Industry vet joins American Blanket

Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 11/13/2000 12:00:00 AM

DALTON, GA -Blanket industry veteran John Ginn has signed on as sales and marketing chief of a new start-up venture, American Blanket Company, a producer of raschel-knit high-pile blankets and throws.

American Blanket Co., the U.S. marketing arm of A.I.G., a Saudi Arabian conglomerate of manufacturing companies, will be headquartered here at a new distribution center and office complex where the United Weavers area rug division is also located.

"We have a new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Saudi Arabia, with unlimited capacity and extensive product development ability," said Ginn. "We also have an exclusive agreement to use Bayer branded acrylic fiber and yarn, which gives our blankets exceptional quality and color."

Ginn, a long-time industry veteran and blanket merchant, will be responsible for all sales and marketing for the new operation. He will be responsible for developing a product assortment that targets all channels of distribution, with particular emphasis on department and specialty stores. He will also have direct sales responsibility for some national accounts.

Ginn was previously the director of merchandising and sourcing at Crown Crafts' woven products division.

"My mission is to educate the market about this relatively new, better-quality blanket," said Ginn.

"In addition, we hope to develop products that will fit into retail price points that allow our customers to significantly improve their sales volume and margins in this category. The blanket market has evolved quite a bit in the last few seasons, and we believe this blanket offers some exciting possibilities."