Lanscot Arlen Leases Larger Plant, Hires Bolton, Stewart
October 25, 2002
Concord, N.C. (USA) - Lanscot Arlen, whose focus has historically been drapery fabric production, has filled key positions and will begin operating from a new facility by January 1 in order to keep up with growth from expanding its offerings, according to Clement Ramdin, CEO and a principal at the company.
On Monday, (Oct. 21) the company appointed Al Bolton as director of international sales and marketing. The position was newly created. For the past eight months or so, the company said, international sales duties have been handled by committee within the company and by Lanscot's international network of agents. Bolton, who handled international sales for Microfibres for 10 years before taking the position, believes the international market is primed for growth.
"The international marketplace has not been a good one for a lot of companies over the last 10 years, but the opportunity to do it the right way is greater today than ever before," said Bolton. "In Europe the Euro is almost on par with the U.S. dollar. The textile industry worldwide has already experienced its major consolidation, which will continue but not as rapidly as we've seen in the last five years with China, India, Pakistan and other low-cost producers coming on. Those companies that are strong financially with strong basic core values, they can succeed in the international marketplace."
Bolton, plans to add international sales reps, but said he was not yet sure how many nor what parts of the world new reps would target. He said that during the time before Heimtextil Frankfurt (January), he would evaluate the company's products, which now include heavier concentrations of top-of-bed, pillows and linings than in the past.
Meanwhile, Rod Stewart has taken a post as CFO. Stewart, who was most recently CFO for Lexington Fabrics (Alabama), relieves Mike Sider, Lanscot COO, who had been splitting duties.
Ramdin said the company's diversification beyond draperies necessitated the move to new facilities. Lanscot Arlen will remain in Concord, N.C., but at the beginning of the year will begin operations from a leased 150,000 square-foot plant, 30,000 feet larger than its current facilities. The company bought "a lot of new equipment" last year, Ramdin said. F&FI
On Monday, (Oct. 21) the company appointed Al Bolton as director of international sales and marketing. The position was newly created. For the past eight months or so, the company said, international sales duties have been handled by committee within the company and by Lanscot's international network of agents. Bolton, who handled international sales for Microfibres for 10 years before taking the position, believes the international market is primed for growth.
"The international marketplace has not been a good one for a lot of companies over the last 10 years, but the opportunity to do it the right way is greater today than ever before," said Bolton. "In Europe the Euro is almost on par with the U.S. dollar. The textile industry worldwide has already experienced its major consolidation, which will continue but not as rapidly as we've seen in the last five years with China, India, Pakistan and other low-cost producers coming on. Those companies that are strong financially with strong basic core values, they can succeed in the international marketplace."
Bolton, plans to add international sales reps, but said he was not yet sure how many nor what parts of the world new reps would target. He said that during the time before Heimtextil Frankfurt (January), he would evaluate the company's products, which now include heavier concentrations of top-of-bed, pillows and linings than in the past.
Meanwhile, Rod Stewart has taken a post as CFO. Stewart, who was most recently CFO for Lexington Fabrics (Alabama), relieves Mike Sider, Lanscot COO, who had been splitting duties.
Ramdin said the company's diversification beyond draperies necessitated the move to new facilities. Lanscot Arlen will remain in Concord, N.C., but at the beginning of the year will begin operations from a leased 150,000 square-foot plant, 30,000 feet larger than its current facilities. The company bought "a lot of new equipment" last year, Ramdin said. F&FI
