Van de Wiele To Open New North American Headquarte
Charlotte, NC, Sept. 2--Belgium-based textile equipment supplier NV Michel Van de Wiele is consolidating its Carolinas operations into a $1.5 million, 28,774-square-foot building that will serve as the company's North American headquarters, according to the Charlotte Business Journal.
The building, set for completion in November, will contain 8,500 square feet of office and showroom space, in addition to distribution operations and light assembly, says Tom Hansen, president of the company's local operations.
The building will house Van de Wiele and affiliate operations that will move from Charlotte, Huntersville and Greenville, SC.
It will house about 32 people specializing in sales and distribution of carpet-weaving machines, sewing equipment and other products targeting the carpeting industry, among others.
The building will serve as a symbol to Van de Wiele customers that the company has faith in the Carolinas textile industry and hopes to continue serving a sector rocked by the demise of Pillowtex Corp. and other cutbacks, Hansen says.
"We will always be a textile supplier here and will always support that industry," he says.
The consolidation also will reduce costs and allow cross-training among Van de Wiele employees, Hansen adds.
Jeff Edge, vice president of industrial development at the Charlotte Chamber, takes heart in the Van de Wiele project, saying textile manufacturers and their suppliers will always find a home in the Carolinas.
"[This project] says there are some survivors out there," Edge says. "It's important not to forget the significance of that industry. People tend only to look at the negatives, but there are a lot of positives. That industry has not had a stake driven through its heart yet."
