Van De Wiele (VDW), one of the biggest manufacturers of high performing machines for the textile industry with headquarters in Belgium, has announced a $5 million investment in a new facility in Chattanooga TN. Following last year’s acquisition of the tufting machine manufacturer Cobble, VDW has confirmed that it will build a new facility in the area.
The new facility will be on Relocation Way, Ooltewah (Chattanooga), just a few miles from VDW’s US manufacturing plant. Following the building completion, Van De Wiele plans to move all of its US operations to the Chattanooga area, a process expected to be completed by the end of 2014.
“The construction of this new facility will put us in an ideal location to support the carpet industry,” said Bob Harding, President of Van De Wiele. “Its proximity to Atlanta with the improved air links to the rest of the US and Central America will also put us in a better position to support our activities in knitting, weaving and tufting across the entire market. We are all looking forward to this exciting new chapter for the Van De Wiele Group in the US.”
The new facility will provide service and support for all of VDW’s operations in the US, with the focal point being a ‘state-of-the-art’ sampling and development center for tufting.
“Chattanooga is the birthplace of tufting with a long tradition in the flooring industry,” said Mr. Charles Beauduin, CEO of the parent company Michel Van De Wiele NV in Belgium. “It is also home to a number of businesses which are market leaders in other fields. This bodes well for the future of the area. Our investment in this new facility is a clear indication of our intent to build on Cobble’s long tradition in tufting, as well as continuing to develop our support for the US textile industry as a whole.”
Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke observed: “Van de Wiele is a leader in the global textile industry, and it’s great to see a world class supplier not only establishing a presence in Chattanooga, but making Chattanooga operations central to their organization.”
Charles Wood, Vice President of Economic Development at the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce, also applauded the decision. “Van de Wiele’s plan for the Chattanooga facility to represent the center of their US presence speaks to the international appeal of Chattanooga and broadens our growing base of European companies.”
The Van de Wiele Group of Companies, which has about a dozen production units worldwide, is one of the leading suppliers to the textile industry. In addition to its activities in the textile industry, it is also involved in bulkhandling, micro-electronics and drives which are supplied to other industries.