Travis Robbins and WPT Nonwovens Models Sustainability and Zero Waste Manufacturing

From Army serviceman to leader in manufacturing, Travis Robbins brings ethical and resourceful protocols to his nonwoven plants. Based in Kentucky, WPT Nonwovens provides materials and products that incorporate US-sourced naturally sustainable materials that don’t clutter landfills and harm humans or the planet. From wet or dry wipes to feminine hygiene products to PPEs and cable wrappings, Robbins continues to expand operations and offerings to meet the needs of the US and abroad. In this conversation, Mary Kurek of Frontrunners Development, along with co-host, Brad Reams, Industrial Park Dir., Great Plains Development Authority in Kansas, Robbins shares plans for WPT and what makes the company such a great model in the manufacturing space.

Meet Travis Robbins

WPT Facts:

Travis and grandfather, Wayne

WPT is a 3rd generation family-owned and operated man-made fiber (MMF) manufacturing company. WPT is 100% American-owned, FDA-registered, and a Small Business for federal contracting purposes. Travis is a service-disabled veteran and served in combat in Operation Iraqi Freedom. WPT is focused on several markets, one of the largest being medical products. WPT is 100% self-funded and has gone through several expansions over the years to grow its product offerings and capacity, including adding two brand-new factories to its footprint in Beaver Dam. WPT has added more than 30,000 annual metric ton MMF capacity in the past 12 years and 10,000 more annual MMF capacity is coming online in April ’23.

In 2022, WPT manufactures a majority of the fiber optic cable insulation wrap for the North American market.
In 2009, WPT replaced synthetic orthopedic paddings with 100% cotton products.
In 2022, WPT manufactures nearly 60% of cast paddings for North America all of which are made with cotton or a blend of cotton and viscose (this goes into the VA).
In 2018, WPT was the first domestic company to launch a feminine hygiene product that was certified organic.
In 2022, WPT hit the market with one of the first commercially successful biodegradable dryer sheets.

About Travis Robbins: Travis Robbins is the President of WPT Nonwovens Corporation. WPT Nonwovens Corporation is a Beaver Dam, Kentucky-based 3^rd generation family-owned, man-made fiber (MMF) manufacturer. WPT is 100% American-owned, FDA registered, and currently operates three production facilities, six non-woven lines, and five medical products converting lines across more than 220,000 square feet of manufacturing space. WPT Corporation’s President, Travis Robbins, is a service-disabled veteran (SDVOSB) having served in Operation Iraqi Freedom. WPT is one of the largest employers in its area providing much-needed jobs to over 106 employees.

WPT North Plants

WPT’s original plant was constructed in the early 1970s for the purpose of manufacturing lightweight nonwovens. In June of 2008, with 15 years of experience in the non-wovens industry, Travis’s grandfather, Wayne Robbins, officially became a non-woven fabric manufacturer as the owner and operator of WPT Nonwovens Corporation. WPT has a long track record of disrupting the consumer and medical markets with environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional synthetic non-wovens. In 2009 WPT replaced synthetic orthopedic paddings with 100% cotton products. In 2022, WPT manufactures nearly 60% of cast paddings for North America all of which are made with cotton or a blend of cotton and viscose. In 2018, WPT was the first domestic company to launch a feminine hygiene product that was certified organic and in 2022, WPT hit the market with one of the first commercially successful biodegradable dryer sheets. These non-woven innovations result in the U.S. gaining an advantage and contributing to the U.S. Healthcare Industrial Base.