Capel taps Mastercraft Imports exec for sourcing

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 11/3/2003 12:00:00 AM

Troy, NC — Capel Incorporated has named Norm Sweeters managing director of imports, effective Nov. 17.

"His contacts with overseas vendors are among the best in the business," said executive director Jesse Capel.

Sweeters' career in the rug industry began with his family's business, Pande Cameron of New York, where he began working in the warehouse at the age of 14. He formally joined the company in 1972, and over the following 22 years worked as a member of the sales, marketing, product development and purchasing teams. After Pande acquired Fritz and LaRue Co. in 1986, Sweeters led that division and gained experience with products from China, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nepal. In 1994, Sweeters sold his interest in both companies and embarked on an eight-year tenure directing Mastercraft Imports Ltd., whose core business is high-end machine-made rugs from Belgium and England.

Capel recently acquired the inventory of Mastercraft Imports Ltd. This inventory acquisition allows Capel to integrate Mastercraft's "Severn Manor," "Ashton," "Rahmaz" and "Satin" qualities into its direct import and open stock programs, the company said.