Our Story

Rooted in Heritage, Growing Our Future

Our legacy is woven from craftsmanship, resilience, and vision. Since 1951, Glodina has been a household name in South Africa, creating premium terry towelling trusted in homes, hotels, hospitals, and beyond. Today, we continue to honour our heritage while reimagining what’s possible for the future.

Our Past: A Legacy of Craftsmanship & Resilience

For over 70 years Glodina® has been a name synonymous with craftsmanship, resilience, and innovation. Founded in 1951 by the Italian Balladon family and named in honour of their grandmother, Glodina Balladon, the brand has grown from a family legacy into a national symbol of quality. Since then, our towels have graced homes, hotels, hospitals, and retailers across South Africa and beyond — building a heritage rooted in excellence and trust. Through decades of change, our commitment has never wavered. Each chapter has only strengthened our resolve to reimagine possibilities, modernise our operations, and expand our impact. Today, Glodina® continues to blend time-honoured expertise with forward-thinking innovation to create towels that embody true South African excellence. With every fibre, we weave not just products, but a promise: to deliver enduring quality, empower our people, uplift our communities, and shape a sustainable future for local manufacturing.

Proudly made in South Africa. Trusted worldwide. Crafted for tomorrow.

Our Present: Innovation That Elevates Every Thread

Glodina® has entered a bold new era, transformed into a modern, competitive manufacturer driven by dynamic leadership and fresh investment.

Our focus today: leadership with vision, operational excellence, market growth and a people-first culture.

Key highlights include:

Modernised equipment and expanded product ranges.

Direct-to-consumer growth through retail outlets and factory shops.

Strengthened hospitality
and retail partnerships.

Strengthened hospitality and retail partnerships.

Engaging marketing that redefines how people experience and interact with our brand.

Innovation in Action:

Our uniquely engineered Marathon Snag Proof® towels deliver quick-drying, snag-proof, industrial-grade strength, and eco-conscious attributes that have been trusted by the hospitality industry for generations.

Our Future: Bold Vision, Lasting Impact

The next chapter for Glodina® is about growing market share, expanding into new regions and balancing modern design with enduring reliability. As we grow, our foundation remains unchanged. We prioritise delivering uncompromising quality, continuous innovation, and empowering the people and communities we serve. With 98% of our workforce from local communities, we see our people as our greatest asset.

At Glodina®, craft is more than towels. It is purpose, pride, and people. Every product we create tells a story of resilience, innovation, and South African excellence.