There are many reasons for Quaker’s success. Larry Liebenow and his partners bought the company 1989 which was originally founded 1945 as Providence Pile. A fresh wind was soon blowing through the vast multistory manufacturing facilities in Fall River, Mass. The new management first analyzed the product range and then determined to specialize in the production of yarn and fabrics for the furniture and decorative business. Over time approx. 160 million US-Dollars have been invested in the years between 1990 and 2000 in modernizing production plants and install the most advanced technology. The number of employees working presently in the eight production locations in Fall River rose in this period from 1,100 to 2,600 associates. They achieved a turnover of around 300 million US-Dollars in the year 2000. This was an  increase of 330 % compared with 1990.

DORNIER rapier weaving machine plant at Quaker Fabric Corp.

Consequent export strategy

A new export strategy adopted in the early nineties was decisive for Quaker Fabric’s growth during a business cycle in which the turnover of competitors stagnated or showed contractions. This foresighted sales policy of exporting - normal practice for European and Asian companies - is still rare in the USA. American textile companies traditionally made comparatively weak appearances on the international markets. It was commonplace to withdraw from a foreign market if results were not convincing very quickly. A new management team supported Larry Liebenow, who had gained vast international experience by living in various foreign countries. Early on he emphasized for long-term continued relationships and connections with foreign companies. Today Quaker has distribution and demonstration centers in Mexico and Brazil. Sales offices are maintained in London and Dubai and sales agents are actively presenting the comprehensive, very diverse Quaker product collections in all important countries. Quaker is not only impressive because of its size and its progressive, export oriented strategy, but has also an excellent reputation for modern fabric designs. State of the art computer-controlled systems serve to develop patterns and prepare and monitor production. The own manufacturing capacity for chenille yarns, the largest in the world, plays a significant role in the success story of Quaker.

Quaker Fabric Corp. fabric collection

Quaker Fabric is regarded as a very reliable and flexible partner of the furniture industry. This has a lot to do with the above average motivation of the multinational labor force. The forefathers of a large number of Quaker’s employees emigrated from Portugal to the USA, so Portuguese has become the second "official" language at Quaker. All bulletin board messages, all safety posters and training manuals are displayed in two languages. All Dialog Panels, the user surface of the over 400 DORNIER rapier weaving machines installed, display their functions in two languages, English and Portuguese.

CEO Larry Liebenow also wants to find a common language with China. Unlike many American companies, he supports China’s entry into the World Trade Organization. He looks at this as an opportunity to avoid isolation and he promotes marketing efforts in China in an aggressive, proactive manner. A sales office has already been opened in Beijing and a task force on management level is developing a strategy for the future business penetration of the People’s Republic of China. 

Quaker design teams work continually on developing the product range further, either with new yarns, new production and / or finishing methods in order to maintain their strong market position. 

The decision to utilize DORNIER rapier weaving machines with 180 cm nominal width was already made as early as 1983 in order to keep the enormous diversity of the existing product range. Today 372 Jacquard machines and 36 dobby type machines, equipped for up to 12 filling colors are installed. The modular color cassette system allows changing rapidly to the particular number of filling yarn types or colors required. 

Quaker produces chenille yarn of all kinds on a large scale and the company in fact dominates in this sector of furniture materials. Reliable insertion of coarse fancy yarns alternating with fine binder threads for interlacing and support of the fabric construction is of major importance. 

DORNIER rapier weaving machines with their positively controlled filling transfer, the low filling tension and the open shed weaving feature are the perfect solution for the requirements of this demanding customer. 

DORNIER is proud that its machines are playing a significant role in the success of Quaker Fabric.