New York City-based window coverings and home textiles manufacturer Louis Hornick and Co. Inc. is investing $2.5 million to relocate its operations to Allendale, S.C. The company will renovate a 103,000-square-foot former textile plant that will house its manufacturing operations and create 125 jobs in South Carolina over the next three years.
"Every aspect of this venture is geared toward offering the most options to our retail partners and manufacturing the highest quality products the American consumer demands and deserves," said Louis "Tripp" Hornick III, COO, Louis Hornick and Co. "We aren't just building a facility — we are moving to South Carolina."
The fourth-generation family-owned company was founded in New York City in 1918. The new plant in South Carolina will manufacture window covering fabrics — including Louis Hornick's firefend? line of flame-retardant window treatments — using a highly automated cut/sew/packaging process.
"With our new facility we are not only cost competitive with China and India, but we reduce our lead-time by 50 percent," said Louis Hornick II, chairman and CEO. "Our put-through time ensures an out of stock store, from unforecasted demand, is back in stock within the week. Our 'Made in America' products will provide the superior quality the American consumer expects and deserves."
Louis Hornick will supply fabrics to markets including dotcom, institutional, hospitality and commercial. It also will continue to supply its fabrics to Walmart, supporting that company's commitment to purchase $50 billion in U.S.-manufactured products over the next 10 years (See " From The Editor: $50 Billion — Walmart's 10-year Commitment," TextileWorld.com, January/February 2013 ).
"As a 40-year supplier to Walmart, we thank them for taking the lead on supporting U.S. manufacturing, and we could not be more pleased to continue to work together," said Louis Hornick II. "This is a great day for Hornick, South Carolina and America."
"Louis Hornick's decision to open a factory in South Carolina shows that revitalization of U.S. manufacturing is possible," said Michelle Gloeckler, senior vice president of Home, Walmart. "This is a great illustration of what can be accomplished when business leaders, government officials and companies work together."
Base operations at Louis Hornick and Co.'s new Allendale facility have begun, and full production is scheduled to commence in January 2014.
