Phoenix Down ups direct shipping capabilities

By Michele SanFilippo -- Home Textiles Today, 4/19/2004 12:00:00 AM

TOTOWA, N.J. —

Phoenix Down has opened two direct shipping locations of 75,000 and 80,000 square feet, respectively, in Charlotte, N.C., and Walnut, Calif., adding to its warehouse and direct shipping in Little Falls, N.J., and manufacturing plant here.

Currently, 40 percent of its business is direct shipping, but that will continue to grow, according to the company.

"We are extremely versatile because we have direct shipping and domestic manufacturing," said John Facatselis, president and CEO. "We also have quality control people that work with five partner facilities in the Zhejiang province of China, back up our merchandise out of China, and warehouse our products for up to six months."

Facatselis explained that Phoenix Down has decided to grow its business by focusing on the luxury area of utility bedding. "We've done a lot with trading up on covers and treatments in recent markets," he said.

On the high end, Phoenix Down has introduced the Silk Works collection featuring 550 to 750 fill power, 400-count to 1,000-count (two-ply) silk cotton fabrication and end-to-end bafflebox construction with a 1.5-inch gusset. Three designs were offered at the recent New York Home Textiles Market: checkered, geometric and traditional stripe.

The company also had two new featherbeds: a down top and a pinched bafflebox. It was the first time Phoenix Down showed polyester mattress pads with 250-count damask covers up to 400-count sateen and pima covers, all oversized to fit any size mattress. Also, the company showed 20-inch square silk dec pillows filled with white goose feathers in six different styles.

In blankets, there was a new fleece blanket and a 300-count white goose down striped blanket. Also new were down alternative blankets with two-inch sateen borders and seven-inch box quilting. Other new stitching patterns included a double-diamond stitch and a Greek key motif in four to five pastel colors.

In addition, there were solid-color faux suede and embossed faux suede blankets and throws in multiple geometric designs and florals.