High-tech textile weaves success story

30 Mar '06

2 min read

Where global competition has been responsible for Carolinas textile and furniture industry job losses, Lake Norman Company is reported to have turned in better performances.

Slade Inc has been able to bag orders due to its initiative to venture into world markets.

Presently around 60 percent of its business comes from 43 countries, including Italy and China.

The company makes material that seals fluids and gases at temperatures as high as 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit and pressures as high as 5,000 PSI.

Slade has expanded overseas because it's easier to find business there, with help from the U.S. Commerce Department.

Greg Raty, company's Vice President said that company needs to spread its business to Asia as well as Europe.

Slade makes yarn in a top-secret room employing eight patented processes from 13 countries, using raw materials such as graphite, carbon and stainless steel.

The yarns are combined into a single strand, then braided either into metallic ropes that seal pumps and valves or sewn into material that seals pipe flanges.

Slade sells its products through distributors identified by overseas branches of the U.S. commerce department and U.S. embassies.

Those offices also serve as cultural guides to each country and help the company navigate their laws.

Slade Inc plans to hire company representatives overseas to monitor growth from Statesville base.

Raty plans to expand into Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Greece and also South America.

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