Carvalho Concentrates On Quality
and Innovation In Terry Towels

Fabrica de Tecidos do Carvalho is a family-owned company providing high quality terry towels to the international marketplace.

Founded in 1925, Carvalho originally provided cotton fabrics for the export market. In the '60s and '70s, the company manufactured blankets for the domestic Portuguese and European markets.

In 1982, Carvalho transformed its business, entering into the terry towel market. The company is currently in its third generation of family management and provides a full range of solid and fashion terry towels to the European and American markets.

Carvalho has been continually investing in its production facilities and equipment to improve its level of innovation, design, quality and service. The company has achieved ISO 9001/2000 certification and focuses on providing high quality towels at competitive prices.

"Our constant concern is identifying and satisfying the customer's needs, based on the development of new concepts and ideas, by using modern technical support and a well-provided design department," explains company representative Tiago Lopes. "Carvalho's goal is to be known worldwide as a leading and successful manufacturer of terry towels, following high quality standards and environmental regulations of the industry."

Fabrica de Tecidos do Carvalho Contact: Tiago Lopes, tiago.lopes@ftcarvalho.com Tel: +351-252-840-440 Fax: +351-252-841-335 Web: www.ftcarvalho.com

Castros & Marques Provides
Wide Variety of Home Textiles

Castros & Marques has been a pioneer in the global home textiles industry, offering a wide variety of window coverings, bed linens, kitchen textiles and children's furnishings.

Founded in 1977, Castros & Marques was one of the first companies in Portugal to use Raschel looms, and originally provided curtains and lace towels. In 1984, the company expanded its production to quilted products, including duvet covers, bedspreads, furniture covers and accessories.

The company also offers terry items, including hand and bath towels, bath sheets, beach towels, bathrobes and kitchen towels. In addition, Castros & Marques offers a wide assortment of kitchen textiles, table linens, aprons and accessories, as well as children's textiles and accessories.

Castros & Marques has a team of 80 people and is dedicated to "achieving objectives with dynamism, coordination and efficiency," states company spokesman Sergio Marques. The company currently exports its products to France, England, Sweden, Denmark and Germany, and is looking to expand into the U.S. market.

Castros & Marques Contact: Sergio Marques, sergio.marques@castrosemarques.pt Tel: +351-253-560-100 Fax: +351-253-560-109 Web: www.castrosemarques.pt

B. Sousa Dias Spotlights Devilla Brand
In Bed And Bath Linens

B. Sousa Dias is offering a broad variety of luxurious home textiles under its Devilla brand, including completely coordinated collections of bed and bath linens.

Established in 1966, the company has developed a reputation for top quality materials and excellent design. B. Sousa Dias currently manufactures it products for the domestic Portuguese market as well as Great Britain, Ireland and Poland.

"By combining our traditional quality standards with uncompromising care in manufacturing and design, Devilla is the best example of how the magic of textiles can transform a home," comments Gabriel Ribeiro, marketing and product development. "The Devilla collections are exclusive creations designed to turn your house into a dream home.

"Coordinated collections characterized by elegant design and luxurious textures are a comfortable mix of traditional and modern bedroom and bathroom linens," Ribeiro adds. "Soothing color combinations with delicately outlined details, equally suited for both classic and contemporary atmospheres, are an invitation to a relaxed and calm lifestyle."

B. Sousa Dias Contact: Gabriel Ribeiro, gabriel.ribeiro@devilla.pt Tel: +351-252-900-740 Fax: +351-252-900-749 Web: www.devilla.pt

Josim Highlights Premium Blankets,
Bedspreads and Flannels

Family-owned manufacturer Josim has developed a worldwide reputation for providing the finest woven blankets in a wide variety of constructions.

Founded in 1945, Josim is a completely integrated vertical manufacturer. The company spins its own cotton and handles all of its own weaving, dyeing and finishing.

Josim offers a complete collection of cotton blankets, including ring-spun Egyptian cotton and Supima cotton, and a range of finishes, including raised, sheared and its exclusive Suede finish. The company also manufactures a complete line of cotton/acrylic blankets with either raised, sheared or Suede finishes. In addition, Josim offers a broad assortment of bedspreads and flannel sheets.

