GLENOIT: COOKS IN KITCHEN.(Brief Article)

LEADING SUPPLIER RUGS SPECIALIZES IN PRODUCT INNOVATION, TOP QUALITY AND SUPERIOR SERVICE

NEW YORK-- The name Glenoit is nearly synonymous with kitchen rugs--indeed, the company virtually invented the kitchen slice category two decades ago, and continues to be the dominant player in this small but growing market niche.

"One of our biggest strengths is the fact that we're very focused on the kitchen environment," asserts Kevin Kennedy, president and chief operating officer of Glenoit Consumer Products. "We're a true specialist in the land of `everyone-does-everything.'"

Glenoit Consumer Products, a division of diversified fabric and home furnishings supplier Glenoit Corp., is consistently expanding its product range and channels of distribution to maintain its rapid growth. "Our business has increased 50 percent over the past four years," Kennedy points out. "We've done this through a combination of new products, new technologies and excellent service for the middle tier and mass market retailers."

Glenoit concentrates on offering its customers the key constructions and sizes in kitchen rugs, and also recently entered the accent/scatter rug category. "We offer a full range of tufted and non-woven needlepunch rugs, as well as some knitted rugs, all in washable constructions," Kennedy explains. "In kitchen rugs, the most popular sizes are the 18-by-30 inch and 20-by-40 inch size, as well as the half-moon slices; while on the accent side, we're offering 21-by-34s, 30-by-50s, 24-by-60 runners and 40-by-60s.

"As kitchens get larger and new construction focuses on the whole `great room' concept, there is room for bigger rugs as well as more rugs in the kitchen and dining area," Kennedy adds.

Glenoit offers a wide range of decorative options in both kitchen and accent rugs, including fashion-forward solid colors, heat-transfer printed rugs, screen printed rugs and Chromajet printed rugs.