Windham Weavers gains Pfaltzgraff license for rugs

By Cecile B. Corral -- Home Textiles Today, 10/8/2001 12:00:00 AM

NEW YORK —

Accent, scatter and area rug and table linen importer Windham Weavers, based here, recently forged a licensing partnership with renowned dinnerware manufacturer Pfaltzgraff to create a collection of rugs.

The product launch will take place during the New York Home Textiles market, which begins later this week.

Fabrications and sizes for the rugs vary, and include:

• Cotton-and-chenille blends, available in a broad range, from 20" x 34" through 8" x 11";

• Tapestry, available in 19" x 27" through 22" x 36";

• Jute, available in sizes 18" x 30" through 5' x 8';

• Coir, available in 18" x 30" through 16" x 47".

Price points start at $19.99 for the cotton-and-chenille blends; $14.99 for tapestry; $14.99 for printed jute; and $14.99 for coir rugs.

The initial collection will coordinate with three of Pfaltzgraff's most popular designs — French Quarter, Jamberry and Naturewood. Windham Weavers will use at least six patterns from each design to create a broad collection of 18 to 24 rug looks.

Pfaltzgraff's other home textile licensees include New York-based Ex-Cell Home Fashions for table linens and Prospect Park, NJ-based Anchor Home Fashions for kitchen textiles and appliance covers.

All the rugs for the collection are imported from and made in India at a facility that Windham Weavers partners with to create some of its rug lines. Windham Weavers also owns and operates its own offices in India.

"We have licensing partnerships with about seven artists, but this is our biggest name license so far," said Lance Orlick, executive vp. "Pfaltzgraff has one of the largest dinnerware customer [bases] in America in terms of retail sales, so this is a big acquisition for us. This is a big boost in our rug division."

Orlick added that Windham's partnership with Pfaltzgraff complements his company's customer base — department and specialty stores.

"It's our same customer base, but it's more of an entry for us into what's going on with dinnerware," he explained.

Windham Weavers was established in 1987 as a rug importer and five years ago added table linens to its offerings.

For the New York mini-market in February, Windham Weavers and Pfaltzgraff will continue to add more designs and product to the collection.

"It's an ongoing partnership, and we'll keep it going with new product," said Howie Mallow, executive vp.