Blumenthal targets bedding with double knits
By Susan M. Andrews -- Furniture Today, February 15, 2004
NEW ORLEANS — Blumenthal, a supplier of damasks, prints and jacquards to bedding and furniture makers, has installed new knitting machines and expanded its line to include double-knit, terry and velour fabrics.
The eight knitting machines, already online at the company's plant in Marion, S.C., represent an investment of over $2 million, said President Harry Blumenthal.
While the initial launch targets mattress makers, "eventually we will look at ways to use this equipment in all the market areas we are involved in," he said.
"Double-knit fabrics have grown in popularity over the past couple of years," said Jerry Steiner, Blumenthal's executive vice president. "Kingsdown was one of the first to use knits for the North American market, and Simmons has it on the Beautyrest and Back Care mattresses.
"Camilla Franklin, our vice president of design and product development, and her team have been working non-stop on this project for six months to ensure that we have a competitive product," he said. "We've hired new personnel at the mill and there is definitely a lot of potential for the product."
Franklin said key members of the team include Lynn Pappas, director of styling, ticking; Phil Read, knitting technologist, responsible for designing and developing the new knit line; and Jerry Pratt, director of purchasing.
"Our strength is our in-depth knowledge of the U.S. market," Franklin said, "and the good relationships we have with our customers, so we will be able to offer quick response. We are the first American mill to make a major investment in this segment and we will have a broad range of prices and products."
The initial line will be ticking fabric priced in the upper range of Blumenthal's damask ticking, about $5 to $9 per yard.
"We are approaching knits as a weaver," Pappas said, "and have focused on making product that is interesting in ways that will appeal to American consumers."
Knit ticking fabrics are important in Europe, she said, but "it has a very distinct look that wouldn't be accepted well in the United States. Ticking is a style thing for the American market. The hand has always been important and these knits 'give,' unlike most wovens, so that running your hand across it is like touching baby clothes."
Blumenthal will show the knit ticking in its booth at the International Sleep Products Assn. Expo next month in Indianapolis.
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