Weavetec's Simply Home division to acquire Santee Fabrics

Cindy W. Hodnett -- Furniture Today, November 8, 2012

WYTHEVILLE, Va. — Simply Home, a division of Weavetec Inc., announced plans today to acquire High Point-based converter Santee Fabrics.

Company officials declined to disclose the purchase price, but said that Santee's sales office in High Point will close on Friday. All accounts will transfer to Simply Home's customer service team in Wytheville, under the direction of Operations Manager Caren Blanchett, on Nov. 12.

Santee Fabrics was incorporated in 1994 under the direction of Dan Ennis and has a niche in yarn-dyed cotton fabrics produced by Weavetec and piece-dyed velvets and twills from various suppliers. Simply Home has been a supplier of home décor products since 1995 and launched a signature residential fabric line under the leadership of Nick Chmil in 2010.

Simply Home officials said the acquisition will further solidify its position as a resource for residential upholstery fabrics. The company said it will operate the two lines independently, with Simply Home Classics under the direction of Chmil and Santee Fabrics by Simply Home under the direction of Ennis. They are both sales managers.

Weavetec, incorporated in 1987, is a specialty weaver that produces fabrics for the home décor, upholstery, wall covering, equestrian and industrial fabric markets.

"In an economic time where many companies are being forced to downsize, Simply Home continues to expand," Blanchett said. "We look forward to being more aggressive with product development, sales and inventory management to ensure prompt delivery and better service to our loyal customers."

Sandy Carroll has joined Simply Home as customer service manager for both divisions. Previously, Carroll was inventory manager at Chemicals & Solvents in Roanoke, Va.

Ennis said the acquisition is timely given the increased interest in domestic sourcing for textiles.

"This acquisition will be beneficial for Santee Fabrics because it allows us to focus on product development and sales as opposed to the structural issues associated with an independent business," he said. "More importantly, our customers will benefit from the strength and stability of Simply Home and its parent company, Weavetec."