Mike Derderian, Founder of Royalty, Dies

Irvine, California, April 5, 2013--Mike Derderian, founder of Royalty Carpet Mills, died April 4 at the age of 87.

Derderian started his sales career at age 12, selling Saturday Evening Post magazines. He sold more magazines than anyone in the state of Michigan.

His introduction to the carpet industry came in 1959 when he took a sales position with Wm. H. Green Company, a small distributor from Georgia.

In 1963, he was offered a position with Purvis Wade Carpet Mills of Dalton, Georgia as their west coast sales agent. With this opportunity, Derderian formed MD Sales Agency and hired three salespeople and four office employees. The sales agency grew so quickly that the Georgia manufacturer could no longer meet the needs of his California clientele.

In 1969, Derderian purchased a tufting machine to enter the manufacturing business. His venture into carpet manufacturing began under the corporate name of Royalty Carpet Mills, Inc.

Royalty acquired PacifiCrest Mills in 1992 and Camelot Carpet Mills in 1999. The comapny also started importing ceramic and porcelain tile.

Derderian also served in the U.S. Navy.