Biederlack Offers Major X-Static Line

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 8/7/2007 12:00:00 AM

At the New York Market —

Biederlack of America has brought out a range of products in bedding and bath employing the X-Static silver fiber system, which is anti-microbial, eliminates odor, and regulates temperature.

Long known for its throw business — and in recent years its blankets — Biederlack is introducing X-Static in sheets, acrylic blend blankets and throws, cotton blend blankets and bath towels.

"This is a major step for us," said John McMullen, national sales manager. "It gives us the opportunity to see new product evolve in the next few years."

Utility bedding manufacturer United Feather & Down also has an X-Static license, and between the two, "We could outfit the entire bedding shop," said Michelle Harrison, import product manager, sales and marketing, Biederlack.

The program is divided into better/best tiers. The Natural Elements line speaks to the better segment, with suggested retails of $79.99 for queen acrylic blanket, $119.99 on a queen cotton blanket, $205 on a queen sheet set, and $39.99 on a 30-in. by 60-in. bath towel.

Silver Comfort, the top of the line, offers suggested retails of $89.99 for the queen acrylic blanket, $129.99 on a queen cotton blanket, $235.99 on queen 30-count sheet set, and $44.99 on a 17.75-lb. bath towel.

Moving forward, Biederlack hopes to develop kitchen textiles, robes and slippers using X-Static.

"While there are a lot of new technologies out there, this is not an ion-based technology. It won't wash out," said Harrison.

Despite the health enhancing, odor-defeating and heat-regulating attributes, Biederlack "is really emphasizing the comfort, the hand and the luxury," noted McMullen.

Biederlack also introduced a new license in its throw category: The New York Botanical Garden. Aimed at higher-end accounts, the line is based on prints from the Botanical Garden's library. By next market, Biederlack plans to move the license into beach towels.

Among some of its "iconic lifestyle" licenses — such as Ford, Mack and John Deere — Biederlack has added vintage imagery recalling the motifs of the 1950s and '60s.