02032015 Rugnews.com Exclusive: Rug Companies Strut New Offerings at Surfaces

RUGNEWS.COM EXCLUSIVE
RUG COMPANIES STRUT NEW OFFERINGS AT SURFACES: MOMENI, NOURISON, KALEEN, COURISTAN AND MORE

LAS VEGAS - Many rug companies did double duty while in Las Vegas in January, first seeing home furnishings retailers at their World Market Center showrooms for Las Vegas Market, and then targeting flooring dealers at Surfaces, which is considered the preeminent show for floor coverings. 

A few rug-oriented companies showed off broadloom collections for the first time, while others with comprehensive assortments in both rugs and broadloom expanded recent collections. 

Following is a RugNews.com recap:

Momeni

"We've had broadloom for 15 years, but the growth has been tremendous since 2011, with sales doubling every year," said Reza Momeni, president, noting that the company's roll runner program has contributed to the success. Five new broadloom collections were shown at Surfaces, including Amazing, a herringbone design made of Wools of New Zealand brand wool. The machine-made carpet has a low profile and sleek look, and features a color palette Momeni said is versatile enough for both residential and commercial installations. "We have hundreds of broadloom styles, all wool, with costs from $29 to $99 a square foot wholesale," he said.

Nourison

"We went crazy," said Gerard O'Keefe, vice president of national sales. O'Keefe was talking about Nourison's number of broadloom introductions-more than ever before at this show-featuring new proprietary yarn systems, new constructions and color updates.  

Chief among them was Twilight's18 SKUs in three patterns, both for broadloom and rugs. "Twilight is an innovative new item that provides a handmade look that just doesn't exist in the marketplace," O'Keefe said. "It has the look and feel of a Tibetan rug at a fraction of the cost." It is a woven Axminster, made with New Zealand Wool and Luxcelle. 

O'Keefe said much of Nourison's beautifully patterned broadloom gets cut into custom size rugs at its fabrication plant in Calhoun, Ga. "There we can do all kinds of custom rug work, and odd and oversized shapes." 

O'Keefe said Nourison's goal at Surfaces was to capture the imagination and inspiration of its dealer base. "They look to us to be a style and color leader. It is incumbent on us to wow them - not just with something that sells, but that inspires and wows. We have collections that really did that this year. We have had plenty of wool and silk looks but this is the first time we have used our branded nylon," he said of lines like the Stardust collection using new "Nourlon Nylon" to create a silken look. 

Announced earlier this month, the acquisition by Nourison of U.S.-based luxury tufted wool broadloom company, Hagaman Carpet, was evident at Surfaces at the Nourison show space. The move brings Nourison into the American manufacturing segment of the flooring business.

Nourison kicked off the International Surface Event with a Roll Special Breakfast, where guests enjoyed special values on Nourison's selection of roll-special products. Participating customers were given the opportunity to "roll the dice" for a chance to win exciting prizes including casino chips, iPods, and iPads.

Kaleen

Winner of two Magnificent Carpet Awards earlier in January at the Atlanta International Area Rug Market, Kaleen used its first-ever appearance at Surfaces to launch a new broadloom and wall-to-wall line. "We've had great feedback," said Blake Dennard, senior vice president. "I think we are definitely filling a niche especially with our flat weaves. Customers have been very receptive."

Compared to broadloom industry giants, Kaleen took out a rather modest 10 x 20-foot booth. "Because this show far exceeded our expectations we would like to double our space for next year," he said.  

Dennard said Kaleen has manufactured broadloom for importers in the past, thus the decision to come out with its own collection made sense. "We don't have to go outside, we don't have to source; we already had the expertise."

The initial launch has 10 styles in the collection and will be sold not only to carpet retailers but will also be fabricated into oversized rugs.

Couristan 

Couristan shined the spotlight on two new broadloom products in its Purity collection. Sherman is hand-loomed in a cut/loop construction that is 75% natural wool and 25% viscose, offered in five colorations. Acacia is hand-loomed in a cut/loop construction that is 50% natural wool, 50% viscose and offered in six shades.  

The mill also showed a strong selection of rugs in soft shades, with 8 x 11 the best sellers. Included in the offerings was the Everlast Collection in a Rosetta pattern.

In all, Couristan premiered 48 new broadloom introductions at Surfaces across its three brand levels. Of particular note was Axminister, a 100% wool line with seven designs, available for residential and hospitality, colors are in blue, grays and greens.

Louis de Poortere

Situated adjacent to Kaleen, Flemish weaver Louis de Poortere says Surfaces is a good show to exhibit it line in the U.S. because "we need the exposure," said Thierry Flamant, vice president of sales, America. 

Louis de Poortere showed attendees some of its signature machine made flat woven rugs from Belgium. "We are a European mill and we are not afraid of it," he said. "We are trying to give the American designer what they perceive as the European look." 

Flamant said the company's European flair serves it well in Los Angeles and New York, as well as Florida and Texas. "Louis de Poortere is a mill of quality and people all over recognize that," he said. "We have our own dye house and spinning in-house. We are a vertically integrated mill and have full production from A to Z." 

One new collection at Surfaces was Urbanite, described as a rugged modern design with a vintage touch. Flamant said this range has been well received at recent international fairs and perfectly fits the current trend in interiors.

Stevens Omni

The buzz around Canadian-based distributor Stevens Omni was its rug display, which holds up to 40 rugs in a pullout 6-foot display. A total floor coverings supplier, Stevens Omni offers dealers over 30 area rug collection from a selection of global suppliers. Mark Compston, owner of Mark's Floors of Minneola and Mt. Dora, FL and Mohawk's 2015 Colorcenter Dealer of the Year, said the rug display was one of the most impressive things he witnessed at Surfaces. "Whoever engineered this did a fabulous job," he said. "I am so overly impressed with this display, plus it doesn't take up a lot of room."

Compston said he is planning to double the size of his area rug business in 2015. "We have a small presence now but not for long," he said.

Prestige Mills

The company showcased some attractive Nepalese (21 in all) and Tibetan style rugs with unique colors in contemporary and traditional patterns. 

At Surfaces, Prestige Mills added to its Mantra collection with 20 new products encompassing 95 SKUs. Included in the line are distinctive woven wool and wool nylon combinations. Prestige also added three color-rich lines;Missoni, Candito (plaid patte) and Dolci.

02.03.15