Welspun names chief operating officer and design director for U.S. operation

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 1/4/2005 1:29:00 PM

NEW YORK – Indian towel giant Welspun has named Charles Gaenslen to the newly created position of executive vice president and chief operating officer for its U.S. business, effective immediately.

He joins Blair Tate, design director-bath, who joined Welspun this past August from her previous position at Westpoint Stevens.

Gaenslen comes to Welspun from Bardwil Linens, where he managed finance and operations as chief financial officer.He is a 20-year veteran in the soft goods industries, previously working as a management consultant for KSA.

Tate came to Welspun with 12 years experience designing and developing product for the soft home industry.

Gaenslen and Tate are charged with building out a U.S. presence for Welspun India, Ltd.They will operate out of Welspun’s New York showroom at 295 Fifth Ave.

Welspun India is in the midst of a major expansion to build additional cotton terry towel production facilities, as well as a new plant to produce cotton bed sheets, all effective 1st quarter 2005.