Concept III’s role in bringing Glenoit back
20/04/2009
North Carolina sliver knit supplier, Glenoit, has revealed the extent to which performance textile specialist Concept III Textiles played in helping it become wholly US-owned once again.
As highlighted on sportstextiles.com on April 6, Glenoit was purchased by Shanghai-based rival Haixin in 2002 after bankruptcy reorganisation, and went on to suffer a drop in market share and reduction in output before essentially buying itself back as of April 1 this year.
The relationship between Glenoit and Concept III goes back more than a decade. Together, the two companies introduced the GlenPile line of performance piles and Berbers to the outdoor and outerwear markets in the mid 1990s. These textile products were hugely popular for a time, but sales dropped because, according to Bill Trienekens, one of the executives that was responsible for re-establishing Glenoit this year, the company took its markets for granted and failed to react quickly enough to changes in sourcing trends. He also blames “management from afar [from New York]” as one of the reasons for a drop in sales.
However, the Glenoit team has pointed out in recent days that Concept III continued to supply a significant percentage of Glenoit’s orders through thick and thin. “Glenoit’s sherpas and Berbers have always been applicable especially to the outdoor industry,” said David Parkes, Concept III president, in response.
Having been associated with sliver knit production throughout his career, Mr Parkes knows well the features and benefits of piles. “Their high clo value, easy care and appealing textures and aesthetics cannot be duplicated by other fabrics.”
With regard to the recent developments at Glenoit, Mr Parkes said Concept III “is ecstatic” about the changes at the company.
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