Natco Expands Domestic Rug Production
By Cecile B. Corral -- Home Textiles Today, 5/5/2008
West Warwick, R.I. — Natco Products Corp. is expanding its domestic area rug and accent rug machine-made operations, adding 60,000 square feet to its existing 100,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Sanford, Maine.
"Given the dollar's downslide versus the Euro, it is more attractive than ever for buyers to seek out product that is made in the USA," explained Jim Thompson, vp sales and marketing.
He added, "Fortunately our business at that factory has been growing very rapidly. We shop all over the world. But we find we can be very competitive with any factory anywhere, and make [our products] here in the States."
Natco originally entered into a joint venture to produce rugs at the Sanford site. The company bought the factory, taking 100% of its ownership five years ago. Upon purchase, the facility was mainly a producer of low-end BCF (bulk continuous filament) rugs. "That's all gone now," Thompson said.
Natco has since invested in new equipment and upgraded all of its looms.
"We've converted every loom, taking them from five-color to eight-color looms," Thompson said. "We've increased the recount, or density, allowing us to make the more detailed, fine quality rugs."
The machine-made rugs produced at the factory range from entry level heat-set polypropylene varieties, through high-end million-point rugs made to cater to Natco's higher-end Central Oriental division, which serves department and specialty stores.
Most of the factory's production today concentrates on the million-point rugs. Retail price points for the rugs made in Sanford range from $99 to $299 for 5-by-8 sizes.
