Fabrics & Furnishings International - Spring 2008 Issue by Fabrics & Furnishings International

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The Global Home & Contract Furnishings Newspaper • www.sipco.net

Vol. 18, No. 2

Spring 2008

JAB, World’s Largest Wholesaler, Expands into UAE Dubai Burj Showroom Planned by Kelly Hushin

IELEFELD, Germany — JAB is executing plans to open one of the Emirates’ first full-fledged luxury showrooms in Dubai’s

Christopher Jacob Schminnes

their resources to upholstery fabric, though many of the companies that made the top 50 also produce large amounts of drapery fabric and fabric for bedding and other applications. We found through this research that many of the companies that appeared on our ’96 list have since been absorbed or are now defunct. Many mills that once relied solely on sales of upholstery fabric have begun to manufacture and sell finished goods. The margin between the largest and the smallest mills has decreased, and there are now many producers that survive on a modest but consistent sales volume. In ’96, our largest listed mill, Culp, Inc., topped off the list at $272 million; almost double the sales of this year’s largest mill, Valdese. Still, back in ’96, Valdese was reported as having sales around $70 million, which indicates more than 100 percent growth for the company in the last decade. Culp, on the other hand, has significantly lessened their influence in upholstery markets —– focusing now on mattress fabrics and ticking. Based on our figures, the average sales volume for the 50 mills is $54 million. In the ’96 survey, the average sales (only 38 of them had

ice with corporate sales and marketing managers the high-end residential, as well as hospitality design community, with at least one satellite office in Abu Dhabi,” said Schminnes. “In the international markets, like the Middle East, JAB especially sells the very exciting, absolute highest class parts of its entire line of fabrics. The more high-end [the fabrics], the better we sell and market [them].” Schminnes runs the company along with Ralph, Stephan and Claus Anstoetz, all of whom report to an international board of directors that, according to Schminnes, exists mainly for guidance. “There’s no formal relationship, it’s purely a family-run business,” said Schminnes of JAB. “We are very down to earth people.” Until Jan. 1, 2008, JAB had been working with Nader Oubari, an agent and fabric veteran in Dubai, but due to some differences in business strategies, JAB has decided to part ways with Oubari and establish its own showroom while Oubari pursues his own textile ventures. (see related story on page 32) “The operation can best be handled if it is not partially owned by a partner, but solely by the parent company, in this case JAB Anstoetz,” said Schminnes. JAB has set up an interim showroom in the Al Attar Tower as plans for a permanent space in the ‘Business Bay’ around the Burj Dubai are being cemented. Until that space is finalized, the company will go through a “transitional period,” as Schminnes noted. “We want to be successful in

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famed Burj in the next few years. According to Christopher Jacob Schminnes, president of JAB and all its subsidiaries, the Middle East and Dubai is one of the largest growth areas for the company. For the first time in 12 years, Fabrics & Furnishings International sat down with

Schminnes, whose company topped our top 50 wholesalers list in 2006 with sales exceeding $400 million. He discussed JAB’s recent business developments, strategies and growing market sectors. “The JAB Middle East, 100 percent JAB Anstoetz entity, with its head office in Dubai [aims] to serv-

T H E W O R L D M I L L S USA, Turkey and India Lead the Charge by Kelly Hushin NTERNATIONAL REPORT — Dramatic changes in the worldwide textile industry over the past decade have proved that international producers in Turkey, India and other countries, are gaining momentum and becoming some of the fiercest competitors for the United States in the market for upholstery and drapery fabrics.

$150+ Million Valdese Weavers, LLC Mike Shelton, CEO

$140 Million Aydin Tekstil Ali Sami Aydin, president

$125 Million Dicitex Décor Exports Ajay Arora, principal

In 1996, Fabrics & Furnishings International presented readers with a round-up of the top 50 mills of the world, which revealed the top 10 mills to be U.S.-based. After 12 years, F&FI revisited the supplier industry and closely examined where sales are today, to find that mills like Aydin Tekstil in Turkey, with sales of $140 million in 2007, and Dicitex Décor in India, with sales of $125 million, have given our number one spot a run for its money. However, our research has proved that the U.S. still houses the number one producer in the industry. Valdese Weavers came in with 2007 sales in excess of $150 million and CEO, Mike Shelton, said, “Our company is now much larger and diverse.” Over the last few months, F&FI contacted manufacturers around the world, sending surveys to mills in Italy, Germany, Spain, China, India, the US and more. We also handed many surveys directly to suppliers while walking through the halls of Messe Frankfurt’s ‘Heimtextil Frankfurt’ fabric fair in January. We examined responses and analyzed information that’s been collected over F&FI’s 18-year history to determine which companies should make the cut. Our list focuses on producers who devote most of

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F& FI L E T T E R S

Rockland Industries Spreads Awareness about Toxic Textiles

The Global Home & Contract Furnishings Newspaper Published by Sipco Publications Inc.

tronger efforts to better the environment and health are being made by textile manufacturers as they attempt to avoid the use and production of toxins like formaldehyde. Mark Berman, chairman and CEO of Maryland-based Rockland Industries, Inc., addressed the state’s Subcommittee on Trade and the Subcommittee on Oversight of the Committee on Ways and Means, U.S. House of Representatives, on Mark Berman October 4, 2007 to speak about this pressing issue: I am testifying today on behalf of Rockland but also as a concerned citizen with knowledge of an under-publicized risk to the health of my family as well as other residents of the United States. That risk comes from the hazardous chemical formaldehyde being found in high levels in textiles imported from China and other countries. Formaldehyde is known to cause cancer, serious respiratory disease and other health problems. Many common textile products manufactured in and sourced from Asia contain unsafe levels of formaldehyde. Among the products affected are bed pillows, blankets and draperies. In fact, the formaldehyde levels in some of these products are so high that under OSHA regulations they are required to have a prominent written cancer risk warning label. None of them do. Rockland first started running into Asian-produced blackout fabrics in its foreign markets from Pakistani producers about 12 years ago and from Chinese mills several years later. The quality of the foreign fabrics was and for the most part remains very poor. However, the price was significantly below the prevailing prices in the U.S. and Rockland’s foreign markets, and in some cases below Rockland’s cost of production. As a result, in spite of the quality differences, Rockland lost some of its international market share. Ironically, China, which is one of the worst offenders, recently tightened its internal regulations. Effective January 1, 2005, China adopted GB18401-2003 National General Safety Technical Regulations for Textile Products. Under Chinese law all products sold in China must comply with this national obligatory standard. In addition to establishing the concept of “basic safety,” which requires that products do no harm to human health, the regulations set specific formaldehyde content limits for various types of textiles. These are among the strictest limits adopted anywhere. So far as we can tell, this regulation is not being enforced in China. We believe that its purpose is to be used, if necessary, as a nontariff barrier to entry against textiles being imported into China. Rockland’s products meet the Chinese standard. Rockland has tested every sample of foreign blackout fabric it could get its hands on. The results are from an independent laboratory using the internationally accepted American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists test method. The competitive products’ formaldehyde concentrations ranged from almost four to over 10 times that of Rockland’s product. Since formaldehyde is a proven carcinogen, we believe that formaldehyde at the levels in imported blackout fabrics are clearly within the definition of “toxic.” However, we have never seen a warning label.

Corrections: The headline on page 18 of Heimtextil News read, “Saehan Predicts 20 Billion Yuan Sales.” It should have read “Saehan Predicts 20 Billion Won Sales.” _________________________________________________ On page 44 of Heimtextil News, a picture of Gregory Feldman of Justin David Textiles, was mislabeled as Bernie Feldman, Gregory’s father.

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JAPAN

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Attrait Fashion Inc. Osaka Higashi P.O. Box Zeniya Dai-ichi Bldg. 1-6-19, Azuchi-machi Chuo-ku Osaka 541 Japan Fax: 81.06.264.1316

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION Subscriptions to Fabrics & Furnishings International are US$130 prepaid for four issues. Subscriptions in India are $200. Mail or fax orders (Visa or MasterCard accepted) to

PRESIDENT Michael Schneider Sipco Publications Inc. 145 Main St., Ossining, New York 10562 USA

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Email: victor@texindex.com Tel: 0086-21-51 50 59 59 Fax: 0086-21-51 50 59 00

A philosophy of excellent quality at a reasonable value with strong attention to customer service has driven Duralee to become the fastest growing decorative fabrics company in the industry. An established company with a fresh, young perspective on design, Duralee has continuously expanded their extensive offerings of fabric, furniture, and trim to include designs from traditional to modern in order to provide the Interior Design industry with the proper tools to continue its rapid growth. Distinctive. Diverse. Dramatic. Definitely Duralee. For those who view outdoor spaces as extensions of their homes, or those simply looking for performance fabrics to brighten their interiors, Duralee introduces Duralee Pavilion Volume III, a continuation of the popular Duralee Pavilion line of indoor/outdoor fabrics and trimmings. With colors as bright as the homes that dot the Caribbean coast, and sophisticated enough for any indoor setting, Duralee Pavilion Volume III and its sister collections, Pavilion Prints Volume II and Pavilion Sheers, is as versatile as it is durable. Highland Court, the Luxury division of Duralee, has partnered with New York-based designer Philip Gorrivan to create the Philip Gorrivan for Highland Court Collection, a 6-book set of woven color books featuring his signature style of fresh, modern designs with a touch of the past and punches of color. DuraleeContract has risen to the challenge of creating beautiful, sophisticated designs with social responsibility, and is pleased to continue its commitment to the environment with the Duralee Contract Crypton Green collection. This collection features sustainable, high performance fabrics that are fun, modern, colorful and earth friendly. Duralee Fine Furniture has added 15 new pieces to the current 1000 sku collection of fully upholstered sofas, lounge chairs, beds, benches, ottomans, exposed wood chairs and tables. Duralee manufactures its own furniture line in a 180,000 square foot facility in Morganton, NC, and to date is the only fabric jobber to do so. The collection has custom upholstery options, 28 hand finish options and remains one of the largest bench made collections available to the trade. With our newest pieces premiering at our High Point Showroom, located at 330 North Hamilton Suite #301, during the High Point market, Duralee Fine Furniture is versatile and accessible. Please visit www.Duralee.com www.HighlandCourtFabrics.com www.DuraleeContract.com www.DuraleeFineFurniture.com for more information.

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Franco Zeffirelli and Sergio Toppi Bring Art to Proposte

Ta b l e o f C o n t e n t s F&FI Spring 2008 | Vol. 18, No. 2

Valdese Weavers Takes Top Spot in World Mills 50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 F&FI Pays Tribute to Textile Moguls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

George Little Management Introduces Collaborations for Shows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Artist Input Dresses Up Proposte . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Croscill Home Announces Plans to Sell Lines Internationally . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Globaltex’ Clarke Brothers Bring Back Prints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Contract/HospitalityNews

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Hotel of the Future: Industry Eyes Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 World’s Largest Flooring Co., Mohawk Group, Sees Benefits of New President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 International FR Market Adjusts to Fit Increasing Demands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Nader Oubari Starts Jabtex, LLC in Dubai . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

Rick Evans Increases Sales at Fleetwood Fine Furniture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 100-year-old Lighting Co., Baldinger, Plans for the Future . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 Paul Bennotti Starts G3i to Promote Sustainability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39

40 Departments Letters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Designtex Forms New Creative Team, Adjusts Marketing Strategy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

Photo Gallery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43

Japantex Showcases High-Tech and Green Furnishings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46

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F& FI N E W S (Continued from Cover)

The World Mills 50: USA, Turkey and India Lead the Charge sales figures attached) was $56 million. This information indicates that although the market has changed dramatically in the past 12 years, the overall sale of upholstery fabric is still an important factor in the worldwide textiles market. Several of the figures we have listed for the following 50 mills are estimates based on

information provided by industry sources, though more than half were provided to us by the top executives of the respective companies. We have made a concerted effort to make sure the figures are as accurate as possible. If mills have been left out, or if any figures appear to be off the mark, F&FI we will be happy to continue gathering responses for future editorials.

$150+ Million

$100 Million

VALDESE WEAVERS, LLC

MICROFIBRES, INC.

Mike Shelton, CEO USA PO Box 70 Valdese, NC 28690 Tel: 828-874-2181 www.valdeseweavers.com Valdese Weavers encompasses several divisions, including an Mike Shelton international product line called VIP. Because approximately 73 percent of Valdese Weavers’ sales is in upholstery, the company tops our list. Please see the extended story on page 18.

James R. McCulloch, president & CEO USA One Moshassuck Street PO Box 1208 Pawtucket, RI 02862 Tel: (401) 725-4883 www.microfibres.com Approximately 85 percent of Microfibres’ current production is in upholstery fabric, 95 percent of that selling to residential markets. Jim Fulks, former executive vice president of the company, died this year at 65 years old. Please see the “Tribute” page (22) for the story.

$140 Million AYDIN TEKSTIL Ali Sami Aydin, president Turkey Ikitelli Organize Sanayi Bölgesi Turgut Özal Cad. No. 124 Küçükçekmece - Istanbul Tel: +90 212 549 20 60 Ali Aydin www.aydintekstil.com.tr Aydin Tekstil started business in 1979 as a small family owned and operated company. Aydin operates in a 100,000 square meter production area with more than 1,200 employees and manufactures more than 24 million of meters fabric.

