Welspun Snaps Up Christy

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 7/17/2006 12:00:00 AM

Mumbai, India —

Rapidly growing Welspun India has acquired an 85% interest in CHT Holdings Limited, the parent company of Christy ghmb, Christy USA, and Christy UK — the 156-year-old towel manufacturer and the United Kingdom's leading towel brand. The deal was valued at $28.7 million, according to Welspun. The Christy management team will own the other 15% and will operate as a stand-alone.

Rajesh Mandawewala, Welspun's joint managing director, will become chairman of Christy. The firms will maintain separate U.S. showrooms.

“I think the synergies are good,” said Oliver Newman, Christy USA president. “Christy is seen as an innovator and Welspun is seen as innovative from a technology point of view. It gives Welspun a good foothold in the European market.”

Christy generates annual revenue of about $64.4 million, according to the companies. Newman noted that Christy recently rolled out bed linens under its brand in the U.K., and Welspun last year added bedding manufacturing. Earlier this year, Christy launched utility bedding in the U.S. under a licensing agreement with Down Lite.

Besides the Christy branded product, the company also produces and imports private label for leading retailers in the U.K. and Europe. It also operates 22 Christy stores and 98 Christy departments in other retailers.

Welspun, which operates its own stores in India, plans to launch the Christy brand in its home country.

Said Mandawewala: “The acquisition of Christy is in line with Welspun's strategy of emerging as one of the largest home textiles companies by 2008, with a strong brand portfolio.” Those brands include Tommy Hilfiger for India, and the Nautica and Umbra towel brands for the U.S. and Canadian markets.

Joel Rosenblatt, Christy's managing director, said the deal will give Christy “the greatest scope for future development, with access to Welspun's research and development capacities and international presence.”