SAINT GEORGES, Quebec — Contract continues to be the most important market for Victor Textile Mills with at least 70% of its overall business and double digit gains in 2011, according to its owner, Alain Duval.

Duval admitted the recession was quite strong and his accounting background came in handy in reducing the operating costs six months after making the Quaker Fabrics acquisition in Fall River, MA.

“Today we have a very good operation in Fall River," said Duval. "We have increased our business volume with reduced lead-times to our customers. I think the contract market will grow overall but we expect to increase market share as well as develop a still growing contract seating and panel cloth market  for the healthcare, hospitality and corporate markets."

Duval expects business to be stronger in the second half of 2011. Duval said Victor will introduce its first Eco Intelligence® contract woolen lines this autumn with Agion®, GreenShield® and ESPX finishes certified by MBDC, a third party certification firm based in Virginia.

Victor has a long history of wool yarn usage and has 65 years in the fashion industry and now will launch the wool contract lines. These lines will be based on a Melton flannel type of product with a texture and piece dyed varieties in the $20 range, according to Duval.

“We continue to invest in the sustainability and ecology area," said Duval. "We expect to gradually offer sustainable products in the residential arena with less damaging chemistry to the environment and representing a real value to consumers."

This is the 10^th anniversary of Victor’s Eco Intelligence initiative which is a gold or silver cradle-to-cradle sustainability effort. The program started with Steelcase and Designtex seating and cubicle fabric for the healthcare, hospitality and corporate markets.

“We have a long list of customers using our Eco Intelligence fabrics," said Duval. "This includes both recycled and post consumer polyester.”