BRUSSELS, Belgium — Microfibres has closed flock  production lines in its Microfibres Europe plant in Laarne, Belgium and plans to send greige fabric from its US plants in Winston-Salem, NC  and Pawtucket,  RI to meet the needs of its European customers.

Dyeing and finishing of the American flock produced by microfibers will be dyed and printed in Laarne. The decision was made over the summer and the Laarne flock equipment is expected to be sold though Microfibres executive Mike Czarnecki wouldn’t confirm that fact. “We have yet to determine what to do with the equipment in Laarne,” he said.

“Our customers will know difference in the microfibers product they will receive with the changeover,” he pointed out. The move was prompted by a pickup in US flock sales due to some furniture manufacturers moving back from China to the NAFTA region. For example, La-Z-Boy, a major account for Microfibres is doing cut and sew in a Mexican facility which is also distributing its furniture to the States, Czarnecki said.

While demand for flock has slowed in Europe, it is stable according to Wim Van Der Aa, the principal of Microfibers Logistics, the distributor for Microfibres products in Europe.   At the same time, Czarnecki said that China is becoming an important buyer of Microfibres products at good prices in the $7 plus range and higher. “China likes Made in USA and Made in Europe product,” he pointed out.  

Yulia Koroleva , designer for Leathertouch, St, Petersburg, Russia with Mike Czarnecki, Vice President, Sales and Marketing for Microfibres, Winston Salem, NC USA with Ramillia A. Zhafyarova, Director of the Board member of Leathertouch. Leathertouch is a distributor of Microfibres product in Russia.