Textile Designer Buys Mill
November 2, 2004
LOS ANGELES, California – LA Mills Inc., previously named Los Angeles Mills, was acquired from Bill Meyer on September 24 by Michael Koch and Andrew Kohler.
Bill Meyer will stay on during the transition to the new owners, Koch said.
"Phase one is getting out in front of our customers, building direct relationships and then later on, we'll consider the possibility of an open line. In the future, it may be necessary for me to expand Michael Koch Design Studios because new design will create new customers for LA Mills," Koch said.
Koch is not a new name in the home furnishings industry. He has designed many best selling fabrics for Jack Lenor Larsen, Wearbest Mills and Raxon during his career. He established his own studio in January 2003 and continues that studio where he counts Raxon, Braemore and Chamundi Silk Mills among his growing client list.
At the same time, he is personally designing for his newly acquired mill. His decorative jobber clients include some of the top names in the industry on both coasts.
Koch's partner, Andrew Kohler is new to the industry. He will concentrate on the operations side of the business, freeing Michael up to do what he does best — the design and marketing of fabrics. "I also know the importance of building sales. LA Mills was more of an apparel mill years ago but in the last eight years, the shift has turned in the direction of home fabrics. That's what we want to expand," he said.
LA Mills is a dobby mill that concentrates on novelty warps as well as the development of novelty yarns. Woven chenille in a range of natural fibers is a prime feature of the yarn type offered by LA Mills. "We want to focus on the upper end of the market using our unique capabilities," Koch said.
"We also have a wide range of boucles. We make most of our novelty yarns side by side to the weaving in the same plant. We do sell those yarns as a separate business apart from fabric sales. We have 25,000 square feet in downtown Los Angeles. We're renting the building from Bill Meyer who has been running this business since 1975. Bill's father started the mill in 1963, but we own the equipment which includes about 40 dobby looms of various vintages," he said.
In addition to upholstery, LA Mills has a drapery line featuring lino construction. Prices range from $9.95 to $30 but "we may also hit higher price points in the future," said Koch.
Bill Meyer will stay on during the transition to the new owners, Koch said.
"Phase one is getting out in front of our customers, building direct relationships and then later on, we'll consider the possibility of an open line. In the future, it may be necessary for me to expand Michael Koch Design Studios because new design will create new customers for LA Mills," Koch said.
Koch is not a new name in the home furnishings industry. He has designed many best selling fabrics for Jack Lenor Larsen, Wearbest Mills and Raxon during his career. He established his own studio in January 2003 and continues that studio where he counts Raxon, Braemore and Chamundi Silk Mills among his growing client list.
At the same time, he is personally designing for his newly acquired mill. His decorative jobber clients include some of the top names in the industry on both coasts.
Koch's partner, Andrew Kohler is new to the industry. He will concentrate on the operations side of the business, freeing Michael up to do what he does best — the design and marketing of fabrics. "I also know the importance of building sales. LA Mills was more of an apparel mill years ago but in the last eight years, the shift has turned in the direction of home fabrics. That's what we want to expand," he said.
LA Mills is a dobby mill that concentrates on novelty warps as well as the development of novelty yarns. Woven chenille in a range of natural fibers is a prime feature of the yarn type offered by LA Mills. "We want to focus on the upper end of the market using our unique capabilities," Koch said.
"We also have a wide range of boucles. We make most of our novelty yarns side by side to the weaving in the same plant. We do sell those yarns as a separate business apart from fabric sales. We have 25,000 square feet in downtown Los Angeles. We're renting the building from Bill Meyer who has been running this business since 1975. Bill's father started the mill in 1963, but we own the equipment which includes about 40 dobby looms of various vintages," he said.
In addition to upholstery, LA Mills has a drapery line featuring lino construction. Prices range from $9.95 to $30 but "we may also hit higher price points in the future," said Koch.
