Capel Goes Outside The Family

Birnbach Tapped to Take Over From Retiring Brothers

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 9/19/2005 12:00:00 AM

Troy, N.C. — —

Troy, N.C. — For the first time in the 88-year history of family-owned and operated Capel Incorporated, the rug manufacturer and supplier has appointed a non-relative to head operations.

Capel Incorporated last week named Eric Birnbach president and CEO of Capel Inc., Capelsie Mills Inc. and Capel Real Estate and Development Corporation.

For more than the past decade, Birnbach served in various sales and marketing management capacities with McLean, Va.-based Rowe Furniture. He brings 26 years of experience in the industry.

Birnbach, who assumes his new post the first week of October, will be based here at the company's corporate office. He is relocating with his family from New Jersey.

Brothers A. Leon Capel Jr., Jesse S. Capel, and Arron W. E. Capel will retire as executive officers effective Oct. 1, but the three will remain directors of the Capel corporations.

In a company statement, the Capel brothers said they “are confident that, with his 26 years of experience in the home furnishing industry, Eric brings outstanding management competence and impeccable leadership skills to Capel. He is the right person to lead the future growth of the company.”