Trendex, Crypton Align for High-Performance Textiles

By Cecile B. Corral -- Home Textiles Today, 3/9/2010 12:00:00 AM

At the New York Market —

Trendex Home Designs Inc. and high-performance fabric brand Crypton have joined forces to create a collection of table linens that are resistant to weather damage, mildew, mold and bacteria among other nuisances.

“They are indestructible,” summed up Lorraine Ragland Maberry, svp, Trendex.

Trendex soft-launched its Crypton-branded line last September with a small program made up of only two solid-colored groupings — a textured basic look and a more fashion-oriented circle-motif pattern — interpreted on placemats, runners and chair pads and available in five solid colors each.

Building on the early reaction to that initial line, “we've expanded the pattern and color selection and we will be showing them at market,” Ragland Maberry said.

The new assortment includes six new solid textures available in five colors each; and four patterns, including a printed design, available in four to six colors each.

Because of Crypton's patented performance benefits on its fabrics — which include permanent resistance to stains, spills, odors, bacteria, mold and mildew as well as a guaranteed moisture barrier — Trendex is positioning these products to retail at a higher bracket than its average offerings.

Co-branded as Crypton and Trendex, these products are set to retail for $6.99 to $8.99 for a placemat, vs. Trendex's house-line placemats which retail for $3.99 to $5.99 each. Also, each item will feature a label touting the product's features and benefits.

Trendex is also offering the line to the hospitality market, which Crypton already serves in other product categories.

Trendex is manufacturing its Crypton program at its factory in Shanghai. The plan is to add other categories, like tablecloths, to the assortment in the near future.