Hilliard Crews founded Memphis Glove Company in 1974 as an importer of industrial gloves. After several years of success, he co-founded with his brothers Crews Safety Glasses and River City Rainwear. In 1984, he formed Shelby Specialty Gloves for the fire-fighting industry. Presently, all four companies – leaders in PPE – operate under the holding company Shelby Group Intl. Inc., which now operates factories in Arkansas, Mexico and China and has distribution centers in Piperton, Tennessee and California.
Hilliard and his wife Harriett were instrumental in the founding of the Crews Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Memphis in 2012. Hilliard serves on the Board of Teach for America-Memphis, is a Charter member of the University of Memphis Tiger’s Ambassador Club and still serves on various University of Memphis boards. In 2018, Hilliard and Harriett received the Crystal Award for Outstanding Philanthropy. They remain active in supporting many charities through the Crews Family Foundation.