$140 Million*

$73 Million ENZO DEGLI ANGIUONI

$75 Million DICITEX FURNISHINGS, LTD M.L Arora, chairman; Nimish Arora, vice chairman; Rajnish Arora, vice chairman India Palm Court Complex, 2nd floor Malad Link Rd., Malad (W) MUMBAI-400064. Tel : + 91 22 28442844, 28780240 www.dctex.com Dicitex Furnishings has driven sales through upholstery fabric production, being recognized recently for its outstanding export and service capabilities. Today about 50 percent of the company's production reaches buyers in more than 15 countries worldwide.

KADIFETEKS, MENSUCAT (KETS) Hassan Topbas, president Turkey Ikitelli Sanayi Bölgesi, Turgut Özal Caddesi 126 34670 Küçükçekmece, Istanbul Tel: (0212) 549 26 30 KETS is one of Turkey’s premiere upholstery manufacturers and tied with Aydin for the number two spot. The company produces its own yarn from fiber and operates in a 63,000 square meter space. KETS also produces velvets and flocks.

$125 Million DICITEX DÉCOR EXPORTS Sanjay Arora and Ajay Arora, principals India 1071/1072/1081/1082, Solitaire Corporate Park - 10 167, Guru Hargovindji Marg, Andheri-Ghatkopar Link Road, Chakala, Andheri East, Mumbai - 400 093. Tel: 022-6678 2000 www.dicitexdecor.com Dicitex Décor has increased sales tremendously in recent years, boasting one of the busiest booths at this year’s Heimtextil Frankfurt fabric fair. Dicitex Décor fabric is exported to more than 30 countries and also distributed to all major furnishing stores in India. They employ 3,500 people in a state of the art manufacturing facilities located at Tarapur.

* = number is an estimate, company did not give out sales figures.

Much of Glen Raven’s fabric sales are in the outdoor fabric and awning business, with its Sunbrella® brand of performance fabrics. Although the company’s sales most likely exceed $100 million, after taking out the awning business, the figure is closer to $75 million. Glen Raven also has a factory in China where low-end, commodity products are being produced. Much of the company’s jacquard fabrics are produced by Sunbury Textile Mills in New York.

Enzo Angiuoni Italy Enzo degli Angiuoni s.p.a. Via G. Fara 26 20030 Birago di Lentate - Milano Tel: +39 (0) 362 5310 1 www.edaspa.com Enzo degli Angiuoni's Group employs 120 people and stretches over 15,000 square meters, with 80 percent of production going to the export market.

$68 Million WESTGATE HOME David Li, CEO China 295 Fifth Ave, Suite 812 New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 689-3579 www.westgatehome.com Although Westgate topped our list as having the highest total sales in 2007 ($170 million), we clock them in at $68 million since most of their sales are in ready-made and finished bedding. The company recently purchased some of the assets of Quaker Fabrics in Brazil.

$60 Million* ROHLEDER Klauss Rohleder, president Germany Hofer Strasse 25 95176 Konradsreuth Tel: 49-0-92-92590 www.rohleder.com Rohleder manufactures upholstery and furnishing fabrics and has an export rate with Europe of about 45 percent.

$60 Million* Mr. Nimish Arora, Managing Director, Mr. Rajnish Arora, Vice-Chairman, Mr. M. L. Arora, Chairman

$75 Million* BEAULIEU FABRICS Roger De Clerck, founder Belgium Groene Dreef 9 - B - 9770, Kruishoutem Tel: +32 (0)9 338 12 11 www.beaulieufabrics.be In the 1950’s the De Clerck family of Flemish flax farmers began to sell upholstery fabrics for home weavers spread all over the countryside. Today Beaulieu Fabrics specializes in weaving upholstery fabrics in dobby and jacquard weaves.

$75 Million* GLEN RAVEN/ TRI VANTAGE Harry Gobble USA 1831 North Park Ave. Glen Raven, NC 27217-1100 Tel: 336.227.6211 www.glenraven.com

ANTECUIR Rafael Pascual, president Spain Av. Del Ferrocarill s/n 03830 Muro de Alcoy, Alicante Tel: +34 96 654 40 00 www.antecuir.com Antecuir manufactures upholstery fabric in polyamide, polyester cotton and blends.

$53 Million RAGOLLE Alfred Ragolle, president Belgium Vichtseweg 123-129 8790 WAREGEM Tel: +32 56 77.74.79 www.ragolle.be Ragolle’s sales for 2007 were approximately $105 million, but about half of that was in their popular carpets, so we’ve recorded their upholstery/drapery sales at about $53 million.

The following companies reported sales in 2007 as over $50 million, or approximately $50 million, but did not provide exact figures: AZNAR Vincente Aznar Spain Villa de Bilbao, 2 Pol. Ind. Fuente del Jarro 46988 Valencia Spain Tel: 0034-96-134-37-12 www.aznartextil.com The majority of Aznar’s sales are Eduardo Aznar in drapery and upholstery fabrics. All the company’s fabrics are Oekotex certified and 50 percent of its products carry the new ‘Made in Green’ brand name.

DINA/VANELLI Erol Turkman, chairman Turkey Kocman Cad. Polat Is Merkezi A Blok Gunesli 34540 Istanbul Tel: 90-212-657-5612 www.vanelli.com.tr Dina/Vanelli is the export company of the Turkun Textile Group, which operates its own polyester yarn facility using Zinser yarn spinning equipment and has state-of-the-art jacquard weaving equipment. About 30 percent of the company’s sales is to the contract market.

IMATEX S.P.A. Luigi Fumagalli and Attilio Fumagalli, principals Italy 23895 Nibionno (Lc) Italia via Cadorna 33 Tel: 39-031-692222 www.imatex.it Imatex operates out of five Italian sites in Brianza and about 80 percent of production is exported. The company uses a wide range of warps which gives a maximum flexibility of colors and ranges.

J.A. RAYMAKERS & CO. Richard Oussoren, CEO The Netherlands Kanaaldijik NW 61 PO Box 8 5700 AA Helmond Tel: 31-0-492-536855 www.raymakers.com Raymakers is known for its Richard Oussoren high-style and design in velvet fabric as well as its strong adherence to environmental standards. The company is developing a “green velvet” label to be approved by GOTS, (the only global standard for organic yarn and fabrics.)

MARIO SIRTORI S.P.A. Giulio Sirtori Italy Via Papa Giovanni XXIII 10 Costamasnaga LC Italy 23845 Tel: 39-031-879611 www.mariosirtori.com In 1955, brothers Mario and Lino Sirtori started the company in the heart of Brianza.

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Fabrics and Linings... The World’s Standard of Excellence The Rockland Mills programs of Blackout drapery linings and fabrics are truly world class. Our customers in over 80 world markets, both commercial and trade, know that they can rely on the quality, variety, delivery and performance built into every yard of fabric. That’s because every yard is manufactured with strict quality control, using the finest textiles and best technology available. There’s over 40 years of manufacturing know how and expertise in every product produced by Rockland’s Maryland and South Carolina plants. Whether for residential or commercial use, for total Blackout or Dim-Out, with or without flame resistant finish, there is a Rockland product for the job. Rockland Mills’ Blackouts are available in widths from 48 inches (122 cm) up to 110 inches (280 cm), and in every color of the rainbow, in plain or textured fabrics. Our Blackouts are even available with printed designs from an extensive pattern library, or if you prefer, we can use your custom designs or colors. Roc-lon Blackout linings can also be purchased as ready-made Blackout liners or draperies which are ready to hang, and which are produced under the same strict quality standards.

PERFORMANCE FABRICS

where style follows function ©R o ck

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Contact your local selling agent for more details and information regarding our complete program of Roc-lon products. We have sales representation in every major world market.

Rockland Mills Division, Rockland Industries, Inc. P.O. BOX 17293 BALTIMORE, MD 21297 PHONE: 1-410-522-2505 FAX: 1-410-522-2545

INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMERS PLEASE CALL 1-410-522-0088 E-MAIL: MAIL@ROC-LON.COM WWW.ROC-LON.COM

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The World Mills 50: USA, Turkey and India Lead SUNBURY TEXTILE MILLS, INC.

$48 Million*

Henry A. Truslow, president USA 1200 Miller St Sunbury PA 17801 Tel: 570-286-3800 www.sunburytextilemills.com Henry Truslow Sunbury’s Next™ post-consumer recycled polyester fabric has made large strides in the U.S. market for sustainable, eco-friendly textiles. The company recently announced that Michael Grimsley, formerly with Burlington Industries and Tietex International, has been appointed as southeast sales representative.

Italy Via Perugia 29 Montemurlo PO Tel: +39 057479711 www.italvelluti.it Italvelluti was one of the first textile mills in Italy to install its own CAD (computer aided design) system which at the time (in the late 1980s) was ahead of its time. The company runs two sales branches, Italvelluti Espana and Italvelluti Polska, and plans to open more in the future.

ITALVELLUTI

$40 Million* ATEJA

VICTOR INNOVATEX Alain Duval, president Canada 2805 90th Street Saint-Georges Quebec G6A 1K1 Tel: 1-418-227-9897 www.victor-innovatex.com Alain Duval Victor Innovatex gained momentum when the company’s president, Alain Duval, made a bold move by purchasing the majority of the assets left by Quaker Fabrics Corp., which was once one of the largest mills in the world.

WEAVE CORPORATION Roger Berkley, president USA 433 Hackensack Ave. Hackensack NJ 07601 Tel: 201-646-1500 www.weavecorp.com Weave Corporation just introduced Greenweave™ which includes a post-consumer polyester and a sustainable line, both to be marketed to contract and residential fabric editeurs.

W.L. ROSS + CO. LLC/INTERNATIONAL TEXTILE GROUP Wilbur L. Ross, Derrill Rice USA 1166 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10036 Tel: 212-826-2111 ITG could not provide a breakdown of fabric sales percentages specific to interior textiles (they produce apparel textiles as well), but reported the total company fabric sales in excess of $1 billion. Of the interior textiles, 80 percent are upholstery fabrics. The company recently introduced the Ecolution™ brand of upholstery fabrics which are 100 percent post-consumer recycled.

Subianto Tjandra Indonesia Jl. Raya Batujajar KM 2 8 Padalarang-Bandung 40561 West Jave Indonesia Tel: 62-22-6866322 www.ateja.co.id Ateja has been awarded many international certifications over its more than 30-year history, such as the ISO 9002 and QS 9000, among others.

$40 Million* BOYTEKS Orhan Caliskan Turkey Organize Sanayi Bolgesi 8. Cadde No:60 Kayseri Tel: +90 352 322 05 88 www.boyteks.com Research reveals that Boytek’s sales are above $100 million, but because much of its revenue comes from mattress ticking production, our estimates conclude that the company’s upholstery sales fall closer to $40 million.

$40 Million ESCOLYS Jean Paul Depraetere Belgium Heirbaan 73, B-8570 Ingooigem, Belgium Tel: 32-056-78-22-00 www.escolys.be Escolys derived its name from the French phrase “l’Escaut et la Lys,” which describes the Scheldt and the Leie rivers in Belgium and also denotes a merging of quality and creativity.

$40 Million* FIORETE GROUP Italy Via Guanzasca, 2 22073 Fino Mornasco Como Italy Tel: 031-882511

Valdese Takes Top Spot on List Personnel Restructuring to Support Growth by Hannah Joseph

ALDESE, North Carolina — In the last year, strategic acquisitions by Valdese Weavers have secured the company the top spot on the list of leading uphol-

stery manufacturing mills. With the acquisition of CIRCA1801, Home Fabrics and Guild 360 Contract, as well as the folding of two large competitors, Valdese has undergone several progressive changes in the last year. “Each of the companies we’ve acquired fit perfectly within our core competence,” said Michael Shelton, president and CEO of Valdese. “They’re very similar

www.fiorete.com Fiorete employs about 250 people in its Veniano and Fino Mornasco facilities. More than 70 percent of production is exported.

$40 Million*

Shuihong Temple Village, Chongxian Town Yuhang District, Hangzhou, China Tel: 0571-86172333 Fax: 86172388-16653 www.zw-fabric.com

SPANDAUER VELOURS

$35 Million

Michael Borofski, general manager Lichtenstein Hartensteiner 60, 09350 Germany www.spandauer-velours.de Spandauer Velours offers Crypton® upholstery fabrics, providing a unique technology that is water and soil resistant. To accomadate the manufacturing of Crypton fabrics, the company installed a 72-meter production line in 2004.

S.A. SANPERE Enrique Terol Spain Ignacio Sagnier, 1-17450 Hostalric, Griona Tel: 972-86-56-00 • Fax: 972 86 56 12 Although Enrique Terol reported the company had over $50 million in sales last year, we have calculated that about $35 million of that was in upholstery and drapery fabrics.

$35 Million* BABEI Yak Wang China 788, Yijing Road, Shengzhou City Zhejiang Province, China Tel: 0086-575-83205523 www.babei.com Founded in 1993, Babei Group Co., Ltd. started as a non-governmantal joint-stock necktie manufacturer that now has grown and formed a combined business pattern integrating upholstery and home textile fabrics and finished products.

