Biederlack keeps diverse focus

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

Biederlack

Greven, Germany

President: Richard Alford

Executive vp, Biederlack USA: Peter McCabe

Principal business: blankets, throws

Though most companies that export to the United States only manufacture overseas, Biederlack has found a happy medium with plants both here and in Germany.

Its history with the United States began in the late 1960s, when it started exporting its line of throws, blankets and pillows. However, in 1979, after demand continued to grow, the company decided to put down roots and build a manufacturing facility in Cumberland, MD as well, said Peter McCabe, executive vp, Biederlack USA. The German plant was already servicing a number of other countries, he said, and "they felt that the cost of operations would be easier in the United States than anywhere else."

Now 90 percent of what Biederlack sells is made in Germany, while special items, such as wool products, which require wet finishing capabilities available in the German plant, come from Germany. The new plant, which runs 24 hours a day, six days a week, produces the acrylic and cotton products. Its also been booked for 10 years, McCabe said.

In the past three years, the company has begun sourcing from such countries as Mexico, Spain, Italy and even the United States, with product that complements its line. Besides the Cumberland facility, Biederlack also has a New York showroom. Both the facilities in the United States and Germany are vertical, with spinning, weaving, packaging and such capabilities, with the only difference being that the German mill has dye kettles.