The Dixie Group Acquires Atlas Carpet Mills

Chattanooga, TN, March 14, 2014 -- The Dixie Group said it will acquire Atlas Carpet Mills, a high-end manufacturer and marketer of commercial flooring in Los Angeles, in an all cash transaction.

Closing of the acquisition is scheduled for Wednesday, March 19. Atlas will operate as a separate brand within the Dixie portfolio.

“We are very pleased to announce our agreement to acquire Atlas," said CEO Daniel K. Frierson.

"Dixie and Atlas have had a long relationship that goes back over 40 years. Jim Horwich, founder of Atlas, will remain with us as president of Atlas, reporting to Kennedy Frierson, Dixie’s chief operating officer. Mark Nestler, executive vice president, and Scott Price, vice president of manufacturing, will continue in their respective leadership roles at Atlas."

Kennedy Frierson added, “Atlas has a very strong sales force and excellent brand equity in the market place, which should maximize our opportunities for growth. This strong market position has been created by the superior design and styling of their product offerings.”

The company said the Saybrook tufting, coating, inspection and shipping operations of Atlas will continue normal operations. In addition, there will be no change to the administrative, product development and sales functions of the company.

However, over the next several weeks, Atlas’ dyeing operations will be consolidated into Dixie’s facility in Santa Ana and many Atlas employees will transfer to the expanded Santa Ana operations.

Atlas had sales of approximately $53 million in 2013, selling both broadloom and modular carpet tile. The company has been profitable every year of the company’s 44 year history.