Kaleen Opens Facility
Now in its 15th year in the U.S., Kaleen officially opened its new facility in Dalton, Ga., just before the Atlanta International Area Rug Market. From left, Grey Christie, regional vice president, Kaleen; David Pennington, mayor of Dalton, Ga.; Radhe Rathi, CEO, Kaleen; Monty Rathi, chief operating officer, Kaleen; Monty’s wife Kirti and their children Gaurav and Ruchicka, help Joe Barkley, executive vice president, Kaleen, cut the ribbon on the new facility.
Natco Factory Adds Eighth Loom, More Space
Natco Home Products, the parent company of Central Oriental, has installed its eighth loom in its Sanford, Maine, factory. Running at 165 rpms, loom 8 will strengthen Natco’s offering in better machine-made rugs and will produce rugs ranging from 500,000 points up to 1.3 million points per square meter.
In addition, beginning this month, the company will also break ground on adding 60,000 square feet to the factory. When the expansion is complete by the summer, the facility will be 240,000 square feet, said Jim Thompson, vice president, sales and marketing, Central Oriental.
Having the ability to buy U.S.-made rugs is “easier for retailers,” Thompson added. “They can buy less or more of an assortment, without having to worry about filling a container.”
Surya Adds Two Sales Execs
In order to better service its distribution channels, Surya has recently added two sales executives to oversee the furniture and retail and design service categories. Eric Nyman has taken responsibility for furniture and retail, while Steve Fahey is managing design services. Both will have the title national sales manager and report to Seth King, vice president, sales and marketing, Surya.
“It’s a more focused approach for each of those categories,” King said. Nyman is based in the company’s Dalton, Ga., office, while Fahey is based in New York.