The company has continued to expand its product range and assortment, and provides products to the European and American markets.

"Josim applies all the knowledge acquired during 60 years of tradition and is simultaneously up to date with the changing habits and tendencies of our society," notes company representative Marta Amorim. "Searching for innovation, Josim diversifies its products and currently presents new ranges, such as the luxury mixtures of cotton/silk, micro-Modal/cotton, cotton/linen and bamboo/cotton. Comfortable and pleasant to the touch, these new ranges reinforce Josim?s image on the international market."

Josim Contact: Marta Amorim, josim@mail.telepac.pt, marta.amorim@mail.telepac.pt Tel: +351-253-470-080 Fax: +351-253-534-230

Lumatex Emphasizes Excellence in Jacquard Bedding

Lumatex focuses on offering the finest quality jacquard fabrics and bed linens for the global market.

Founded in 1970, Lumatex manufactures intricate jacquard fabrics and bed coverings for the export market. The company offers a broad product line, ranging from classic, traditional looks to more modern, contemporary designs.

"Quality is always first place," declares company spokesman Antonio Leite. "We invest in the quality of our products, regarding the materials we use, taking care of the details, perfection and finishing."

According to Leite, the company is totally devoted to achieving total satisfaction of its entire client base and dedicated to continuous improvement and innovation in its internal processes. Lumatex follows "the constant evolution of fashion trends," he says, adding that the company constantly searches for ways to improve its customer service and product line.

Lumatex Contact: Antonio Leite, a.leite@lumatex.com Tel: +351-253-560-260 Fax: +351-253-560-269 Web: www.lumatex.com

Tapetes Beiriz Offers Exclusive
Handmade Area Rugs and Carpets

Fabrica de Tapetes Beiriz is well known for producing the finest quality handmade, hand-knotted and hand-tufted rugs for residences, palaces, hotels, public buildings and commercial installations.

Founded in 1988, Tapetes Beiriz specializes in the production of custom rugs that can be made in virtually any size, shape or color. The company's clients include architects, designers and interior decorators. Some of its well-known projects include the Palace of International Courthouse of Haia in Holland, and the Town Hall of the city of Lisbon.

"Our effort is oriented towards providing the customer with high quality personalized rugs," explains company representative Catia Ferreira. "We continue to innovate with regards to new textures and materials used."

The company's product line is primarily wool, although designers also integrate cotton, linen and leather into the rugs to create different texture effects. Tapetes Beiriz uses the traditional Beiriz production process, and also offers a wide selection of hand-tufted products.

Fabrica de Tapetes Beiriz Contact: Catia Ferreira, fabrica@tapetesbeiriz.pt Tel: +351-252-299-010 Fax: +351-252-299-018 Web: www.tapetesbeiriz.pt

Institute Promotes Embroidery And Handicrafts
From Madeira Region

The Institute of Wine, Embroidery and Handicrafts of Madeira (IBVAM) is an independent public agency dedicated to the promotion of products from the Madeira Autonomous Region of Portugal.

The primary purpose of the Institute is to preserve the standards and authenticity of traditional Madeira embroidery. "The control of authenticity done by the IBVAM to the final product definitely contributes to the maintenance of an elevated quality," states Rita Galvao, IBVAM representative.

The Madeira region has a reputation for producing traditional, high quality, handmade, embroidered home textiles. Producers offer a dazzling array of embroidery patterns, including classic styles as well as updated contemporary compositions.

Galvao explains that the combination of tradition and modernity keeps Madeira embroidery fresh and relevant in today's home textiles marketplace. She points out, "The result is the creation of practical and contemporary pieces, totally adjusted to the demands of a modern and refined lifestyle."

The Institute of Wine, Embroidery and Handicrafts of Madeira Contact: Rita Galvao, ritagalvao.sra@gov-madeira.pt Tel: +351-291-223-141 Fax: +351-291-224-791

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