LOS ANGELES, California - Chris Stone Inc., a vertical converter since 1976 with its own printing and dyeing facilities near Los Angeles, has reportedly closed its doors after failing to find a buyer for its business.

Although this could not be definitely confirmed by F&FI, rumors of its demise were circulating in the industry since before the new year and continued to circulate at Heimtextil last week in Frankfurt, Germany. The CEO, Bryan Wygle left the company this past December after 18 months with the company.

Company officials could not be reached by F&FI. Telephone calls to the main number of the company go unanswered and no voice recordings are forthcoming. Sales reps for the company have been left in limbo as to the future of the company but they feel it has probably closed. However, no official notices have been published by the company or any other media.

With the U.S. furniture industry in a trough and with upholstery prints less than two percent of sales, Chris Stone, a printer, apparently could no longer survive in the market. The company was founded by Chris Stone who passed away several years ago. He was closely associated with the contemporary handwriting the company was known for and was considered the only voice the company ever had.