Springs sees growth returning to industry, but tough competition

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 1/14/2004 12:00:00 AM

FRANKFURT — Springs Industries, the largest home textiles suppliers in the United States, believes the home furnishings industry will expand by 4 to 5 percent annually over the next three years.

"As the global economy inches slowly — very slowly — into recovery, sales volume is once again becoming a priority for business," president Tom O'Conner said during a panel discussion hosted here by the US Department of Commerce to kick off the Heimtextil international trade show.

O'Conner noted that as the economy picks up, the home textiles business is becoming "increasingly crowded with new players."

Springs is focusing on brands and brand-building to differentiate itself from the pack, O'Conner said. However, "First and foremost, we are relentlessly committed to growth in our key accounts. And in this industry, there are only 10 or 12 of them."