FSW Finds a New Home in Dalton, GA
Valuing the Community of Dalton, GA
When we first moved to Dalton in 2012, we were attracted by the carpet manufacturing culture surrounding the area. Tucked into the rolling hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, just off of I-75, the town of Dalton, GA welcomed us with their small-town charm.
We enjoy the sense of community of the area and have been proud to supply the surrounding manufacturers with colorants and chemicals. Moving into a facility in Dalton allowed us to grow our laboratory operations, with new textile, carpet, and rug specific lab equipment and technical chemists and sales staff to support these customers.
As our journey continued, it became clear we needed to expand our space and capabilities. The markets continue to change and grow with new innovation and regulation challenges. We needed more space, more people, and the flexibility to grow our production operations to better service our customers overall.
We needed our own facility to call home, a space we owned where we could modify, improve, and foster to meet the needs and goals of our manufacturing and distribution efforts.
Through our search, we met Lamar Sims. Now prior owner of Sims Warehouse, his father, Pete Sims started the business in 1945 as Sims Textile Company. The early business consisted of selling quilt patterns, sheeting, yarn, and single needle-tufting machines, as well as a mail order catalog for homemakers to create their own patterned bedspreads. This trend took off in the area, and the drive from Chattanooga, TN to Atlanta, GA started to be known as “Peacock Alley” for all the bedspreads hung outside homes that sold to tourists passing through. Named so for the most popular pattern including a peacock, since the extra yarn could be used up in the colorful feathers.
As the carpet industry bloomed in Dalton, Pete Sims realized there was a market for jute carpet backing in wider widths. The company operated to service this to the industry until ultimately converting into a warehousing facility, incorporating in 1972.
What the Location Provides for FSW
This rich history of the facility attracted us to the location. It seemed fitting that we’d acquire a business ingrained in the history of the Dalton area, from the very beginnings with chenille manufacturing, through to today in the heart of the flooring and carpet industries. We also felt confident that through the care of a family owned and operated business, we could continue similar traditions and customer care from the location.
We plan to continue the value-plus style warehousing services Sims Warehousing provided their clients. It has opened up opportunities to provide extended warehouse space in many of our other eight locations across North and Central America to improve logistic capabilities for our customers overall. Adding this service brings customers certified CDL operators, expanded regional deliveries, and experienced warehousing services for dyes, chemicals, and raw materials.
In addition to the new logistical services, we also are nearly tripling our facility space in Dalton. This location will now serve as our largest operations facility at 68,000 square feet. With the additional room, we’re able to service more customers’ products directly from Dalton, GA. We’ve acquired two auto-dispensing tanker systems, and have plans to expand our operations out of the facility. We’re also able to provide tote tank washing services for our use and that of customers as an additional service capability.
We’re excited about the possibility that comes with owning a location in Dalton, GA. The historic value of the location, the vitality of manufacturing in the area, and the space to customize for our growth will allow us to continue delivering value to our customers.
About the Author: Dale Clark
