Glenoit consolidates operations to NC

By Cecile B. Corral -- Home Textiles Today, 12/11/2000 12:00:00 AM

GOLDSBORO, NC -Tightening its belt another notch on the heels of its Chapter 11 filing, Glenoit Corp. recently shut down its Miami factory and relocated its Madison Landing operations to the company's Ex-Cell Home Fashions factory here.

After terminating its lease in Miami, Glenoit took all the machinery and moved it to Goldsboro. To date, no construction for expansion of the site is planned, "but if the need arises for more capacity we'd obviously do whatever is necessary," said John Fraley, executive vp of Ex-Cell.

The exact size of the Goldsboro facility was not available. Ex-Cell president and ceo Tom O'Gorman described the facility as "very large" with "several hundred thousand square feet."

"Obviously, it was advantageous for us to have both operations under one roof," he said.

John Panariello, vp of merchandising for decorative pillows at Ex-Cell, said, "It's more efficient and effective. The stores can have products ordered and shipped from this one location."

Panariello added that while Glenoit's Madison Landing and Ex-Cell brands have different price points, most retailers carry both lines, making the collaboration of facilities smoother.