November 2005

GRIMSLEY APPOINTED TO HEAD TIETEX INTERIORS DESIGN AND MERCHANDISING.

Company Announces Commitment To Take Program To The Next Level.

HIGH POINT, NC –– In a strategic move to take its fabric program to another level, Tietex Interiors (TI) has announced the appointment of one of the upholstery industry's most prominent fabric designers and merchandisers.

Effective November 7, Kim Grimsley will join the Interiors Division of Tietex International as vice president of Design & Merchandising, according to Mike Durham, division president.

Durham said Grimsley will shape and execute a program aimed at elevating the company's total fabric offering. "As simply as I can say it, we're thrilled to bring Kim to the Tietex team. This is all about her talent. This is all about giving the ball to someone who has earned a stellar reputation for leading-edge design and merchandising, but even more, someone who understands the business side of our business."

 A 14-year industry veteran, Grimsley, held key design posts with Burlington, Doblin and, most recently, Craftex. In 2000, she led a team to create the Craftex satellite design studio in High Point that launched the company into the furniture segment.

"What I see at Tietex are global possibilities. I see a management group that's pumped to make things happen. I'm excited by their vision, commitment and enthusiasm. They see upholstery as a primary growth area and they're willing to make changes very quickly," Grimsley said.

In the past few years, Durham noted, Interiors has earned high marks among its customers, primarily in areas of service and delivery. He said that while the division has developed proprietary fabrics and expanded its total offering, his customers have been more apt to recognize a number of important back office improvements.         
                                                                                                                       
"We've actually done a good job and made a lot of gains over the past few years; but frankly, we're not at all satisfied. We've known for some time that we had to change if we expected to position ourselves at the top of the fabric world.  Now, with Kim Grimsley, we've taken a substantial step that was necessary to take our business to that next level," Durham said.

He added, "We looked far and wide to fill this key post. There were any number of people qualified to take over our design department, but Kim's capabilities go much deeper. Not only is she an avid team builder and proven designer and merchandiser, but she also has a savvy business sense that we know our customers will appreciate. Then, when we factor in her upbeat spirit and passion for this business, we know we've got someone who's a mover and shaker in this business.

Grimsley, who earned her textile degree with a concentration in design from NC State University in 1991, expects to make an immediate impact on the Tietex fabric program, Durham said.

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