Franco gets exclusive Mudd license

By Marvin Lazaro -- Home Textiles Today, 1/1/2001 12:00:00 AM

METUCHEN, NJ -Mudd and Franco Manufacturing have joined together to produce a line of home textiles.

Mudd, which is known for its apparel lines, granted the exclusive license to the textiles manufacturer, based here, in December. It will also include beach towels and accessories as well as coordinating sheets, pillows, blankets and drapes as well as towels and shower curtains.

"We believe that Mudd is the solution for retailers to address the huge junior and teen business in home textiles," said David Franco, director of marketing for Franco. "Mudd will be the brand of choice because the styling, product and price will be right on target."

Franco added that the Mudd license represented a tremendous opportunity to brand a generally unbranded teen and juniors market segment.

Geared for the teenage girl who has outgrown her character-licensed sheets and wants her own look distinctive from her mother's, vibrant colors such as wild pink and wilder patterns such as zebra are featured on one pattern and will be a staple of the new collection. The new line will be available at retailers in fall 2001.

"We are taking the home furnishings industry to a younger audience by offering the Mudd attitude for the bedroom, bathroom and beach, and teaming with Franco Manufacturing makes that possible," said Dick Gilbert, president, Mudd. "We are very happy to have Franco Manufacturing join the Mudd family of licensees. We look forward to a long and successful relationship."