$35 Million* CRAFTEX MILLS Jack Egger, senior vice president USA 450 Sentry Parkway Est. Blue Bell, PA 19422 Tel: 610-941-1212 www.craftex.com The first generation of Craftex manufactured piano scarves but the company’s focus shifted to woven jacquard fabrics, which they continue to manufacture today, boasting an archive of more than 30,000 fabrics.

$35 Million* YEBANE Evaristo Clemente, international sales director Spain Carretera d'Alcoi 28 46860 Albaida, Valencia Tel: 34-962-398-020 www.yebane.com

$35 Million* ZHONGWANG HOLDING Yang Lin Shang, general manager China

companies who participate in the same markets as Valdese’s markets with similar products and techniques.” “As of now, we will be marketing our products under five distinct brand names: Valdese Weavers, Valdese Weavers Contract, Circa1801, Home Fabrics by Wesley Mancini, and Valdese International Products (VIP),” said Shelton. The acquisition of the three companies mandated personnel restructuring. “We are just now

www.sipco.net

Alena Muller, Johannes Delius and Mira Schroder, “chilling out” on the Delius lounges at Heimtextil ‘08

$31 Million DELIUS TEXTILES Rudolf Delius, president Germany Goldstrasse 16-18 33602 Bielefeld Tel: +49 521 54 33 60 www.delius-contract.de Delius’ textile roots trace back to 1722, when Johann Caspar Delius founded a linen trading house in the city of Bielefeld. Though the company’s sales were around $123 million in 2007, according to Johannes Delius, about 25 percent of that figure was from fabric (upholstery, drapery, etc.) sales.

The following companies reported sales in 2007 as approximately $30 million, but did not provide exact figures: ABSECON MILLS Randy Taylor, president USA Vienna & Aloe Avenues, PO Box 672 Cologne, NJ 08213-0672 Tel: 609-965-5373 www.absecon.com

announcing some structural changes to our executive organizations that were dictated by the fact that our company is now much larger and diverse than it was a year ago,” said Shelton. “Snyder Garrison has been named chief financial officer and chief administrative officer, and Carson Copeland has been named chief operating officer and they both will be responsible for activities of the entire company, encompassing all brands. Blake Millinor has been named

(Continued on Page 20)

president of the Valdese Weavers Contract division of Valdese Weavers. Zach Taylor has been named senior vice president for sales and marketing and he will be primarily responsible for residential brands of the company. Anita Huffman has been named vice president/controller for Valdese Weavers. These are all promotions that have been dictated by the breadth of the company through acquisition.” For the full story on Valdese, please visit FandFI.com F&FI

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The World Mills 50: USA, Turkey and India Lead ALGEMENE AFW Stefan Verstraetem, Luc Callens Belgium Fabriekslann 50, PO Box 28, B 8880 Ledegem, Belgium Tel: 32-56-50-22-91 www.afw.be

AMERICAN SILK Robin Slough USA 41 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10010 Tel: 212-213-1919 www.americansilk.com

Mag. Manuela Schuster and Claus Salzmann, Baumann Dekor, with Katri Reini, project coordinator, Makinen

BAUMANN DEKOR, BRUDER BAUMANN GESMBH Maximilian Baumann Austria Schremser Strasse 38, 3950 Gmund, Austria Tel: 43-0-282-9008-0 www.baumann.co.at Baumann Dekor launched Charisma Outdoor, its first ever line of outdoor fabrics suitable for the contract business. Fibers in the fabric are colored during the spinning process; they’re not yarn-dyed.

Carretera de Caudete Km 1 03400 Villena-Alicante Tel: 34-96-581-50-01 www.texathenea.com

EPENGLE

WEARBEST SIL-TEX MILLS LTD.

Huseyin Gergerlioglu Turkey Gumussuyu Cad. Ciftehavuzlar Cikmazi 4 Maltepe-Topkanpi 34020 Istanbul Tel: 90-0-212-482-26-60 www.epengle.com.tr About 90 percent of Epengle’s sales are from upholstery and drapery fabric. In 2007, the company added a shiny Trevira CS line to its collections. In 2008, Epengle plans to focus on the contract market.

Irwin Gasner USA 325 Midland Ave Gardfield, NJ 07026 Tel: 973-340-8844 www.wearbest.com Wearbest recently introduced a line of Bella-Dura™ fabric and is in the process of qualifying for MBDC certification.

GEBRUDER MUNZERT

$28 Million

Klaus Munzert, manager Germany Ernst-Richard-Funke-Strasse 17-19 D-95119 Naila-Marlesreuth Germany Tel: 49-9282-309-0 www.munzert.de

ZENITH EXPORTS

$25 Million

S.K. Loyalka, president India B-60 Rampuri, Ghaziabad-201 011 Tel: 91-120-4117425 www.zenithexports.net

TIETEX ASIA

$25 Million REVERT

HANGZHOU CHINASIA

J. Ramon Revert Spain Pol. Ind. IP3-Paseo de La Habana, 6 46890 Agullent Valencia Tel: 96-291-8100 www.revert.es

George Gao, president China Nanshan Industrial Zone Yuhang, Hangzhou Tel: +86-571-8617 2300, 86172717 www.zhongyabuyi.com

TER MOLST

$25 Million

Luc Tack, president of parent company, Harmony Industries Belgium Molstenstraat 42, B-8780 Oostrozebeke, Belgium Tel: 32 56 67 46 14 E-Mail: koen.deruyck@termolst.be

CULP, INC.

DE BALL INC.

TEXATHENEA

Christopher Wood Canada

Susana Ribera Poveda, export manager Spain

Frank Saxon USA Culp Corporate Office, 1823 Eastchester Dr. High Point, NC 27265 Tel: 336-889-5161 www.culpinc.com The majority of Culp’s current sales are in mattress ticking, but the company also sells woven velvet upholstery fabric, which accounts for about $25 million of its annual turnover.

(Continued from cover) JAB, World’s Largest Wholesaler Expands Middle East that area,” he said. “We need to function smoothly and have a smooth transition.” Though Schminnes acknowledged a longheld friendship between him and Oubari, from a business standpoint, he said it was better for the two to “split avenues.” Currently, JAB is doing agent jobs in Syria and Lebanon, moving closer to the Middle Eastern market. However, the company is expanding into many market sectors across the globe. “Our biggest growth markets are Japan, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Eastern Europe,” said Schminnes. “We sat down and asked [ourselves] where we could establish a marketing strategy.” Schminnes noted that the company also targets growth in the saturated markets

$25 Million

433 Chabanel St. W., Suite 1011, North Tower, Montreal, QC H2N 2J9 Tel: 514-381-4216 ext238 www.deballinc.com

JAB’s high-end upholstery fabric appeals to Middle East such as the United States. JAB’s subsidiaries include JAB Anstoetz Teppiche, its carpet company founded in 1974; BW Beilefelder Werkstatten, an upholstered furniture factory;

Stroheim & Romann, a New Yorkbased fabric editor; Chivasso, a Holland-based manufacturer of wallcoverings and furnishing fabric; Carpet Concept, a contract and residential carpet company conceived in 1993; and the recently purchased Gardisette; among other brands. “Chivasso is totally different from where it was in 2000,” Schminnes said, noting that a young management team there has helped contribute to the 450 percent growth Chivasso has seen over the last eight years. Stroheim & Romann, JAB’s 142-year-old, U.S.-based fabric distributor, was purchased by JAB in 1982 and is renowned as one of the oldest and most reputable companies in the industry. According to Schminnes,

www.sipco.net

G.M. SYNTEX India Dalbir Singh, director Wazir Glass Works Lane, JB Nagar Andheri-Kurla Road Andheri(E), Mumbai- 400059 Tel: 91-22-66921560-61-62

$25 Million HIGHTEX CO., LTD. China Yuhang Economic Development Zone Hagnzhou, Zhejiang P.R. China 311100 Tel: 0086 571 86138378 www.hightex168.com

Martin Wildeman Thailand Leam Chabang Industrial Estate, 208 Moo 3 Toong Sukhla, Sriracha District, Chonburi Province, 20230 Tel: 66-38-400947 www.tietex.com

Martin Wildeman

$13 Million UNIDAD TEXTIL PUENTE Enrique Gabayet, president Mexico Juarez 21 Puente de Vigas 54090 Tlalnepantla Tel: 5255-53977811 www.utp.com.mx Although UTP’s sales were significantly less than others on our list, we felt it important to include the company because it is the only textile force in Mexico. UTP plans to increase sales in the coming years by forging new partnerships with other companies to sell its products and increase personnel by 12 percent. F&FI

Stroheim’s business the last few years had been flat, but that is changing due to new marketing strategies and personnel changes. “We had not positioned the brand as it should be and we have to change that,” he said. “We have to focus the sales efforts to reflect the regional differences in the country. The top end line of Stroheim is what’s being exported.” Schminnes took over the operations at Stroheim in August of 2007, when Julian Grauer left the company. Bill Peters, formerly of Osborne & Little, also joined Stroheim last year as president. Schminnes said, “For Stroheim, Peters can influence the brand from A to Z. It’s a much bigger and challenging job for him.” Schminnes also spoke about how he has seen the international textile market change in recent years. “Lots of specialist mills had to close their doors,” he said. “For the very top-end suppliers, there

are specialized mills that do not conduct like a business; they have no continuity. In the supplier world, the mill is supplying to the editeur, but now there are these in-between converters. From the customer side; worldwide the middle end of the market has had major problems. Consumers are floating away and are buying with the Crate & Barrel type stores. The lower end of the market has taken a major market share.” Although Schminnes acknowledged that technology and the Internet have also affected the textile industry, he said that JAB has not seen much of an impact. “The Internet hasn’t changed our market at all,” he said. “Our beauty is that we are not selling readymades. We need an intermediate, like a designer. Someone who wants a custom job is not going on the Internet. You’re not buying 30 yards of a $300 fabric on the Internet.” F&FI

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GLM Adds Incentives to Shows

Show floor at Surtex by Hannah Joseph

EW YORK, New York — New developments by George Little Management, LLC, feature collaborative shows and educational programs to call

attention to two May textile tradeshows. SURTEX, owned and managed by GLM, will feature a conference program titled “The Business of Art…Fundamental Strategies for Success.” In addi-

F& FI T R I B U T E

In Memoriam Sipco News Network

In its 18-year history, Fabrics & Furnishings has had the opportunity to meet some of the most influential people in the world of textiles. Unfortunately, as time has passed, so have many of the moguls that have brought the best qualities of the business to the forefront. This year we lost many of those industry legends, and F&FI would like to commemorate them for their influence, creativity and innovation.

Anthony Degomes, 70

EW YORK, New York — Anthony Degomes, a soft spoken and hard working textiles industry innovator passed away Monday, Feb. 25 after a long illness. A memorial service was held by his family and close friends in Ansonia, Connecticut on February 28. Degomes was born from humble origins in the small town of Pernambuco, Brazil. He joined with Larry Liebenow and Duncan Whitehead as one of three principals of Nortex International, a yarn manufacturer based in Mexico in the late 1970s. This company became the basis of their purchase of Quaker Fabrics Corp., in the 1980s. Under Liebenow, Whitehead and Degomes’ stewardships, Quaker eventually grew to be the largest mill in the world, a publicly traded company with sales at one point in excess of $300 million. Degomes retired from Quaker in April, 2002 and sold out his interests to his other two partners. At the time of his retirement, he was vice president of new product development and helped launch Quaker into the contract fabrics arena. Degomes was a textiles industry consultant after he left Quaker. Although he sold out successfully in a business (Quaker) which eventually went bankrupt in 2007, Degomes never changed his style of living. “His priority was his family and work; he loved both equally but his family always had the

tion, GLM and Immagine Italia & Co. have announced a partnership that will exhibit at the 2008 Global Home Textiles show. Global Home Textiles will run May 6-8, 2008, at the Sands Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV, and showcase its new area for high-end product and distinctive customized booths. The partnership between GLM and Immagine Italia & Co. brings 1012 Italian upscale home fashion companies together to exhibit luxury bed, bath and table linens. “We are looking forward to having these well-known and respected Italian companies participate in Global Home Textiles,” said

edge,” according to his daughter Erika Degomes, 35, the only child of Tony and his wife Elisa. “My father loved Italy and Brazil and travelled there frequently but he was definitely a world traveler,” Erika added. – ES

Jim Fulks, 66

AWTUCKET, Rhode Island — A funeral was held Feb. 8, for Jim Fulks of Microfibres. The former executive vice president died in the first weeks of February in a hotel room in China. He would have been 66 on Feb. 1. Fulks was working on a deal to build a plant for Microfibres in China at the time of his death. He was involved in the flock industry for 30 years or more. Fulks was chairman of the board of directors of Foshan Nanfang Dyeing and Printing Co., LTD., and director of the National Textile Association. He was also a prominent member of several committees including board of directors at Microfibres, the executive committee of the American Flock Association, the NTA Upholstery Fabrics Committee and the National Association of Manufacturers. Microfibres has not yet decided what will happen with his position or when it will be filled, as company representatives have indicated that it is “too soon” to make that decision. Funeral services were held on Friday, Feb. 8 at 9:00 a.m. at the Hill Funeral Home in E. Greenwich, RI. Fulks is survived by his wife, children and grandchildren. – HJ

Sam Kasmir, 60

ALLAS, Texas — After battling a long illness, industry veteran Sam Kasmir died in December at age 60, and the company confirmed that his wife, Linda Kasmir, has taken over as the company’s owner and CEO. Kasmir was head of Kasmir Fabrics, a second-generation decorative fabrics jobber. Kasmir was known to be extremely driven and arrived into the office every day before dawn. Kasmir Fabric’s line of more than 15,000 patterns and colors is sampled in more than 200 sample books and is complemented by 20,000 trim, tie-back and tassel items. The company opened a one-room fabric wholesaling operation in Dallas in the early 1960s and today is a nationwide company encompassing offices in

Penny Sikalis, vice president, global business development. “The exceptional quality of their offerings will set the standard for Luxe Living.” SURTEX, which runs from May 18-20 at New York City’s Javits Convention Center, will include a conference focusing on business, licensing, and the latest trends in design, led by international trend forecasters Milou Ket Styling & Design and Promostyl. The convention will include nine seminars that comprehensively discuss the three tracks. Following the convention will be a “Cruise and Connect” networking party that includes dinner and dancing. SURTEX will feature 400 exhibitors and attract 6,000 visitors. F&FI

ZHEJIANG BABEI TEXTILE CO., LTD hejiang Babei Textile Co.

