The Daily Citizen, Dalton, GA

October 9, 2009

Milliken & Co. buys Constantine

From Staff Reports

Milliken & Co. has acquired Calhoun-based floorcovering manufacturer Constantine LLC.

Constantine operates a yarn twisting and heat setting facility in Dalton. About 300 Constantine workers will join Milliken’s floorcovering division. Constantine designs, manufactures and markets broadloom and modular carpet tile, as well as resilient and hard surface flooring. It has three other manufacturing plants and a distribution center, all within the Calhoun area.

By acquiring Constantine, Milliken, based in Spartanburg, S.C., broadens its floorcovering portfolio of products to serve commercial specifiers in the architectural and design community, said Joe Salley, Milliken president and CEO.

“Constantine is a design leader in the premier commercial floor covering industry. This acquisition will immediately expand our market space while also building on Milliken’s commitment to innovation, technology, and sustainability,” Salley said. “We are excited to have Constantine join the Milliken family.”

Bob Weiner, founder and former chairman of Constantine, said the “transaction represents the strengthening of two organizations that together will offer unique and innovative solutions” to the industry.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.