Westgate Acquires Quaker Brazil
February 7, 2008
NEW YORK, New York – Westgate has announced their purchase of the Brazilian assets of the now dissolved decorative fabric supplier Quaker Fabrics.
Quaker filed for bankruptcy about six months ago and earlier this week, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court approved Westgate's purchase of Quaker Textil Do Brasil LTDA, based in Sao Paolo.
Westgate operates international distribution centers in Shanghai, Mexico and Belgium in addition to a 275,000-square-foot U.S. distribution center in South Carolina. Former general manager of Quaker Brazil Rodrigo Prieto, will continue his role and will report to Billy DeSousa, vice president of international sales, as well as to Li. With the exception of Brazil, Westgate's regional sales manager based in Argentina, Osvaldo Schenquerman, will continue to manage exports to Central and South America.
Westgate will market decorative fabrics under the Quaker brand in Brazil, a name which is well-respected and important to the decorative fabric trade there, according to Li.
The Brazilian acquisition provides more fuel to the fire that Westgate has successfully kept blazing in recent years. The company announced record sales performance in 2007, with an increase of more than 30 percent in sales of home fashions and accessories.
Li stated that the company is expanding aggressively with new categories of merchandise and an expansion of existing lines. According to statements from the company, total sales for Westgate are in excess of $160 million. The new management team, headed by Tom Coughlin, and new product development and supply chain improvements are what Li said have driven the company strongly forward.
The parent company of Westgate was founded in China more than 15 years ago and owns a print plant, dyeing and finishing facility, a trimming plant, three finished product facilities, six weaving mills and a design studio in China. Westgate also added 150,000 square feet of manufacturing space to its cut-and-sew-facilities and purchased 20 acres of land to further expand this year.
Quaker filed for bankruptcy about six months ago and earlier this week, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court approved Westgate's purchase of Quaker Textil Do Brasil LTDA, based in Sao Paolo.
Westgate operates international distribution centers in Shanghai, Mexico and Belgium in addition to a 275,000-square-foot U.S. distribution center in South Carolina. Former general manager of Quaker Brazil Rodrigo Prieto, will continue his role and will report to Billy DeSousa, vice president of international sales, as well as to Li. With the exception of Brazil, Westgate's regional sales manager based in Argentina, Osvaldo Schenquerman, will continue to manage exports to Central and South America.
Westgate will market decorative fabrics under the Quaker brand in Brazil, a name which is well-respected and important to the decorative fabric trade there, according to Li.
The Brazilian acquisition provides more fuel to the fire that Westgate has successfully kept blazing in recent years. The company announced record sales performance in 2007, with an increase of more than 30 percent in sales of home fashions and accessories.
Li stated that the company is expanding aggressively with new categories of merchandise and an expansion of existing lines. According to statements from the company, total sales for Westgate are in excess of $160 million. The new management team, headed by Tom Coughlin, and new product development and supply chain improvements are what Li said have driven the company strongly forward.
The parent company of Westgate was founded in China more than 15 years ago and owns a print plant, dyeing and finishing facility, a trimming plant, three finished product facilities, six weaving mills and a design studio in China. Westgate also added 150,000 square feet of manufacturing space to its cut-and-sew-facilities and purchased 20 acres of land to further expand this year.