Ltd. is a weaver jointly

invested in by Babei Group Ltd. and Art Touch Industrial Co. Ltd for USD 15,800,000. We work mainly on the designing, producing and sales of high-end yarn-dyed silk jacquard fabrics for bedding, drapery and upholstery. We also produce polyester fire retardant fabrics for the contract business and the newly licensed multi-functional Bella-Dura fabric for indoor/

Dallas, Miami, St. Louis and San Francisco, each with a service center and showroom. Linda Kasmir politely declined to speak with F&FI. – KH

outdoor furniture and other

Filippo Mambretti, 60

We have installed 66 Staubli

OMO, Italy — On Dec. 3, 2007, suddenly and unexpectedly, Filippo Mambretti passed away. He was 60. “Pippo,” as his closest friends fondly called him, left behind a legacy of patience and care for his 100 employees and the beautiful fabrics made by his venerable firm. In addition, he served as the president of Tessitura Filippo Mambretti SpA, one of the largest weaving mills of the Como area. “He left everybody very upset and speechless, also because he was only 60 years old and he was very fit,” said Denys Annable, one of his many friends and sales agents for the mill. In the small church of Casletto di Rogeno where the mill is situated, Denys recollected the very moving memorial service that took place. The entire Como province took part in this service; the workers, the friends, all close to his great family which included his wife Daniela; his two children Emanuele, 31, and Laura 21; and his three sisters Dina, Betty and Ginny. His nephews and all his relatives were present. In addition, the boys from Mambretti’s pet charity group, “Association of Parents and Friends of Handicapped People La Rosa,” were in evidence at the service. Mambretti was not only the owner of the weaving mill Tessitura Filippo Mambretti SpA, but he held responsible positions in many different areas. He was a member of the board directors of Proposte, and he was one of the founders of Tessilforum – the group of important Italian weavers which shows together at various trade shows. He was also the president of the Lecco Confederation of Industry. Mambretti was very active in various sports and was especially fond of golf. At the service, Mambretti’s son Emanuele was accompanied and supported by his friend Ambrogio Ferri the managing director of the company, and by the entire staff of Tessitura Filippo Mambretti SpA. The company expects to continue to carry on with care and passion in the tradition started by Mambretti’s grandfather in 1920 dedicated to the memory of the founder and his grandson, Filippo. – ES

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commercial uses in the Asian market.

jacquard machines which make it possible for us to produce a variety of jacquard fabrics with different design repeats (the largest repeat size at 140CM) and end counts. We also have 10 Dobby looms for weaving plain fabric or fabric with small repeats. We are able to produce different widths including 140cm, 150cm, 280cm and 300cm which are suitable for different cutting ways. Babei owns one yarn-dyeing mill with Noseda dyeing facilities and one fabric finishing mill — a joint venture with an Italian company. We have invested heavily in adopting the ERP computerized management system, specially designed for Babei Group LTD by Newbrand Software CO., LTD. The system carries out the task of scientific management which coordinates and supervises all production and operation. Not only will this improve our production efficiency, but also it will provide good conditions for operating the whole company with the utmost efficiency. With ‘Innovation, Service, Enhancement’, we will serve our customers sincerely.

Babei FP Winter

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Brady Builds Croscill Export Biz by Eric Schneider

EW YORK, New York — Croscill Home, one of the largest privately held bedding manufacturers in the world, has thrown its hat firmly into the export ring with a broad product offering covering better price points and diverse style ranges. Croscill will be selling its global brand of U.S.-led design into China and India where it produces the bulk of its new collections of upperend merchandise, including its 100 percent washable, all-cotton bedding introduced this past market. The announcement was made by Croscill bedding and window lines president, Julie Brady, who recently added export sales responsibilities to Daphne O’Brien’s job as vice president of international sourcing. “We are focused on the top tier at retail and have no intention of competing in the lower end,” Brady confirmed. Croscill will be turning up at several textile fairs to sell its lines for the first time. “We have high hopes for our success internationally,” she said. “We are using our strength in the U.S. market to launch ourselves globally. Our top end range is White Label and this line is gaining friends for us everywhere in the world. We are now selling our products in China, India, the Middle East, Mexico, Canada and the UK with interest in the

Above: O’Brien and LaRovere; Below: Croscill Cotton bed

Globaltex Bros Sell Prints by Eric Schneider

Benelux region.” In China alone, Croscill has a 30-employee office. “I see further interest coming from Russia for our bedding lines,” O’Brien said. “As a result we are constantly recruiting and adding distributors who service the retail bedding trade. O’Brien teamed up with partner Michelle LaRovere, vice president of bedding and window who joined the company in January. “I am pulling through product to the retailer and working with Daphne who does the sourcing to make sure we get it in time for markets,” said O’Brien. “We have to get the

Zeffirelli Lights Up Proposte

Snapshot from Franco Zeffirelli’s set for La Traviata by Eric Schneider

ILAN, Italy — In attendance at 2008’s Proposte will be a very special guest whose art has provided the inspiration for many of the fabric companies that will be exhibiting. Franco Zeffirelli, the renowned director and production designer of Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata, will attend the XVI Proposte exhibition, and welcoming him will be “The Queen,” a new exhibition symbol created by artist Sergio Toppi especially for the show. Zeffirelli is an internationallyacclaimed director, having won an

product when the customer wants it. It’s a race to the top. It’s about how well we can make it, and we are not competing at the low end.” O’Brien is a seasoned sourcing and export professional with experience in the retail arena as well. She is a native of Melbourne and Brisbane Australia and spent five years in London and seven years in Hong Kong prior to coming to the states in 2000 where she worked for the International Textile Group in Greensboro, NC and then joined Croscill last July. Please see FFI.com for full story. F&FI

Academy Award for his 1968 film version of Romeo and Juliet. He is also known for his elaborate production work, having used elaborate displays of textiles in his works. He has produced for both the Metropolitan Opera in New York and the Rome Opera House. The Queen was created by Sergio Topp, known for his comic work and pen with China-ink illustrations. The Queen gives the exhibition a new image, setting it apart from the realist and pop-art symbols of past years. The XVI Proposte exhibition will be held from May 7-9, 2008 at Villa Erba, Cernobbio, Lake Como. F&FI

www.sipco.net

ANCASHIRE, United Kingdom — “Prints and patterns are back in the fabric business,” said Lee Clarke, managing director and principal of Globaltex, a 9year-old fabric converter. “Globaltex is enjoying resurgence in prints to the point where it’s 50 percent of our business,” according to Lee, who is in the business with his brother, Duncan Clarke. “Europe has been selling more prints in the last couple of years.” “We also import woven goods into the UK from Italy, Belgium, Spain, Turkey and China which we distribute to retailers and designers, but our printed collections have taken off for us because we stock every item for quick delivery in Europe.” The Globaltex products are stocked in a 300,000-square-foot warehouse in Haslingden near Manchester. The printed range is narrow width and pigment printed in the UK in $6-$25 price points per meter in slub cotton or in silk at the higher range. Lee’s brother, Duncan, will help market the prints and the whole collection in the USA based on the West Coast. Lee has 25 years in the textile business and began to show Globaltex product at Decosit in 2005 and was also showing in Hall 3.1 at Heimtextil this year. “I have been exporting fabrics since I was 17 years old,” Lee said. F&FI

Clarke brothers Duncan and Lee

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RUSSIAN POTENTIAL

NANO GREEN

HIGH-TECH JAPAN

Piero Agnetta starts consulting firm in Milan and advises Americans to look toward Russia.

Former Interface Fabrics marketing director pioneers green technology with G3i.

Nippon Interior Fabrics Association hosts 26th Japantex show for more than 30,000 visitors.

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See page 39

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Contract/HospitalityNews T h e

O n l y

N e w s p a p e r

f o r

t h e

S p e c i f i e r

HOTEL OF THE FUTURE I Industry Eyes New Technologies

SSINING, New York — In last year’s Hotel Of The Future article, published in Spring, 2007, ELA Lighting’s director of sales and operations, Scott Jones, told C/HN, “I’d like to say everyone will own a hovercraft, but that’s just not realistic.” We’ve noticed the very nature of “reality” drastically changing. Soon, hotel patrons will explore the world from high above the land or from below it, without leaving their guestrooms, check-in to hotels before leaving the airport and work efficiently from their rooms; all while helping the environment. Little did we know last spring that this day would arrive so soon. by Hannah Joseph

Into Interiors You need not check into a specialty hotel to customize your stay. Factors that will influence the future of hotels including mobility, sustainability, comfort, economic strategies and luxury, translate into the standard guestroom. “One thing that we’re seeing is the office away from the office,” said Herman Miller representative Susan Koole. “With the increase in business travel, we’re seeing a rising interest in ergonomic seating because more people are spending more time in their hotel rooms as an extension of their work environments.” Fred Steckham, national product director of hospitality at HumanScale, also noted the

uprise in demand for ergonomic seating in hospitality. “Ergonomics, like sustainability, is just beginning to foray into the hospitality industry,” he said. “Hotels are branding more and more to specific demographics and psychographics.” The guestroom office concept has created a market for an array of different products and technologies. HumanScale is set to launch its new Diffrient Hospitality Task Light in the third market quarter. The product will allow guests to plug electronics

technology

designer at Gordon Wolf. “What we launched a couple of years ago that is becoming very popular now is the Swarovski crystal adhered to non-woven wall-covering in a silkscreened image.” According to (Continued on page 42)

FLOOR COVERING I Al Kabus Restructures The Mohawk Group Nearly six months after taking seat as president at The Mohawk Group, Al Kabus discusses brand restructuring at the company, his professional journey to date and his increasing passion for sustainable initiatives.

Jean-Marie Massaud directly into the lamp. Though attention has shifted toward practicality and function, aesthetic luxury has not taken a backseat in the guestroom. “We’ve been doing a lot of feature walls,” said Kari Pei, a

The man cloud will fly low enough to allow guests to sightsee without negatively affecting the environment.

by Hannah Joseph

ENNESAW, Georgia — Since Kabus’ appointment as president of The Mohawk Group, the company has restructured its six brands to meet four demand levels of the market: hospitality, high

style and design, high performance and time/budget sensitivity. By consolidating products to four brands from the original six, Kabus believes that Mohawk will be better equipped to cater to the public. “The market works on tighter com lines and economics have made budgets much tighter — people are trying to do more with less,” said Kabus. “When you go from six brands to four, it allows you to deliver more punch. It

TEXTILES I International FR Market Shifts to Accommodate New Needs by Kelley Granger

Trevira CS furnishing fabrics for hotel interiors

SSINING, New York — The market for flame retardant textiles is expanding and adjusting as Middle East and Asian commerce explodes and as value and sustainability remain hot topics. “The market for flame retardant fabrics is growing on a global basis,” said Dr. Ulrich Girrbach, the head of marketing and sales for Trevira CS, a leading manufacturer of flame retardant fibers. “The demand for safety in public premises is an issue in which developing countries such as China and India are looking into very seriously.” Girrbach mentioned the Middle East as another area that is building at a tremendous rate and will necessitate fire safety parameters. “Regulations are being implemented and/or tightened in these regions and the enforcement is going to be increased as well,” he said. Trevira, which has experienced a 10 percent growth since 2006, attributes the progress to a strong demand for their specialties and expansion to these budding areas. “An important reason [for the growth] is that we are able to build a demand for branded Trevira CS in the booming Middle East and

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allows us to identify much more easily with our customer and for them to understand us better.” Clients will see not only organizational, but also stylistic changes at the Mohawk Group. The company is Al Kabus, president of The Mohawk Group currently focusing its creative efforts on producing a color bank that will make a “bold” statement to its clients. “The other thing [our clients] will see is conti(Continued on page 38)

