Kruishoutem — For the past year, Beaulieu has been making its upholstery in Ploiesti, Romania as well as part of the Ragolle brand from Waregem. The Beaulieu  Group, largely concerned with the manufacture of carpet, has quietly owned the Ragolle Fabrics brand since November, 2013 and it is expected that production of Ragolle Fabrics by the original Ragolle factory will cease in 2016. Tessutica, a new division of Beaulieu, which includes Beaulieu and Ragolle upholstery, will produce the Ragolle brand. Ragolle will continue to produce rugs which had been the major business of the Ragolle family—not upholstery. “Beaulieu has bought a very successful business with Ragolle. For the past two years it has been going well,” according to Luc Vandewiele. “We want to be strong in the European market.” Christa Vandewiele, General Manager of Beaulieu International and Luc’s wife, actually set up the factory in Ploiesti, Romania and early reports indicate it is a smashing success for Beaulieu. This factory has created a new tumbled finished for Beaulieu jacquard which is described as a softer hand than previously. Still, others would argue that the skills of the Belgian workers are superior and something is lost in the process when the factory is moved. Beaulieu has found a way to technically improve its offering in the case of its tumbled finish in Romania. “We cannot replace the skills of the Belgian weavers,” says Laurent Mainaud, owner of Bayart Vanoutryve, an old French mill that he purchased and then produced the line in Mouscron, Belgium.