Elite resurrects weaver as Elizabeth Fabrics
By Susan M. Andrews -- Furniture Today, February 15, 2004
GROVER, N.C. — Upholstery fabric supplier Elizabeth Weaving, which closed last May, has been resurrected as Elizabeth Fabrics following its acquisition in July 2003 by Elite Textiles of Albemarle, N.C.
Ted Huneycutt, president of Elite and Elizabeth, wouldn't disclose terms but said the deal was for intellectual property and did not include the plant or real estate, which Elite is leasing and using to produce the Elizabeth line.
"Our goal is to provide product the industry expects from the Elizabeth line, and expand the line to include more coordinates in order to build packages for furniture manufacturers," he said.
Elizabeth made jacquard plaids and checks in the range of $3.50 to $8 a yard. Elite Textiles, which Huneycutt launched 15 years ago, is primarily a commission weaver for the transportation, top-of-bed and contract markets.
"Part of our plan was to expand our markets, and the one market where we didn't have a presence was residential furniture," Huneycutt said. "We found a very good salesperson in Jim Clark and we were looking for a line, so when the Elizabeth Weaving opportunity came up it got us where we wanted to go much quicker."
Clark is handling sales and marketing.
Elizabeth Fabrics has 20 high-speed electronic jacquard looms; Elite has 24. Huneycutt said there is very little product crossover, although the Elizabeth line can be woven at either mill.
Mike Garner is the company's design director. A 30-year industry veteran, she was a designer at Mastercraft Fabrics and Craftex Mills, and director of product development at Cone Jacquards before joining Elite Textiles about three years ago.
In addition to plaids, checks and washed cottons, Garner said the line includes "a natural, washed product that is wonderful for slipcovers. We've been tickled with the interest we've had in that, so we will add colors."
Mary Ann Prevost, with Elizabeth Weaving for 10 years before leaving about two years ago, has joined Elizabeth Fabrics as senior designer.
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