Jover brings in partner

Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 10/1/2001 12:00:00 AM

Jover

Alcoy, Spain

Owner: Francisco Jover Pastor

Owner, Milford Fabrics: Sharlene Adams

Principal businesses: bedding, upholstery, fabrics

Jover, a fabric manufacturer in Spain, and Milford Fabrics, Stratford, CT, began learning about the export business together, after U.S. customers wanted to buy Jover fabrics without the exporting headaches of foreign currency or meter conversion.

Sharlene Adams was a rep for several European mills at the time, but began Milford Fabrics LLC in 1993 to service the exporting needs of Jover and other companies, specializing on the Spanish market. "We have had a very simpatico relationship," Adams said of Jover, adding that it has been very supportive with various resources. "We have mutually benefited, though we are separate companies."

Jover was founded in 1965 by Francisco Jover Perez, and is now run by his son, Francisco Jover Pastor.

For the U.S. market, Adams imports Jover fabrics for ready-made bedding, upholstery and multipurpose fabrics. However, Jover has its origins in drapery, she said, which is still a large part of its business, though its draperies have never sold widely here.

Jover also produces a large amount of product targeted at the U.S. market, she said. Approximately 15 percent of Jover's total export business heads to the United States.