Chatham Launches Contract Product
April 10, 2001
Elkin, N.C. – Chatham Inc. will unveil a breakthrough product for the contract market this Spring, according to sources within the company. Its solution-dyed nylon fabrics, with two patented, chemically engineered performance enhancers, target clients in the hotel, healthcare and high-end corporate sectors.
Since the 120-year-old upholstery fabric weaver was bought by the international carpet-manufacturing giant Interface Inc. 10 months ago, Chatham has been the beneficiary of more than $14 million from its new parent company. $3 million of that has been funneled into the development of solution-dyed nylon fabrics.
"We've targeted this as an area for major market growth," said Chatham, Inc. vice president, Jeff Irwin.
The value and functionality of the Chatham's solution-dyed nylon fabrics is derived largely from two coatings the company developed. Inter/vene (patent pending) provides moisture-resistance, and according to Chatham, also resists odors, stains and wear without sacrificing breathability. BlockaidePlusTM is a free extra that comes on all of the new fabrics and functions to provide the products with easy cleanability and stain-blocking resistance against urine, suntan lotion and bleach among others.
"You can't knock the color off it; that's what it comes down to," said Jim Shaw, director of service and support.
The company applied for patents on the finishes the day it was interviewed by F&FI. The coatings – which it applies on-site – forgo high-temperature curing in order to avoid degrading the structure and color of the nylon yarns. Chatham is currently developing modifications of Inter/Vene for use with their other yarns and fabrics. In the near term, it hopes to apply it to polyolefins.
"We saw an opportunity to push into the high-performance, decorative fabric market with a product offering that will be unique," said Jeff Irwin, vice president, furniture fabrics. "What we're doing that makes it unique is that we're offering design, esthetic and performance at low price points. End-in-end warps, tapestry warps are our standard offerings."
Chatham also offers a limited 10-year warranty on the solution-dyed nylon products.
The solution-dyed nylon fabrics range from $8.95 to $18.95 per yard depending on the construction. Chatham offers eight patterns in the open line. It also provides proprietary colors and construction options to key accounts globally.
In the two years it's taken Chatham to bring the new product to market, the company has added substantial jacquard weaving capacity and acquired new extrusion equipment – a $2.5 million investment. Chatham said the new extruding equipment, which will be running by June, will enable quicker changes and shorter runs. It is keeping its original extruding machinery for long runs.
The company has in the works its second open solution-dyed nylon line, which will target mainly seating manufacturers. "For the next line, we'll add texture with different yarns – novelty yarns in solution-dyed to further the texture story," said Shantel Mack, Chatham, Inc. contract fabrics design manager.
"We're going to defend the nylon seating segment" – Chatham holds a 30% share of the North American market for office chair seating fabrics – "and we'll have doubled our capacity for production in the next 12 months," said Irwin.
During Proposte (2-5 May; Como, Italy), Chatham will be demonstrating the attributes of the solution-dyed nylon fabrics at the Il Grande hotel. Stateside, the company will unveil the product at private showings during NeoCon (16-18 June; Chicago).
Since the 120-year-old upholstery fabric weaver was bought by the international carpet-manufacturing giant Interface Inc. 10 months ago, Chatham has been the beneficiary of more than $14 million from its new parent company. $3 million of that has been funneled into the development of solution-dyed nylon fabrics.
"We've targeted this as an area for major market growth," said Chatham, Inc. vice president, Jeff Irwin.
The value and functionality of the Chatham's solution-dyed nylon fabrics is derived largely from two coatings the company developed. Inter/vene (patent pending) provides moisture-resistance, and according to Chatham, also resists odors, stains and wear without sacrificing breathability. BlockaidePlusTM is a free extra that comes on all of the new fabrics and functions to provide the products with easy cleanability and stain-blocking resistance against urine, suntan lotion and bleach among others.
"You can't knock the color off it; that's what it comes down to," said Jim Shaw, director of service and support.
The company applied for patents on the finishes the day it was interviewed by F&FI. The coatings – which it applies on-site – forgo high-temperature curing in order to avoid degrading the structure and color of the nylon yarns. Chatham is currently developing modifications of Inter/Vene for use with their other yarns and fabrics. In the near term, it hopes to apply it to polyolefins.
"We saw an opportunity to push into the high-performance, decorative fabric market with a product offering that will be unique," said Jeff Irwin, vice president, furniture fabrics. "What we're doing that makes it unique is that we're offering design, esthetic and performance at low price points. End-in-end warps, tapestry warps are our standard offerings."
Chatham also offers a limited 10-year warranty on the solution-dyed nylon products.
The solution-dyed nylon fabrics range from $8.95 to $18.95 per yard depending on the construction. Chatham offers eight patterns in the open line. It also provides proprietary colors and construction options to key accounts globally.
In the two years it's taken Chatham to bring the new product to market, the company has added substantial jacquard weaving capacity and acquired new extrusion equipment – a $2.5 million investment. Chatham said the new extruding equipment, which will be running by June, will enable quicker changes and shorter runs. It is keeping its original extruding machinery for long runs.
The company has in the works its second open solution-dyed nylon line, which will target mainly seating manufacturers. "For the next line, we'll add texture with different yarns – novelty yarns in solution-dyed to further the texture story," said Shantel Mack, Chatham, Inc. contract fabrics design manager.
"We're going to defend the nylon seating segment" – Chatham holds a 30% share of the North American market for office chair seating fabrics – "and we'll have doubled our capacity for production in the next 12 months," said Irwin.
During Proposte (2-5 May; Como, Italy), Chatham will be demonstrating the attributes of the solution-dyed nylon fabrics at the Il Grande hotel. Stateside, the company will unveil the product at private showings during NeoCon (16-18 June; Chicago).