Inside Contract/ Hospitality News In Spring 2007, C/HN called attention to the green movement with a new “Eco-friendly” icon for articles featuring news on sustainability. This Spring, C/HN introduces a “technology” icon which calls attention to new ideas and forward thinking design. Look for it from now on. —Kelly Hushin, Senior Editor

y technology

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FR Market Shifts to Accommodate New Needs Eastern Europe,” Girrbach said. Trevira has placed representatives in the Middle East, Japan and China as part of an effort to become more global. In December, the company initiated an assembly in Dubai to address fire protection and has been actively promoting the brand at Chinese fairs. The need for flame retardant products in burgeoning areas has spurred an

Left: Dr. Ulrich Girrbach, marketing, Trevira CS; Right: Harvey Nudelman, president of Fabricut increasing number of competitors. “Of course there are more manufacturers of flame retardant yarns showing up, especially in Asia,” said Girrbach. He added that

regardless of new competition, Trevira, which has been in the market for more than 28 years, is still in a favorable position. “We and our partners have built a high level of confidence in the product which carries our name,”

he said. “This market requires sustainable business relationships and is not a place for the quick dollar.” Suzette McHugh, the Avora® FR market manager for INVISTA, has also noticed more entrants into the market who are looking to fill a niche. “Competition has increased,”

McHugh said. “As commodity markets have become more competitive, everyone is seeking a specialty niche which will command a higher margin or premium. For this reason, new vendors are entering into this market to enhance their product portfolio and improve profits.” McHugh also noted the pressure for lower prices, which she said has opened the door to alternative and/or lower cost FR solutions such as topical treatments and FR blends. “The market must balance the issue of price versus safety, reputation and reliability,” McHugh said. Avora FR products, in the market for nearly 30 years, are made from INVISTA inherent flame resistant polyester fibers and yarns. Fabricut president Harvey Nudelman, whose company is the sole U.S. purveyor of FR-One polyester fabrics, said he does not feel a stress for lower prices. “I do not feel pressure for cheaper FR fabrics,” Nudelman said. “They are well-valued today and I doubt if prices will go down.” The fabrics, used for window, bedding, upholstery and contract, pass every flammability test in the world and each dye lot is tested. “[FR-One] has extreme value in pricing related to its qualities,” Nudelman said. “It’s a top-of-theline textile without having to pay an enormous increase to get the benefits. I think people are looking to develop more green FR fabrics because the hospitality business is extremely interested in the green movement,” Nudelman said. FROne attains the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 rating, which requires a number of conditions to be met for environmental and human health safety. “All Oeko-Tex fabrics are free of carcinogenic dye-stuffs and all allergenic dye-stuffs, creating a skin-friendly pH,” Nudelman said. Trevira CS also achieves the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 rating. “Oeko-Tex lists a huge number of chemical substances which must not be present on a fabric,” said Girrbach. Girrbach also said that polyester, which both INVISTA and Trevira use to produce fibers and yarns, is essentially a “green” product in itself, being non-toxic and environmentally friendly. The material requires less energy and water in washing and drying and uses less detergent thanks to easy stain removal. “We implemented a constant improvement process already in (Continued on page 32

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Nader Oubari Splits from JAB; Starts Business by Eric Schneider and Kelley Granger

UBAI, United Arab Emirates — Decorative fabrics veteran Nader Oubari has formed a new decorative wholesaler showroom, called Jabtex International LLC; a name that was approved by the department of economic development in Dubai. Oubari established the showroom with his Indonesian wife,

working for nearly 40 years. His extensive experience began in Holland as Anna Export before he went on to work with several German producers in the 60’s and 70’s. Those included Schmitz Werke and Unland, followed by German wholesaler JAB Anstoetz, led by Chris Jacob Schminnes. Oubari then presented P/Kaufmann in the Middle East and was also the exclusive distributor of Kobefab of Holland in the

Nadar Obari with wife Nadera Toifur Achmad Nadera Toifur Achmad, in order to continue to bring high-end style to Dubai’s fast paced market. Achmad’s experience includes work with an American firm making wooden accessories for furniture and she has now completed a design course. Oubari is training his wife in the textile business in which he’s been

U.A.E. when he started his showroom business about 15 years ago. There is now some disagreement with JAB management over their arrangement with Oubari but this situation most likely will be resolved. The recently married Oubaris have acquired lines from wholesalers and distributors in the United States, France and South Africa including Fabricut, Erre Erre, Bernard Camengo and one line (not yet named) from South Africa. “We have many more lines to come,” Oubari said. The new business offers varieties of fabrics and is housed in the 4,500-square foot showroom, one of the largest in Dubai today. F&FI

(Cont. from page 30)

FR Market Shifts

Fr-One’s black stripe sheer the 1980s,” Girrbach said. “Trevira CS is a product made to measure. This means that the fabric manufacturer will need less finishing or processing steps than with conventional textiles, because the fibers of our comprehensive portfolio have received their required function already in our spinnery.” Other changes in the FR industry include the relocation of Trevira’s textured yarn production and a new INVISTA FR fiber and yarn supply chain. As part of a restructuring program, Trevira will be moving its textured yarn production from Denmark to a new facility in Poland in the next few years. INVISTA has set up an FR fiber and yarn supply chain to Asia. “In response to changing market dynamics and the movement of many of our customers and their affiliates off-shore, INVISTA has established an FR fiber and yarn supply chain in Asia to meet customer needs,” McHugh said. “INVISTA will sell these inherent FR products globally for the production of licensed and certified Avora FR fabrics.” F&FI

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Agnetta Urges USA to Export Fabric to Russians by Eric Schneider

EW YORK, New York — “Russia has become the richest country for purchasing textiles,” according to Piero Agnetta, principal of L.M. Consulting, a newly established consulting firm based in Milan, Italy. Agnetta, 57, is an import/export veteran with many years behind him in representing Italian textiles. He said he named L.M. Consulting

after his son Ludovico and his wife Marierosa. Based on his success with Italian goods in Russia, he wonders why more American firms are not participating in the Russian market for textiles. “The American dollar has dropped so far that American fabrics should be readily sold in Russia today,” he said. He suggested that Americans should attend Heimtextil Russia if they want to learn more about the

Ludovico Agnetta and his father, Piero Agnetta

Russian market. Italian firms like Mambretti, Giber and Fiorete are selling upmarket products in Russia today, anywhere from 8 to 17 euros per meter in upholstery and 20 euros for three meter widths in drapery, he said. “Based on a poor economy at home, the Italians had to find new markets for their products to survive and Russia is now their ‘El Dorado,’” he said. He also expressed that Italian suppliers are selling less yardage at higher prices today, especially in Russia. Originally an agent, Agnetta no longer works on a commission basis. “As a consultant, our clients pay us on a fee basis,” he said. “We work with office furniture manufacturers like Sagsa, fabric producers like Giber and also for exhibitions like Fiera Milano. I have spent the last two years, traveling every month to Russia for at least three days a month.”

“The American dollar has dropped so far that American fabrics should be readily sold in Russia today.” —Agnetta “Moscow is a very expensive destination,” he said. “For example, a night at one of the four Marriotts in Moscow goes for 400 euros a night!” Agnetta said that Russia is the number one market for the export of office furniture for lines like Haworth and Steelcase. “They like the American goods in Russia,” he said. He also said he likes the Russian people but, “they need to trust you completely since fabric is paid for in advance. The Russians know everything there is to know about fabric.” Interviewed while in New York for a selling trip with his son Ludovico, Agnetta said the USA is mainly a jobber based market. “Jobbers are looking for quality goods in the 15 euro range for residential products,” he said. “For contract fabrics, the jobber market is very fixed in their pricing and maybe the Italian goods will work for the contract market in the states in the future. I see a lot of chenille in heavy looking draperies as well as velvets selling in Russia right now.” Agnetta works with the American agent Michael Paul who represents Giber in the States. Agnetta has also had success selling to Korea and the Middle East, and has traveled to many locations in the world during his career, including India. “India is starting to buy better goods,” he noted. “But it is really a place for European mills to produce.” F&FI

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Scoperta p35 Spring08.qxd

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Scoperta

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the trade fair for f u r n i s h i n g fa b r i c s a n d c u r ta i n s Pa l a p e n z h a l l , C h i a sso, Sw i tze r l a n d

NOW IN Chiasso Scoperta 2008 will now be held in Chiasso on the Swiss / Italian border. Only 15 minutes from Cernobbio at the Lake Como. Naturally we will be providing shuttle transport from Cernobbio to Scoperta in Chiasso. For more information and to pre-register visit >>>

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Evans Joins Fleetwood, Co. Doubled Sales in ’07 by Eric Schneider

REENSBORO, North Carolina — Fleetwood Fine Furniture, a 35-year-old manufacturer, is reaping the benefits of maintaining a small plant with high standards while still being able to produce larger quantities for bigger jobs in plants outside of North America according to Rick E. Evans, vice president of sales and marketing.

The company doubled sales in 2007 and expects double digit growth in 2008, Evans said. With 25 years of furniture experience behind him, Evans joined Fleetwood Fine Furniture one year ago and is positioning the Canadian based producer of handfinished custom guestroom furniture to capture even more four to five star jobs. “We want to attract any property from a boutique hotel of 100 rooms as well as important

hotel chains with 1,000-room projects,” Evans said. “Our global factories can produce custom product on par with the quality of our main 200-man plant in Toronto. Our marketing theme this year is ‘Art of fine furniture.’ Our furniture has the look and quality demanded by the most discriminating designers. The furniture we produce utilizes the most exotic hardwood from Africa, South America, Asia and North

Rick Evans

America. We also use a European finish that brings out the beauty of these materials.” Fleetwood employs workers with Eastern European roots who settled in Toronto. “They are a product of their family’s experience and knowledge of furniture,” said Evans. “This old world craftsmanship lives on in our work force and our customers demand it along with environmentally friendly furniture. We now have eco friendly furniture processes to meet LEED requirements.” Some of Fleetwood’s recent jobs include the 270-room Stoneleigh boutique hotel in Dallas designed by Forrest Perkins. In Las Vegas last year, the company supplied MGM Grand and Red Rock as well as Auberge Solage, a 100-room California project which also opened last year. F&FI

Herman Miller Acquires Brandrud Furniture Sipco News Network

Phone : 800.665.0314

sales@fleetwoodfinefurniture.com

www.fleetwoodfinefurniture.com

www.sipco.net

EELAND, Michigan — Herman Miller, Inc., announced that it finalized the purchase of Brandrud Furniture, Inc., a Seattle-based manufacturer of healthcare furniture. Details of the transaction were not disclosed. An alliance partner of Herman Miller since 2005, Brandrud carries an appealing portfolio of healthcare furnishings, including seating products for patient rooms, patient treatment areas, and public spaces such as lobbies and waiting areas. “This is an exciting time for Herman Miller,” said Beth Nickels, president of Herman Miller for healthcare. '”There is tremendous energy and focus as we continue to deliver the industry's most comprehensive healthcare furnishings and services portfolio to our customers.” Lee Falck and Bobby Holt will remain co-presidents of Brandrud. The two acquired Brandrud in 2000 and have since launched several successful healthcare seating programs. “Brandrud and Herman Miller share similar values and a commitment to research and development, which makes this an ideal arrangement,” added Falck. F&FI

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Baldinger Plans Initiatives for Future by Kelley Granger

STORIA, New York — Howard Baldinger, president of Louis Baldinger & Sons and Baldinger Architectural Lighting, has taken lead of the company and planned a number of initiatives since his father’s July passing. As the fourth generation Baldinger, Howard Baldinger joined the company in 1985, and became president last summer. He said the company continues to balance the craft’s traditions with the latest technology to create high quality products. “There’s a combination of old school new school methodologies,” Baldinger said. “We have hand-craftsmen that are multiple generation craftsmen downstairs in the factory. We blend the old school and the new school by having updated manufacturing techniques using computerized equipment and a lot of automated processes but blending in the hand craftsmanship to make everything specific to each customer.”

Silver is soldered to become a wall sconce arm at the Gaylord National Hotel in Washington, D.C.

tures from a Brooklyn workshop. The company moved into electric lighting and during the war period, shifted to supplying the military with other items and closed down for a short time when copper became unavailable. In 1955 the founder’s grandson, Daniel Baldinger, took over the company and fostered tremendous

growth by creating a new product line and relocating the business to Astoria, N.Y. “He was the genius behind continuing the growth from what was a much smaller company to creating a great reputation for the Louis Baldinger and Sons business,” Baldinger said. At that time,

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the company began creating more chandelier work and unique objects for the architectural market. In 1982, Baldinger & Sons was commissioned by Michael Graves to manufacture custom-designed lighting and by 1986, Daniel Baldinger had formed sister company Baldinger Architectural Lighting, which offers lighting fixtures designed by world-renowned architects and designers. Today the company employs 120 people in the Astoria factory. F&FI

L to R: Faux Venetian crystal, faux cast crystal, faux onyx. The lighting company, which manufactures standard and custom lighting fixtures, will aim to increase exports, pursue more efficient use of electricity and will introduce a quality agenda with an internal training program for employees. “We certainly have plans for reexpansion into the international market,” Baldinger said. “We had more business there before, but the domestic market was hot and we centered our focus back into the domestic market. We’re now reinvesting our time back into the international markets.” Baldinger said the company is particularly looking toward the booming Middle East and Asian markets. “We’re an environment of continuous improvement,” Baldinger said. “Every department is now looking at ways they can do things better, more effectively, more efficiently.” Louis Baldinger & Sons was founded in 1893 and manufactured decorative gas lighting fix-

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Al Kabus Restructures The Mohawk Group nuity,” said Kabus. “We’ll be able to service them from basement to boardroom. We’ll make it easy to place all the levels of sophistication in our line.” Lees and Mohawk will show at Neocon in one newly designed LEED accredited space that will tell the story of the comprehensive Mohawk Group. In July of 2007, Al Kabus brought to The Mohawk Group

over 20 years of expertise in commercial flooring, entrepreneurship, and software know-how. Kabus also founded several successful software companies since 2000 including BlueBolt Networks, a program targeted at raising digital standards for imaging and text in the commercial interiors industry. “In 1999, I left a corporate executive position to exercise my

The Mohawk Group showroom in New York City.

