CHICAGO, Illinois -- Industry veteran Murray Engle has been named to the newly created post of residential sales manager for The Mitchell Group, according to Bill Fisch, president.

Engle previously handled major accounts sales at Mitchell.

“With our China business increasing by leaps and bounds and our overall business growing, the timing was perfect for Murph to take on new responsibilities and challenges," said Fisch. "He is an industry legend and we’re thrilled to have him.”

Engle, who will report to John Kessler, national sales manager, will be responsible for Mitchell’s China-to-China sales -- a relatively new and growing area for the Illinois-based coated fabrics company.  In addition, he will manage Mitchell’s domestic furniture sales business and will work closely with major furniture retailers and top manufacturers. He will also be responsible for developing residential business in Canada.

“This is a tremendous opportunity," said Engle. "Mitchell has a great reputation and I am committed to building our existing residential furniture business. Our overall expertise and organization is well-positioned to better serve the industry.” 

Born and raised in Chicago, Murray Engle has more than two decades of industry experience. He began his career in Dalton, GA, working at his family-owned textile factory.  Engle then joined Ametex Fabrics where he held several posts during his 15-year tenure. He later moved to Cone Mills, the largest manufacturer of denim, where he was president of Cone’s Home Furnishing division. He has also served as president for a furniture manufacturing company, and for a top-50 furniture retailer. During his time at Ametex and Cone, Engler and his family lived in Greensboro, NC. Today, he lives in Columbus, OH with his wife. They have two children.

Co-founded by Bill Fisch and Ann Brunett, the Niles, IL.-based Mitchell Group is a textile source and converter for furniture manufacturers and retailers, contract & hospitality, boating and RV markets. Mitchell has products in hotels, casinos, restaurants, offices, and commercial spaces.

The Mitchell Group’s collection includes Sta-Kleen^®, the industry’s first dry-erase urethane upholstery, according to Fish. It is highly abrasion resistant, anti-bacterial, and durable enough to last the life of the furniture.

An area of emerging importance is Mitchell's ReCast® line. It is a technically advanced engineered bonded leather product available in numerous patterns and colors exceeding 300,000 double rubs for abrasion.

Mitchell’s sister company, Big Kahuna Fabrics, is a textile converter of Hawaiian-influenced tropical prints suitable for upholstery, bedding and window treatments. Big Kahuna recently expanded its print offerings through a new division called BKF Home, which offers a textile collection inspired by vintage French grain sacks. The collection is constructed using a recycled cotton yarn and made in the U.S.