Home Textiles Today - July 19, 2004

In a perplexing, punishing, watershed year for the American textiles industry, two of the largest, oldest and best-known companies in the business literally disappeared from view. Pillowtex, the heir to Fieldcrest and Cannon Mills, succumbed to a crushing debt load and a series of management missteps and shut its doors forever; and historically reticent Springs Industries, now...

• Business Today
• June sales record 1.1 percent decline
• Holiday helps retailers beat target
• LNT drops earnings outlook

• News
• Best Manuf. buys Artex International
• Springs names Simon basic bedding president
• Adams leaves Trade Am
• Contemporary abounds in Atlanta
• Showtime receives solid reviews
• Natco names svp, expands showroom
• Berkin launches marketing firm
• Sure Fit to close plant, lay off 180
• Turkish fabric exhibition headed to N.Y.
• Retail briefs
• Rug briefs
• Holiday in bloom
• Blu Sand launches bleachsafe towels
• Honeywell offers new yarn options
• Pellenberg comes home

• Opinion Today
• The game changes
• Top-of-bed is top-of-mind

• People Today
• Neuburger joins Guess? board
• Gemette named evp, merchandising at HSN
• Kmart taps Samper
• Garden Ridge rounds out management spots
• Orian creates senior design director post
• Shaw builds staff for bath and rugs
• Latex names Lorelli CEO
• Burdick promoted at Hunter Douglas
• Hollander names Schantz vp of basic bedding