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entrepreneurial genes and challenge myself,” Kabus said. “I wanted to find out who I was without my business card. The greatest perspective I’ve gotten [from my experience] is on what makes a company successful or not. How you get teamwork going in the company, how you get innovation and creative stimulation — these experiences have all helped me think on a broader scale.”

“When they brought me in, they asked me to sit back and start to think about how to strategically reconfigure the company assets to best meet market needs,” Kabus continued, acknowledging that he was initially surprised by the amount of freedom that came with his position. The freedom has enabled him to effectively oversee the stylistic and sales-driven changes that have taken place. “In the Mohawk Group, there is a tremendous thirst for development and teamwork,” he said. “We’ve started to break down the walls, connect people and drive the company with a terrific energy.” While Kabus continues to oversee sales, marketing and customer operations for the commercial brands, he must also help The Mohawk Group pioneer sustainable development. The Mohawk Group was recently honored by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) National Furniture Center (NFC) with the 2007 Evergreen Award for its continued dedication to improving energy and resource efficiencies. A month prior to winning the award, Mohawk unveiled its GreenWorks Center; the first of its kind to process synthetic carpet fiber as well as recycle 90 percent of waste into usable products. Mohawk’s other sustainable processes include Encycle, a modular carpet backing system that can be completely recycled without further processing, SMARTbook, a program that uses digital photography reproductions to reduce the amount of raw materials used for carpet samples by 63 percent, and ReCover, a program that recycles all carpeting in reclamation centers around North America. Kabus believes that environmental consciousness is not widespread enough. “Flooring is a relatively insignificant portion of building construction,” Kabus said. “We make a lot to do about something that is a small piece of the building when we all have to become more progressive and buy into similar standards.” As for future green initiatives at Mohawk, Kabus said that the ultimate goal is to eliminate what he refers to as liability — the permanent waste created by material production. Mohawk will continue to attack the problem in a projectoriented way. “Mohawk is the largest flooring company in the world so we have to do a better job of positioning our assets and helping our customers by simplifying our processes,” he said. F&FI

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G3 Technology Innovations Target Textiles Bennotti Introduces GreenShield™ Finish by Kelley Granger

dl en y

ITTSFORD, New York — Paul Bennotti, the former director of marketing strategy for Interface Fabrics’ eco-conscious Terratex, is continuing his o- fri involvement in susc e tainable initiatives as vice president of marketing and communications for G3 Technology Innovations (G3i). G3i, a start-up company helping pioneer green nanotechnology, has developed GreenShield™, a finish obtained by changing the surface of nanoparticles. Known as surface functionalization, the process can impart stain and water resistant, anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, anti-static and flame retardant properties to textiles.

chemicals lessens health risks, decreases their release into the environment and enhances a textile’s recyclability. According to Bennotti, there is no one else in the U.S. textile business with this type of technology, though some European companies have similar methods with different patents. “I know in a matter of years this will make a remarkable difference,” Bennotti said. He added that G3i is looking to expand the

technology to other industries, like medical and dental applications. Bennotti became involved with G3i after spending 14 years at Interface Fabric under founder Ray Anderson, who Bennotti said had “an epiphany about manufacturing’s impact on the environment.” Bennotti said that every division of Interface was absorbed into this thinking, and employees were trained at length

about sustainability. It was this interest in sustainability that led to the creation of Terratex, which Bennotti said was the first fabric made from recycled polyester to be branded and marketed in the industry. “Green at that time didn’t have the depth that it has today, so it was really sort of a new concept,” Bennotti said. “Now

technology

the whole marketplace, the whole textile industry, has gone green. People’s awareness and consciousness has really changed about how the little steps, like a fabric, can change the impact on the environment. It’s really sort of the deepening or growing up of the environmental textile business. It’s new innovations that allow fabrics to do more, be greener.” Bennotti said that companies (Continued on page 40)

A d v e r t i s e m e n t

Il Legato di Filippo Mambretti:

Tradizione e innovazione – una entità ideale per sfidare il futuro

The Heritage of Filippo Mambretti: Tradition and Innovation – An ideal combination to

L'improvvisa scomparsa di Filippo

brave the future

Mambretti, uno degli imprenditori più importanti nell'ambito dell'industria tessile Italiana ha

The sudden passing of Filippo

scioccato tutti, dai dipendenti

Mambretti, one of the leading

dell'azienda alle alte cariche

players in the Italian textile

istituzionali della Lombardia, ricca

industry has shattered

regione del nord d'Italia dove

everybody, from staff members

ha sede l'industria.

of the company to notabilities from institutions in Lombardy,

Paul Bennotti

a rich region in the north of

finanziario delle imprese tessili di

Italy, chair of the industry.

famiglia, Filippo Mambretti ha

“In the process of being able to make the nanoparticles do this, they dramatically reduce the use of harmful chemicals,” Bennotti said. As an example, he cited the use of potentially carcinogenic fluorocarbons to resist stains. “G3i can reduce their use, on average, by 10 times.” G3i is also able to provide flame retardant properties using no brominated compounds (commonly used industry chemicals whose safety has raised speculation). G3i’s website states that GreenShield FR on polyester will pass the most rigorous flammability tests, such as CA 117, FMVSS 302 and more. Other benefits include permanent adhesion to fabrics, which keep any nanoparticles from becoming airborne, and the opportunity to earn LEED points by using the finish. For these reasons, Bennotti said that GreenShield provides multiple benefits to the consumer and the environment. Using fewer

Spring 2008 ■ F&FI

Oltre ad occuparsi della aspetto

anche ricoperto numerose cariche

Besides being the financial

nei diversi organi di categoria

head of the family owned

contribuendo a far conoscere sia

companies, Filippo Mambretti

nel suo territorio l'importanza

occupied several positions in

dell'industria tessile nell'

the industry and contributed to

ambito dell'arredamento,

publicize the importance of the

sia impegnandosi per far

textile industry in the area of

conoscere all'estero la

home furnishings. He committed

qualità del Made in Italy.

himself to promote Made in Italy quality on an International level.

Filippo che aveva compiuto

www.sipco.net

60 anni a settembre

Filippo who just accomplished

lascia nelle mani dei due

his 60th year in September

figli la gestione dell'

left the business management

impresa di famiglia.

for his two children.

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Designtex Forms New Creative Team Creative Directors Will Fuse Design and Marketing by Kelley Granger

dl en y

EW YORK, New York — Designtex has announced the formation of a new creoec fri ative team that will collaborate with the marketing department headed by Cherie Davis, to unify design and branding. Designtex President and CEO Tom Hamilton named Kimberle

(Cont. from page 39)

Bennotti Continues Eco-Work that are trying to go green should have the right mindset. “You have to be prepared and committed to the big picture,” he said. “Moving into environmental products is not easy. You have to do it for the right reasons.” But Bennotti also reminds that companies don’t have to figure everything out themselves. “Connect with people who are readily available to help you learn and change your practices to become more green,” he advised. “People don’t have to do it all on their own. There’s a lot of people who are willing to help with their experience.”

Frost and Rich Morrow co-creative directors for the company, and announced that they would be involved in promotional efforts as well as design. Duties will now include product design and launching, company advertising, public relations, events and promotion. “There’s so much product on the market now you really have to separate yourself and have a vision,” Frost said. “I feel there’s a renewed excitement with the two departments that will only produce greater work.” Frost said the design and marketing teams were previously directed in different ways. The new combined team will work to create greater consistency within the company. “Our collections are a cohesive story, but it’s also about how we’re portrayed in the market,” Morrow said. “Tom felt it went full circle to

Top: Patterns from Designtex’s Abstract Matters Collection; Right: Designtex’s co-creative directors Rich Morrow and Kimberle Frost. bring them together.” The two new directors said they will work to create a strong message and reinforce their visibility in the market with a number of changes planned for the coming year. “We have so many changes to make and so many things coming down the pipeline,” Frost said. According to Morrow, one change will be the removal of

labels that refer to products as made for hospitality or home to avoid classification. “Why should we tell someone how to use this product?” he asked. The team will also work to strengthen its sustainable mission statement. “Designtex has always had a very strong practice with sustainable products,” Morrow said.

Valley Forge Promotes FRESH Line by Hannah Joseph

EW YORK, New York — Valley Forge continues to launch FRESH, a completely sustainable line of fabrics. The largest hospitality fabric supplier held a presentation entitled The Power of One: FRESH fabrics — Recycled Myth & Reality, on Feb. 4 at The Muse Hotel. Line designers Celerie Kemble, Mimi McMakin and Brooke Huttig joined the reception along with speaker and company vice president Diana Dobin, to promote FRESH and discuss environmentally friendly practices and products.

Red Scheme of FRESH FRESH, which consists of 100 percent recycled and recyclable polyester, comes with a Valley Forge guarantee that the company will arrange to have these fabrics recycled at the end of their life cycles.

The first FRESH collection was released in May 2007 at HD Expo. FRESH presentations began in December of 2007 and have toured through the U.S. The second FRESH collection, which was released in February, introduced a chenille construction. The next collection, which will include new constructions and patterns, is due for launch in spring of 2008. ''Reclamation is the most important thing in my mind, said Dobin. ''We don’t want the product to end up in a landfill at the end of its life; that’s why we're educating now. We've given the FRESH presentations in all the large hotel companies, and the receptions have been with open arms.'' F&FI

Nippon Interior Fabrics Association Exports High Performance Functional Fabrics GreenShield™ technology makes water, wine and soy sauce bead up and roll off the fabric

OKYO, Japan — The recently concluded 26th edition of Japantex, organized by Nippon Interior Fabrics Association at Tokyo Big Site attracted more than 32,335 visitors. Japan, the second largest technologically advanced country after United States, showoec fri cased a wide range of interior furnishings that meet high technical specification as well as green-friendly merchandise, displaying a revival of natural ecofriendly driven products.

dl en y

Bennotti said it’s exciting to be on the cusp of innovation with G3i and he continues to be impressed with the progress in sustainable options. “What’s really fascinating to me is how fast and how big the environmental impact happened within the textile industry,” he said. “We’re talking 10 years going from first recycled fiber to industry standard. I like to think that I had a part in that evolution, that I did make a difference.” F&FI

by S. Vishwanath

“Our population is static; growth of new built houses is limited and the business momentum is dull,” said Mr. Hiroshi Aoto, chairman of Nippon Interior Fabrics Association and also the president of Kawashima Selkon Textiles Company Limited, Japan. “Indeed, we produce very high quality fabrics with the most advanced technology but we are losing edge in competitive pricing and further reducing manufacturing cost is limited. Nippon Interior Fabrics Association is now keen to export high quality fabrics to America and Europe. High per-

formance functional fabrics made by Japanese companies will be greatly appreciated in American and European markets since Japanese manufacturers always meet tough Japanese building laws and equal emphasis is now given to eco-friendly production and use of recycled materials.” A case example was Sumi Green SG-300 pile carpetsFR displayed by Sincol Interior Co, Ltd, Japan, which ensure that a mere 19 percent carbon dioxide emission is maintained. Many Japanese

technology

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(Continued on page 45)

“We’re leaders in the industry. We realized we need to look in our own backyard and get the company behind us.” The team is planning to extend the sustainable education they offer clients to their own employees, and work on taking company environmental policies to the next level. Frost said this will create an “ownership” of the company’s sustainability mission among employees. “We have an opportunity to really put a fast forward on that,” she said. “It will be really noticeable at NeoCon, from our fabrics to our showroom. At NeoCon it will be a totally sustainable environment and product.” Frost also mentioned that at HD Expo in Las Vegas, N.V., Designtex will be the first in the market to debut a Cradle-toCradle FR Trevira product. As the team works on blending products into one vision, they will also be working on creating sustainability initiatives, allowing salespeople to have better impact on customers. While this will include an updated website and collaborations with designers, further information could not be revealed. “This will be an exciting year,” Frost said. “It will be a year of change for Designtex.” Frost, who has worked in Designtex’s hospitality division for 14 years, and Morrow, who has led studio operations and the contract textile and wallcovering development for four years, said they have a great dynamic and are pleased with the launch of the team. “The better part of design is when there’s collaboration,” Morrow said. “We get a lot of work done but we do have fun. I think it’s a great atmosphere that makes it more productive.” Designtex is a fabric converter based out of Manhattan. They produce a broad range of interior design products for the residential and contract industry including wallcoverings, hand-tufted rugs and architectural panels. F&FI

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Match ad FFI Spring-QX7:Layout 1

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SUPPLIERS: Meet the Decision Makers! We will guarantee, qualify and pre-arrange one-to-one meetings with the most senior decision makers in hospitality. You will spend 3 days conducting meetings, meals and activities to develop relationships with buyers that will last a lifetime. Get closer to your customer by spending more quality time with them!

