Karastan unit created
By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, August 19, 2002
Atlanta — Karastan Rug & Home has been formed as a strategic business unit of Mohawk Inds., and Phil Haney named president of the entity, which will be an operating unit of Mohawk Home.
The move brings all of Mohawk's rug and home textiles products under the Mohawk Home division, headed by Bill Kilbride. Haney was Karastan's executive vice president of marketing and sales.
Karastan is one of the most widely recognized brands in floor covering, and Haney said its image as a maker of quality rugs and broadloom carpet wouldn't change. "However, the focused efforts of the category-specific business unit and sales organization will better serve all our customers," he said.
Haney said Karastan would consider line extensions into decorative pillows, throws, and top-of-bed and bath products.
Kilbride cited Karastan's strength with affluent consumers in the department store, national account, furniture and flooring specialty retailer channels, and said the brand now has the resources necessary to enter new categories.
