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Made in America way of life for rug business

Lissa Wyman -- Furniture Today, November 18, 2011

Lissa Wyman Rug EditorThe USA is getting its mojo back. After a stampede to offshore resources, the home furnishings industry is now wrapping itself in the American flag.
     In a brilliant marketing move, there was a 16,000-square-foot Made in America pavilion in Suites at Market Square during the just-ended High Point Market.
     While everyone is waving Made in America flags, wave some in the direction of the U.S. carpet and rug business, which had estimated wholesale shipments of over $10 billion in 2010. (Because the American rug industry is notorious for not having any statistical information, it's difficult to get an exact handle on dollar value in that segment.)
Made in America is not a big deal in our industry. It's the way things are.
     Approximately 70% of the world's carpeting is made in or near Dalton, Ga. American carpets and rugs are shipped all over the world. No big deal. Labor is relatively cheap in northwest Georgia, and shipping and distribution are smooth and seamless.
     American rug retailers didn't suddenly make a beeline to China and India; they have always had access to both hand-made and machine-made rugs from all over the world.
     American rugs are also made in the Carolinas, Alabama and even Maine. I estimate that rugs manufactured in the U.S., amount to about half of all rugs sold in this country.
     Two great made-in-the-USA rug stories:
     ► Capel Rugs still makes classic braided rugs in Troy, N.C., where Leon Capel opened a rug-making plant 94 years ago. After seeing his first automobile, Mr. Capel decided to braid rugs instead of buggy whips. Today, Capel makes traditional American braids and also imports rugs from all over the world.
     ► Karastan Rugs has made Axminster rugs in Eden, N.C., since 1928. It's the only American rug manufacturer using historic spool Axminster looms, developed in 1878. Today, Karastan Axminster rugs are made alongside modern wilton woven rugs. Karastan is part of Mohawk Inds., which makes all type of flooring products in the USA.
     There also is amazing international cross pollination of ideas and machinery in our business. Virtually all machine-made rugs in the world are made on high-speed Belgian Van de Wiele wilton looms.
     Even major importers have strong American ties. Most imported rugs are shipped from large warehouses in northwest Georgia and the Northeast, which employ American workers, of course.
     Like I said, made in America is no big deal in the rug business. It's a way of life.

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