Swatches

BAY SHORE, NY — In moves that are part of its product expansion strategy, Duralee has added a regional sales manager, breaking up its southwest/central U.S. sales territory.

Tom Paonessa, formerly southwest sales manager for Kravet, has joined the company as southwest sales manager, a new position. He is responsible for sales in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and New Mexico.

Lou Bell, who formerly was responsible for those states, continues as sales manager for Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Utah and western Tennessee.

Frank Denzer, formerly with Robert Allen, has joined the company as northeast sales manager. He succeeds Bob Katz who is no longer with the firm.

In addition Eddy Rodriguez has joined the company as sales rep for south Florida and Central America.

NEW YORK — Michael Koch has formed Michael Koch Designs, a design studio first specializing in woven decorative fabrics, then printed fabrics.

Koch, formerly executive vp, design for Wearbest Sil-Tex Mills, left the company in December '02, saying at that time, "after 10 years with Wearbest, I need to regroup and reevaluate myself." Koch had won a number of awards for fabric design including two at Decosit in Brussels.

Koch's studio, at 140 Perry Street here, currently is developing a signature collection for Braemore that will launch in October, a collection for Jacquard Fabrics, and a hand-woven silk collection.

"My goal is to develop a stable of accounts that are non-competitive. I want to promote what can be created in this country," Koch commented. "It's also wonderful working with a converter with the opportunities via their expansive reach. The fabric business is all about design — both residential and contract."