‘‘

I participate in Match because I prefer the one-on-one contacts with vendors. This organized and focused format gives me the opportunity to offer feedback and talk to the decision makers who can actually make changes. The upscale venue is small, intimate and relaxing making it an excellent environment to conduct business.

”

— Abby Burden, Senior Designer HBA/Hirsch Bedner & Associates

BUYERS: Be our VIP Have fun while discovering new hospitality vendors in an intimate environment! We’ll cover your: round trip airfare, 3-night hotel, all food & beverage. Weekend event • Don’t miss time out of the office!

For more information, please visit: www.HospitalityMatch.com or contact Michael Schneider, President, Sipco Publications & Events 914.923.0616 x14 michael@sipco.net

SHOWS:

MIDDLE EAST Dubai: June 3-5 ‘08 Hyatt Regency, Dubai, UAE

USA Pasadena, CA: July 17-19 ‘08 The Langham Huntington Hotel & Spa Space is Limited! Registrations due One Month Prior to Event

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Te c h n o l o g y

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C / H N e w s

(Cont. from page 28)

Hotel of the Future: Industry Eyes New Technologies

Pei, super-scaled images, texture oriented and custom made wallcoverings are becoming more prominent. Lighting designers now look for ways to fuse design and energy conservation. “From what we’re seeing, [hospitality venues] want to have the same decorative looks as they’ve always had but with a focus on fluorescent lighting instead of incandescent or halogen,” said general manager of Studio Italia USA, David Weisinger. “High-end hotels don’t want the fluorescent look but they want to fit with energy efficient regulations.”

Dubai, the Crescent Hydropolis Resort will be an extravagant luxury hotel for guests who want to experience the ultimate underwater experience. The hotel will be split into three structures: the land station will welcome guests; the connecting tunnel will house a train system that transports guests to the main hotel, which will house 220 suites. According to company representatives, several countries have expressed interest in funding the project and Crescent Hydropolis might realize its dreams of becoming a chain hotel.

technology

Braving the Elements Be it by land, water, or air — architects, engineers and designers have begun to reshape the way we view the hotel industry. Three current projects embody new directions in escapist accommodation heads. The Manned Cloud Cruise Airship, a flying hotel proposed by French designer Jean-Marie Massaud, will literally bring sightseeing to the guest’s bedroom door… or rather, window. Each of the 20 guestrooms will have wallto-wall windows, allowing guests to view landscapes and landmarks from their beds. “The objective of Manned Cloud is less a means of transportation than a means of sightseeing,” said Massaud representative Aurélie Ullrich. ”Therefore, it would fly low enough to visit and enjoy most places with as little impact as possible. The major issue for an attractive site today is the impact of tourism: the needs for infrastructures (airport, hotels, etc.) modify the site, and most of the time, destroy its original interest. Manned Cloud has an ideal goal to allow enjoying the beauty of our planet without leaving traces.” Currently under construction in

Turning Green Many companies and venues now face the difficult balancing act of minimizing costs while promoting environmental sustainability. San Francisco’s “greenest” hotel, Orchard Garden Hotel, pioneers the forefront of sustainable hospitality with a range of technologies. According to general manager Stefan Muhle, the Orchard Garden Hotel recently purchased shower heads that dispense 1.5 gallons of water per minute (gpm) instead of the 3 or 4 gpm that shower heads traditionally dispense. The hotel uses lowflow toilets that produce 1.5 gallons per flush. Another simple technology at the Orchard Garden Hotel is the keycard system in each guestroom that controls lights and air-conditioning. When the guest leaves the room, electrical circuits are disabled. “I think [these technologies] will be standard in the next five to ten years,” said Muhle. “At this point many hotels are still shying away from going green because they have to pay a premium or a fine

also works well in hotel restaurants and lounges, allowing guests to sit down around the table and pull up a wine menu, learn about each wine, and look at prices. When they have ordered a specific wine and placed it on the table, an interactive map of that wine’s origin will appear. “The three common consumer pain points we heard repeatedly is that technology is intimidating, isolating and inconvenient,” said Jeff Gattis, director of product management at Microsoft Surface Computing. “We believe that Surface solves these pain points and offers a more inviting, collaborative and accessible technology experience for end-users.” Clockwise from Top Left: Microsoft Surface used with wine application; The Cubi is 7m squared in dimension; Ergonomic seating by Herman Miller; Motorola’s CA50 facilitates efficient hotel management and do a lot of research, but as materials become more available it’s going to change the way they’re built.” “I’m not looking at a single bottom line anymore; there is a triple bottom line,” said Muhle. “I want to take care of the community, take care of our staff, and the profits will fall into place. If you take care of the community then you will have more clients. If you get your employees excited in the profits and the cause, everything comes full circle.”

Intelligent Design Guest service can range from room maintenance to check-in, to hotel restaurants and all amenity-related services. The technology that benefits clients most will enable hotel management to learn about and attend to clients’ needs. “There is a technology that allows management to know when a customer has reached the valet,” said Lee Holman, lead retail analyst of the IHL Consulting Group. “If Mr. and Mrs. Smith go to their favorite restaurant, hosts will be alerted to their arrival and automatically know what their favorite table and preferred drinks are. [In Hotels], technology is not going to be the main attraction. The competition really stems more from the hospitality side —

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they want to service their customers.” The newly-launched Motorola CA50, a VoIP-enabled wireless bar code scanner allows hotel staff to communicate with each other via walkie-talkie, personal calls and mass text messaging, increasing management capabilities. Maintenance staff can use it to scan barcodes as a means of checking off cleaned rooms. “You can give the CA50 to cleaning staff to accelerate productivity and enhance the clients’ experience,” said Mark Self, vice president of Retail Industry Solutions Group at Motorola's Enterprise Mobility business. “You might have someone check in who has allergy challenges. The CA50 will allow you to deploy orders to staff to clean something without making the client wait longer than necessary…There is an increasing appetite to give workers task devices so that they can do their jobs better.” Launched in January of 2008, the Microsoft Surface allows guests to interact with software using their hands in lieu of the traditional mouse and keypad. The glass surface “recognizes” fingertips, natural movements, and inanimate objects. In the hotel setting, the Surface might function as an interactive concierge, advertising local points of interest. The table

Peas in a Pod (Hotel) The first Japanese Capsule hotel opened in 1979, introducing a revolutionary approach to hospitality design. Located in city centers, Capsule hotels provide an easy and cheap alternative to staying in a hotel. “Japanese businessmen have frequented capsule hotels for some time, but recently they have become increasingly popular with overseas tourists,” said Tosikazu Odajima, director of sales and marketing at Capsule Inn Akihabara. Designers and architects in several European countries recently developed their own adaptations of the Capsule’s compact design. The Qbic hotel is a pod-style type of hotel for the “no frills” type of guest. Each room in a Qbic hotel is furnished solely with a “Cubi,” cube-shaped installation that comes complete with a dining set, extra long bed, LCD TV and full bathroom. The aluminum unit takes up very little space while offering guests the basic necessities starting at 69 euros a night. “Our thought [was] that travelers were ready for something new,” said Maxine Hofman, a representative of Qbic Hotels. “No one wants to pay for facilities of a hotel you don’t use. Qbic offers efficiency and design in the room.” Qbic Hotels have already been built in several locations including one in Amsterdam, that opened in July of 2007, and also Antwerp and Maastricht which are both scheduled to open in 2008. “There is more than 6 million square meters of empty office space only in Holland,” said Hofman. “Qbic Hotels is an efficient, short term solution for these buildings.” She also noted that there are currently two more serious candidates in Western European cities. F&FI

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Messe Frankfurt Declared it Was ‘Time to Be…’ FRANKFURT, Germany — Messe Frankfurt’s home turf was infiltrated with thousands of exhibitors and visitors for the annual Heimtextil Frankfurt fabric fair, the largest of its kind in the world. But this year, the trend team brought a new spin to the fair’s overall feel, predicting a year of vibrancy, vision, originality and magic. Cultures from across the globe collided as people shopped, relaxed in “lounge-like” booths, and researched the realm of textiles in Messe’s 10 halls with multiple floors.

at Heimtextil 2008

David Feldman, Justin David Textiles; Stephan Sayer, De Ball, Inc., Gregory Feldman, Justin David Textiles; and Celine de Kort, Reynaldo

Carillo Group styled their fabrics in a vintage car

Inge Vervest, managing director, Albatros International with Sara Uzun from Ev Dekor International Home Textile

Rapoxy room showcased mod colors

Ismail Cansever, Penelope and Luc Callens, Algemene

Sanjay Arora, Dicitex Décor, Todd Cella and John Ringer of Richloom, and Ajay Arora, Dicitex Décor

Spring 2008 ■ F&FI

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Henna artist introduced visitors to Pakistan booth

Claudia Herke, Annetta Palmisano and Cem Bora; all of Bora Herke Stilbüro

Papa Michail Michail, director, Intercore; Javier Palasi, export manager, Yebane and Vassilious Vicky, assistant manager, Intercore

Ana Rios, international division, AZNAR, with Rajeev Narayan, divisional manager, Hitec Interiors

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Celebrating 90 Years at

the Kravet Holiday Party ‘07 WOODBURY, New Yo r k —– T h i s y e a r , K r a v e t marked its annual holiday part y with a special point of distinction —– the company has successfully been in business for 90 years. Not only that; for the first time in its histor y, Kravet publicly announced an “Employee of the Year” award, an honor which was besto wed onto Patricia Geraine, who has ser ved the company for 25 years and was recently promoted to assistant manager of the contract department.

Utta and Larry Kravet

Scott Kravet with Marilyn and Lance Garcy, president of P/Kauffman

Luis Valentine, Lisa Kravet and Gary Green; window designers for Kravet

Patty Geraine, receiveing the Employee of the Year Award from Cary Kravet

Mindy Robinson, sales at Wearbest with Karen Keating, director of Contract Design, Kravet

Cake commemorating 90 years of business

Jennifer Welge, VP of design, Sunbury; Peggy Simone, wife of Rocco Simone, senior VP of sales and marketing, Sunbury; Terri Anne O’Sullivan, sales director, Sunbury

Utta Kravet; Lauren Schwartz, wife of Kravet COO, Jerry Schwartz; Helen Donovan, Kravet sales, Toronto

Contract/HospitalityNews Poland’s Colourama Expands Production into China by Eric Schneider

ODZ, Poland —Colourama is heading into its fourth year with a production base in China as opposed to Europe. “This is an advantage in the transfer print industry that we are just beginning to exploit,” said

Robert Steijn, the founder and owner of Colourama. Steijn’s father had started a rotary screen paper printing company in Holland in 1975 which was eventually sold to Hunter Douglas. When Transprints UK and Sublistatic went bankrupt a few years ago, the young Steijn had an

opportunity to hire designers in England and France, as well as the former company’s sales agents. Steijn has his main office in Poland where he makes separations and the sample lines. He stocks two million meters of paper for production of plain and action plain fabrics in 150 colors.

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“We do narrow width printing in Poland but eventually expect to do wide width printing also in Poland,” he said. “We do three collec- Robert Steijn tions for Europe and the States/Canada. In China, we stock 25 million meters for special programs. We use up to eight cylinders in China that are 125

inches wide. We have the only wide width transfer paper printing in China with no seam.” “We target converters, mills and people who have calendars for our transfer print paper. We print paper in China and develop it for the local trade including converters and cut and sew houses.” F&FI

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F& FI G L O B A L M A R K E T P L A C E

Advertiser Index

For more information about one of our advertisers, see the page number listed: Company

Page #

Advansa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 Babei . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22-23 Castellano . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45 Comocrea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 Covington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47 Croscill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-15 Dicitex Décor . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-3 Dicitex Furnishings . . . . . . . . .31 Diversitex Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . .45 Duralee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-7 Edgar Fabrics . . . . . . . . . . . . .47 Express Air Freight . . . . . . . . .45 Fleetwood Fine Furniture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 Global Home Textiles . . . . . . .37 High Five . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Invista/Avora . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48

Company

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J.A. Raymakers . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 J.B. Martin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47 Kravet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9, 47 Mambretti . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39 Mannifatura Vay . . . . . . . . . . .4-5 Portfolio Textiles . . . . . . . . . . .47 Proposte . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Richloom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26-27 Rockland Mills . . . . . . . . . .16-17 Scoperta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1, 35 Surtex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Textirama . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 Tielex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47 Townsend Leather . . . . . . . . . .30 Trevira . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Valdese . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21, 47 Waverly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47

FABRIC SALES REPS WANTED

GENERAL MANAGER WANTED

DIVERSITEX INC., a privately held 40 year-old company, is looking for aggressive independent sales representatives for worldwide export. We convert popular-priced solids, jacquards, and prints that are sold to major U.S. based lifestyle manufacturers, jobbers, and retailers. Fabrics are stocked and ready for export at very competitive prices.

