American Textile Co. Expands, Promotes

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 10/20/2008 12:00:00 AM

Duquesne, Pa. —

While much has been said about the slumping home textiles industry, at least one domestic resource — American Textile Co. — can report real expansion as it takes stock of 2008.

The basic bedding manufacturer is projecting a 30% increase in "total gross sales" for 2008 over 2007 — noting that its pillow business alone has nearly doubled this year. The company has built physical plant extensions and added significantly to its workforce. Specifically, American Textile has added 315 jobs across all its three operating facilities here and in Dallas and Salt Lake City; the latter plant has been built out by more than 50%.

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"The significant growth we are experiencing at American Textile Company is being driven by our ability to anticipate market needs and provide value-based solution offerings to our customers and consumers," said Jennifer Katz, vp marketing communications.

Katz added that in the past year, the company has sought out specific product needs in the market, and then found ways to "answer those needs with innovative solutions rooted in science."

Applied science led to this year's extension of the Aller-Ease product line, an allergen-barrier solution that has become the company's flagship brand.

Among the employee promotions made this year at American Textile Co., including several in recent weeks are the following.

Operations: Lance Ruttenberg to coo; John Poremba to vp, corporate purchasing and transportation, Jim Kelly to vp, Eastern and Central American Division; and Randy Cowder to vp, Western and Southern Divisions. Additionally, Mark Bachner was hired as svp, operations.

Sales and Marketing: Blake Ruttenberg to evp, sales and marketing; Paul Stark to svp, sales; Michael Guidry to svp, marketing; Ruth Thompson to vp, product development; and Jennifer Katz to vp, marketing communications. Additionally, Paul Nagel was hired as vp, Wal-Mart Team.

Finance: John Riccio to svp, finance and cfo; and Karen Kurey to vp, finance.

The company, whose product range includes mattress and pillow protectors, bed pillows and mattress pads, feels it is just hitting its stride: "We are forecasting additional growth of nearly 20% in 2009," said Katz.