Purcell-Letchinger ups high-end mix with Penelope

HIGH POINT, NC — Penelope, an eight-year-old Turkish weaving mill, has joined the family of global decorative fabric producers at Purcell-Letchinger, which has become its U.S distributor.

Penelope has its roots as a design house of decorative fabrics for 47 years, said Ismail Cansever, export manager of the Bursa, Turkey-based company. "We specialize in unusual constructions, including leather inserts, and fabrics that are unusual in effect through shrinking and mostly natural fibers like voscose, linen and cotton, although there is some polyester."

In Turkey, Cansever noted, "We have 14 franchise retail stores selling only our products at the high end of the price point structure. We get feedback from end users. The stores also supply manufacturers for our domestic business."

For Andrew Purcell, president of Purcell-Letchinger, the addition of Penelope "fits very nicely with our other companies in maintaining the high-end, unique image." The other companies are Algemene and Bruvatex, both of Belgium; Decoviz of Portugal; Spinhutte of Germany; and Zensilk of India.

Purcell added, "Through their extensive design staff they are able to adapt their beautiful and unique looks to the North American market. It usually takes a year before an off-shore company catches on, but from May until now everything was properly done, including sampling and labeling requirements."

In fact, Purcell remarked, "When I went there to make final selections, their suggestions were the same as mine."

The fabrics are woven to order with a six- to eight-week delivery, he added. Price ranges are from $15 to the low $30s, including leather.