs. With improvements in microfibers and knitting technology, Monterey Mills expanded and improved its products.
Robert Pereles, the founder’s cousin, joined the company in 1957 and worked as the Plant Manager. In 1968, Pereles purchased 49% of the capital stock and became Vice President with responsibilities in operations and sales. Pereles took over ownership of the company in 1985.
On February 1, 1995, Daniel Sinykin and his wife, Jodi Habush, purchased Roller Fabrics from Robert Pereles. After construction of a new building, Sinykin moved the business to 6600 West Calumet Road in the west part of Milwaukee in July 1997.
In August 2005, Daniel Sinykin and his wife, Jodi Habush, purchased Monterey Mills from Jay Jensen. Dan and Jodi’s goal was to continue to expand the business by offering the highest quality knitted pile fabric to industrial and retail markets. A goal which remains steadfast today.
In January 2006, operations at Monterey Mills and Roller Fabrics were consolidated. Since then, Monterey Mills has expanded its physical size to 300,000 square feet, offering more vertical product lines to include: knitted pile fabric used for paint rollers, wool and wool blended buffing pads, hospital pads, wash mitts and wash mitt fabric, apparel, toys, the Denali Home Furnishing line, and fabric manufactured for industrial applications in several markets.
Monterey Mills is not only considered the premier supplier of knitted pile fabric in the paint roller industry, but it has also grown and matured into one of the most innovative and highly respected companies in the fabric industry.