An experienced General manager /Sales manager, with at least 5 years in

For further information about territories available and commissions paid, please contact:

Please send resume stating your salary requirements and any other

the textile industry in a managerial position wanted to run a fast growing decorative trimmings and hardware wholesaler operating on a national basis. This is a fulltime position with great benefits. The position is based in Florida, but requires extensive travel across America as well as travel to foreign countries including China will be necessary.

pertinent details to:

marcbergman@diversitexinc.com or send a resume to: Marc Bergman, Diversitex, Inc., 376 Hollywood Avenue, Fairfield, New Jersey 07004

Vice President of Administration 324 South Powerline Road Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

Continued from P. 40 Nippon Interior Fabrics Association; Japantex producers produce flame retardant fabrics that meet the Japanese building by-laws and are mandatory. According to the spokeswoman for the Japan Fire Retardant Association, the FR laws were enacted in 1948 with six amendments. Now hotels, basement buildings higher than 31 meters, shopping arcades, cinema halls, nightclubs, restaurants, exhibition halls, hospitals, kindergartens, etc., all fall under strict provisions of building by-laws. The products have been wellevaluated by Japanese specifiers and very well accepted in the marketplace. Ryosuke Masui, sales representative in-charge of Inoue Sundare Co Ltd. Japan, was busy

Spring 2008 ■ F&FI

in showing handcrafted roll-up wooden curtains that don’t break easily even when twisted. “We also produce machines made of these items already but traditional Japanese tastes are fast inclining towards hand-crafted eco-friendly supplies,” he said. Consumers are moving away from aluminum blinds in the housing market and the demand for wooden blinds has grown over a decade. Elena Company Limited, Tokyo, has been marketing exclusive 106year-old Persian company’s carpets. “Japan is too important of a market for us and the tradition to possess specially crafted carpets is well received and the prices of

$3,000 a piece and 3-4 years delivery doesn’t discourage the buyers and they are willing to wait,” said Hassan Nourmahani, the president. Over the last decade, the company has been marketing exclusive carpets as a passionate family possession for generations and not just as carpets for decoration alone. However, making an entry into the Japanese market is challenging and complex and demands a greater patience and need to understand the method of distribution and market segmentation. “We are satisfied with our participation and the response has been positive but we need to follow-up with action now and we are seriously considering our own

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Chairmen of Japantex’ executive committee, Hiroshi Muto, director of Toso Co., Ltd., Shun Hayashi, managing director of Suminoe Textile Co., Ltd. and Hiroshi Aoto, chairman of Kawashima Selkon showroom in Japan so that the Japanese customers have access to our collection on an ongoing basis,” said Ratiya Chantian, managing director, Pasaya Satin Textiles Limited Thailand. Ibrahim Burkay, spokesperson from Uludag Exporters Association, Turkey, had exhibitors

at Japantex and expressed that to popularize high-quality Turkish products among Japanese consumers they would like to collaborate with Japanese designers. “When we collaborated with local designers, it worked effectively for our business expansion in Spain and Italy,” he said. F&FI

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F& FI C A L E N D A R 14 NADFD 3rd Annual Cocktail Party

March

May

30-2 Interiors UAE

6-8 Global Home Textiles

Location: Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) Abu Dhabi Contact: Cathy Oates, Event Director Tel: +44 (0)207 921 8410 Fax: +44 (0)20 7921 8450 Email: coates@cmpi.biz Website: www.interiorsuae.com Interiors UAE is organized by CMPI UK and Channels Exhibitions Dubai. The show will feature interior and exterior furniture pieces and accessories, as well as serve as a sourcing event for contract and home.

April

Location: Sands Expo and Convention Center Las Vegas, NV Contact: George Little Management, LLC 10 Bank Street White Plains, NY 10606-1954 Tel: (914) 421-3200 Fax : (914) 948-6180 Email: tlc@trade-link.co.uk Website: www.globalhometextiles.com Offshore manufacturing resources for home fashions including bed and bath fashions, table linens, kitchen textiles, pillows, area rugs, window treatments, fashion hardware, infant/juvenile merchandise, decorative accessories, decorative fabrics and trims.

7-13 IHFC High Point Market

Location: High Point, North Carolina Contact: International Home Furnishings Center P.O. Box 828 High Point, NC 27260-5238 Tel: 336-888-3700 Fax: 336-882-1873 Website: www.ihfc.com The world’s leading home furnishings manufacturers choose IHFC to market their products during this week-long event.

15-16 koncept

Location: 18th Floor Penthouse, Hotel Pennsylvania New York City, NY Contact: The Trade Link Company Tel: (212) 352-1005 Fax: (212) 807-0024 Email: info@conceptshow.com Website: www.konceptshow.com koncept showcases textile and surface design collections specifically developed for the residential and contract interiors product market.

22-27 Madrid International Furniture Exhibition

Location: Feria de Madrid Madrid, Spain Contact: IFEMA Tel: (34) 91 722.30.00 Fax: (34) 91 722.58.01 Email: mueble-madrid@ifema.es Website: www.ifema.es For its next edition, the Madrid International Furniture Exhibition proposes for its 25th anniversary a selection of the best companies, both from Spain and abroad, participating in a sophisticated atmosphere and an unbeatable setting: IFEMA, Feria de Madrid.

6-8 Scoperta

Location: Palapenz hall Chiasso, Switzerland Contact: Trade Link Company Ltd 51 Dollar Street Cirencester Gloucestershire GL7 2AS United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0) 1285 641 600 Fax : +44 (0) 1285 658 990 Email: tlc@trade-link.co.uk Website: www.scopertaexpo.com Scoperta focuses on upholstery, decoration and curtain fabrics. Materials include jacquards, silk, suede, leather and many other fabrics including lightweights.

7-9 Proposte

Location: Villa Erba Cernobbio, Como Italy Contact: Proposte srl Viale Sarca, 223 20126 Milan, Italy Tel: +39 02 6434054 Fax: +30 02 66119130 Email: info@propostefair.it Website: www.propostefair.it Visitors to Proposte access the fair only if they are invited by the Operative Secretariat of the same fair, and rigorously chosen among the following categories: Textile editors, Producers of upholstered furniture, wholesalers, wide distribution chains, converters and contract operators.

Location: Treasure Island Hotel & Casino Las Vegas, NV Contact: NADFD One Windsor Cove, Suite 305 Columbia, South Carolina 29223 Tel: 800-445-8629 Fax: 803-765-0860 E-mail: info@nadfd.com Website: nadfd.com/conventions.html The National Association of Decorative Fabric Distributors focuses on providing education and network opportunity to promote member growth and profitability. Location: Sands Convention Center Las Vegas, NV Contact: Registration Information Tel: (508) 743-8502 Fax: N/A E-mail: hdexpo@cdsreg.com Website: www.hdexpo.com HD 2008 is the resource for new products and services and a connection with the wider hospitality design community.

Location: Boston, MA Contact: General Convention Information Tel: 800.242.3837 Email: infocentral@aia.org Website: www.aiaconvention.com AIA Expo2008 showcases the best and the brightest ideas from more than 800 companies. See a staggering array of new products, technology, innovation, and services. Admission to AIA Expo2008 in Boston is absolutely free.

16 The boutique 18

Location: TBA Contact: Michael Schneider Tel: (914) 923-0616 Fax: (914) 923-0018 E-mail: Mschneider@sipco.net Website: www.sipco.net This invitation-only event brings together the boutique 18 of the year. Who are they? The designers of the next generation.

18-20 SURTEX

Location: Jacob K. Javits Convention Center New York City, NY Contact: Gina Deluca, Show Manager Tel: (914) 421-3229 Fax: N/A E-mail: gina_deluca@glmshows.com Website: www.surtex.com This event will showcase artists, designers, studios and licensing firms.

August

3-5 Hospitality Match Middle East

15-17 AIA 2008 National Convention and Design Exposition

Location: CNR EXPO Istanbul, Turkey Contact: EVTEKS Tel: +90 212 465 74 75 Fax: +90 212 465 74 76/77 E-mail: info@itf-evteks.com Website: www.itf-evteks.com EVTEKS 2008 14th Istanbul Home Textile Exhibition is the second largest trade exhibition of its industry across the world. Last year, the exhibition was visited by 80,424 visitors, including 11,362 foreign visitors.

June

15-17 HD Expo

145 Main St. Ossining, NY 10562 Tel: 914-923-0616 Fax: 914-923-0018 E-mail: Samantha@sipco.net Website: www.sipco.net Hospitality Match (MATCH) is a series of targeted and exclusive invitation-only events that bring key decision makers to you, face-to-face for a weekend of serious business and exceptional networking events. At MATCH, you will meet with prequalified hospitality buyers of furnishings at the three- to five-star level, through prearranged one-on-one meetings.

21-25 EVTEKS

Location: Park Hyatt Dubai Dubai Contact: Sipco Publications & Events 145 Main St. Ossining, NY 10562 Tel: 914-923-0616 Fax: 914-923-0018 E-mail: Samantha@sipco.net Website: www.sipco.net Hospitality Match (MATCH) is a series of targeted and exclusive invitation-only events that bring key decision makers to you, face-to-face for a weekend of serious business and exceptional networking events. At MATCH, you will meet with pre-qualified hospitality buyers of furnishings at the three- to five-star level, through pre-arranged one-on-one meetings.

26-28 Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles

11-13 18th Interior Lifestyle

September

Location: Shanghai New International Expo Center Shanghai, China Contact: Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd. 3506 China Resources Building 26 Harbour Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong Tel: 852 2802 7728 Fax: 852 2596 8771 E-mail: textile@hongkong.messefrankfurt.com More than 800 exhibitors in product groups from bed linen, blankets, bedding, terry and toweling products, upholstery fabrics, textile wall covering, trade publications and other sectors will show at one of the world's largest home textiles fairs.

Location: Tokyo International Exhibition Center Tokyo, Japan Contact: Mesago Messe Frankfurt Corp Maekawa Kudan Bldg. 3F, 2-3-7 Kudankita, Chiyoda-ku Tokyo 102-0073, Japan Tel. +81 3 3262 8453 Fax. +81 3 3262 8442 E-mail: info@interior-lifestyle.com Website: www.interior-lifestyle.com Interior Lifestyle is the leading “DesignOriented” trade fair for the Japanese interior market. Experts of the trade gather to nominate and discover the latest trends.

13-16 Decosit Brussels

Location: NPO Brussels Exhibition Center Brussels, Belgium Contact: NPO Brussels Exhibition Center Tel: +32 2 474 82 63 Fax: +32 2 474 83 97 Email: sales@bruexpo.be Website: www.brusselsexpo.be Decosit offers an extensive range of fabrics in the highest quality from around the globe.

18-21 The New York International Carpet Show Location: 69th Regiment Armory New York City, NY Contact: www.nyics.com/index.html The metro area's only stand-alone trade show featuring top importers of handmade rugs. The show takes place during Market Week.

July 17-19 Hospitality Match USA

Location: The Langham, Huntington Hotel & Spa Pasadena, California Contact: Sipco Publications & Events

Mail or FAX this form with your credit card information to: (914) 923-0018 (USA) Sipco Publications Inc., P.O. Box 107, Ossining, NY 10562, USA. Order online at: www.sipco.net

US$130 One full year subscription: (4 Issues) Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter Products you specify or purchase: ❑ Fabric ❑ Upholstery ❑ Area rugs/Machine made rugs ❑ Towels/Sheets/Bedding ❑ Fibers/Yarns/Fiberfill ❑ Window coverings ❑ Wallcoverings Type of business:

❑ Contract

❑ Retailer

❑ Wholesaler/Distributor

❑ Manufacturer/Mfr’s Rep

Charge It! Fax It! or Mail It!

❑ Designer/Specifier

❑ Other _____________

Name ___________________________________________________

Country ________________________________________________

Company _________________________________________________

Province/State __________________________________________

Address__________________________________________________

Postal/Zip code__________________________________________

City _____________________________________________________

Phone # _________________ Fax #

Credit card info: ❑ Amex ❑ Visa ❑ MasterCard

Expiration Date: Mo/Yr ____________________________________

______________________

Signature ______________________________________________

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Spring 2008 ■ F&FI

Grand Hotel FP ad-Spring 2008

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See the Best Lines on the Lake at The Grand Hotel

Il Grand Hotel facing Como, opens to Europe

The Grand Hotel May 7-9 | Como, Italy ( e x h i b i t o r s ) Schneider for his c i r 60 t E h in o J

Covington

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n b ys p

tel o H

Edgar Fabrics J. B. Martin Portfolio Textiles Tietex Valdese Weavers Waverly

tion only at Th vita e G l in ra

Shuttlebus service available from Grand Hotel to Villa Erba: 8-10AM

E D G A R FABRICS

pKaufman for pdf

11/12/07

2:34 PM

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