Welspun Flexing Global Sinews

New York — Welspun, the Mumbai, India-based producer of towels that entered the sheet market over the last two years, and more recently announced its entry into decorative bedding, is unveiling goods this market that reflect the power and flexibility of its global support structure.

Humberto Tello, the new president and ceo of the Welspun Decorative/Utility Bedding Division, said, "We have an opportunity to create a new strategic model that maximizes the potential of every global sourcing center and delivers the ultimate in product quality, design newness and logistics coordination."

Tello pointed to Welspun's major new production facility in Juarez, Mexico, and lauded the experience of the recently formed bedding design group, headed by Gary Filippone. "It is no longer about outsourcing," said Tello, "but out-planning and out-executing the market wherever that takes us." Among the new Welspun design and sourcing team members, said Tello:

• Cathy Thorne, head of product development and global sourcing. Most recently vp of product development, bedding at Springs Global, Thorne previously held posts at Nike Apparel, Sara Lee Intimates Apparel, and Playtex.
• Bette Rinderman, bedding designer, formerly a design director at Springs Global. Has more than 20 years experience in printed and jacquard fabric design.
• Natalie Donaruma, bedding designer/stylist. Most recently at Springs Industries.
• Arnold Gonzalez, director of operations based in Juarez, formerly supervised decorative bedding programs at Kaltex.
• Mike Mucciarone, product manager; worked in forecasting, merchandising and development with Springs Industries, with Mexican and Asian experience
• Tim Landers will now head up Welspun sales and marketing for both sheets and decorative bedding.

Marketing director Bob Hamilton told HTT the far flung yet closely-tied people and systems in place stem directly from "the realities of combining simple economics and customer-based logistics." He said, "When you move from core products in towels and sheets to the embellished universe, proximity counts." He pointed to the Welspun network of fabric weaving in India, decorative sourcing in China, warehousing and finishing in Mexico, and logistics and design in Charlotte, N.C.

One of the first lines to benefit is the Luxus collection in bed and bath. A new towel set in the Luxus Atmospheres line has ultra-soft, zero twist in very fine yarn, available in 20 colors.