Valdese to expand domestic fabric output
By Susan M. Andrews -- Furniture Today, March 18, 2007
Valdese, N.C. — Major fabric supplier Valdese Weavers will expand its domestic manufacturing operations following the acquisition of a 198,000-square-foot plant, the company's third facility here.
President and CEO Mike Shelton said the company evaluated expansion sites overseas or in other domestic regions, but decided "to make this commitment to grow our business in Valdese, where we have a 72-year heritage."
The expansion, representing a $19.3 million total investment over three years, will add about 61 jobs. Influencing Valdese's decision were grants from the state of North Carolina, possible tax credits, and local economic development grants and incentives.
Shelton told Furniture/Today that Valdese Weavers' business grew 14% in 2006 across all its business segments — residential, jobber and contract.
"We're very fortunate in the current environment of globalization in the textile industry to have been able to consistently grow our business," he said, "and ... we are grateful to our customers who have recognized Valdese Weavers for the value that our products and services represent."
Valdese's design center and primary weaving operation will remain at its 175,000-square-foot main facility. Plant 2, a 125,000-square-foot facility built in 1996, will now become the primary yarn preparation facility. The new Plant 3 will house all finishing operations as well as the Valdese International Products, or VIP, brand.
New finishing equipment will be installed in Plant 3, which formerly was owned by Carolina Mills, and the facility is expected to be fully operational by January 2008.
Valdese Weavers employs over 620 people in the design, marketing and manufacturing of textile products for the residential and contract markets.
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