CHICAGO, Illinois — The Mitchell Group of Niles, Il., has entered into an agreement with Zhejiang Tonghui Textiles of Zhejiang, China, to be the company’s exclusive North American distributor,  according to Bill Fisch. President of Mitchell.

The arrangement represents Mitchell’s first foray into the residential soft fabric business. It allows Mitchell to supply  polyester bodycloth to furniture manufacturers in the $3.95-$6.50 price range, Fisch said. “We will also be able to sell the furniture manufacturer our line of faux leathers.”Residential is only two percent of Mitchell’s business he said, so there is room for growth. We expect to double our business with the Chinese line addition.” Bill Fisch, principal of Mitchell Fabrics, Chicago, IL

“Our agreement with Tonghui provides Mitchell an incredible opportunity to bring greater diversity to our line that will result in offering significant values in soft goods, as well as Mitchell’s numerous categories of faux leather looks.  In addition, The Mitchell Group will be able to offer customers China-to-China sales as well as FOB,” Fisch said.

The Mitchell Group was co-founded by Bill Fisch and Ann Brunett. The Niles, IL based Mitchell Group is an importer and converter for furniture manufacturers and retailers, contract and hospitality, boating and RV markets.  The Mitchell Group’s collection includes Sta-Kleen®, a dry-erase urethane upholstery. Mitchell’s ReCast® collection is an    engineered, bonded leather product available in a wide variety of patterns and colors, many exceeding 100,000 double rubs for abrasion. Mitchell’s sister company, Big Kahuna Fabrics, is a leading textile converter of Hawaiian-influenced tropical prints suitable for upholstery, bedding and window treatments.

Zhejiang Tonghui Textiles specializes in the production of polyester fabrics including, suede, artificial leather, velboa, panne, tricot brushed, and corduroy, Fisch explained.  “They have extensive printing and embossing capabilities that supply the company’s product groups: furniture fabrics and leather, and decorative fabrics.”

Zhejiang Tonghui Textile was founded in 1980 as a large fabric manufacturer, located in Tongxiang City, Zhejiang province, China. According to Fisch, “Tonghui has a warp-knitting company, and three dyeing houses -- dyeing knitting fabrics, woven fabrics and cotton fabrics separately. It owns 40 Karl-Mayer warp-knitting machines imported from Germany.   The company employs some 1500 workers. Recent exports sales reached $20 million,” Fisch said.