Think locally, produce...wherever

Rug manufacturers split over the strategy of importing

By Cecile B. Corral -- Home Textiles Today, 2/26/2001 12:00:00 AM

NEW YORK -For many American area rug companies like Couristan, Claire Murray, 828 International Trading and Harounian Rugs International, importing has long been the bread and butter of their businesses.

But for many others that manufacture and distribute domestically, like Mohawk, Brumlow Mills, Georgia Tufters, Natco/Central Oriental and Orian Rugs, importing is becoming an increasingly promising way to grab a nominal share of the business, but a share nonetheless.

As David Starr, national sales manager for Orian Rugs, explained: "It's an easier capacity issue."

David Record, vp, national sales manager for Georgia Tufters, described it as the new way of doing business with national retailers.

"We tap into our importing business when the need arises, when a customer specially requests product," Record said.

Like Georgia Tufters, Mohawk Home got into importing as a means of nurturing its relationship with some of its major retail customers and has since then increased it to 10 percent of its area rugs division from just 2 percent.

The following alphabetical listing tracks what some of the major area rug vendors are importing and/or producing domestically: