New SC warehouse boosts shipping capacity for Divatex

By Marvin Lazaro -- Home Textiles Today, 3/10/2003 12:00:00 AM

NEW YORK —

Recognizing a rising need to service its customers in a more timely manner, Divatex Home Fashions has purchased its own warehouse.

The structure is located in Greenville, SC, and features some cutting edge technology, including "one of the most sophisticated locator systems," said Avi Gross, president of Divatex. The warehouse, which was purchased in late December, is in full operation now.

In addition to the building, Gross said Divatex purchased surrounding land in anticipation of the company's future expansion.

The 175,000-square-foot warehouse enables Divatex to quickly process large orders as well as hold goods based on customer forecasts, Gross indicated.

"We can [receive] 12 containers and ship them out the same night," Gross said.

Gross noted that while some suppliers hire third-party firms to run their warehouse and shipping operations, the practice often results in problems, since companies give up control of a crucial operation. He said that much of Divatex's time is spent ensuring that orders are shipped correctly.

Divatex sources products for its customer base from a variety of countries, including China and Israel. The New York-based company has roughly 45 customers in the United States. Of those, Gross said approximately 30 are being supplied from the new facility. The remainder receive their goods from two leased warehouses in New Jersey.

"In the last few years, our business has changed a lot from a seasonal business, like our flannels, to core programs that we have to support on a weekly basis," Gross said. "So, we wanted a very big, modern warehouse from which we could support our customers.

He added that space has been set aside to support inventory operations and label printing. Space has also been dedicated to handle the fabric for its comforters; a timesaver since the company's cut-and-sew operations are nearby in the town of Piedmont, SC.