La France allies with group for fabrics push
By Susan M. Andrews -- Furniture Today, March 21, 2004
Greenville, S.C. — Greenville, S.C.— La France Inds. is moving to reclaim its place as a producer of midpriced to better upholstery fabric after several years out of the limelight.
The first step was the establishment of a strategic alliance with The Mischen Glabman Group, a company formed by industry veterans Steve Mischen and Thom Glabman.
The aim is to leverage the group's market knowledge, the manufacturing expertise of La France and the financial power of its parent, Mount Vernon Mills, to reposition La France as an important domestic source for the furniture industry.
The new upholstery fabric line will include woven plain and jacquard velvets, flat-woven jacquards, tapestries, chenilles and 100% cotton dobbies and textures, with the initial offering expected to be ready by June 1. Price points will range from $4 to $12.
"We are aiming for a velvet renaissance," Glabman said. "The line will be known for its finish, its colors and excellent customer service."
"This will be our first (upholstery) line offering since 1997," said La France President Charles Little, "and it will be creative and innovative because we have the advantage of our manufacturing capability and the marketing and design talent at Mischen Glabman."
When Glabman and Mischen began talking with Little, the three saw "a unique chance to get the right people together to create a unique synergy for the industry," Glabman said. "Little was seeking marketing and merchandising advice and expertise, and he is highly knowledgeable in all things relating to yarn and manufacturing.
"Steve and I toured their facilities and came up with a proposal to restore their image … and compete effectively in today's global environment," Glabman said.
"Given our group's market knowledge, customer focus and design skills, combined with La France's state-of-the-art manufacturing and Mount Vernon's financial strength, we are confident that we can deliver a wide variety of top-quality fabrics," said Mischen.
La France Inds., founded in 1822, is one of six divisions of Mount Vernon Mills, a privately held company with annual revenues across all divisions of about $700 million. Other divisions are Apparel Fabrics, Consumer Products, Greige Fabrics, Brentex, Transportation and Chemicals. Its 16 plants in South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Texas employ over 5,000 people.
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