Sheridan maintains wide global presence

Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 10/1/2001 12:00:00 AM

Sheridan Australia

Woodville, Australia

Ceo: Myron Mann

President, Sheridan USA: Terry Soldati

Principal businesses: bedding, bath

Founded in 1952, Sheridan is Australia's leading bed and bath supplier, and about 30 percent of its annual sales are exported to 50 nations, including the United States.

"For our business in the United States, we print in Australia and do cut-and-sew in the United States," said Terry Soldati, president of Sheridan USA, headquartered at 295 Fifth Ave., New York .

While the Australian parent produces both bed and bath, Sheridan is known in the United States almost exclusively for its bedding products, which were introduced here in the mid '80s, said Soldati. "While we have both in Australia, we don't have bath here, but that's something we're looking at for the future, we're looking to expand the product mix."

Soldati hopes to show a complete array of Sheridan bath products here "by April 2002." And in the meantime "we'll have a small, free-standing presentation at next month's market."

Sheridan bedding is available in the United States. in all-cotton in 200- and 230-count constructions, and in a 180-count 50/50 blend.

Sheridan was launched into the U.S. market through a small chain of free-standing Sheridan shops, and later became a concession department in the Macy's chain. When Macy's was acquired by Federated Department Stores, the Sheridan nameplate was expanded throughout the Federated chain.

Currently, the United States is the smallest of the 50 international markets supplied by the Australian parent.