TM(Advertisement)
Tube City Community Media Inc. is seeking freelance writers to help cover city council, news and feature stories in McKeesport, Duquesne, White Oak and the neighboring communities. High school and college students seeking work experience are encouraged to apply; we are willing to work with students who need credit toward class assignments. Please send cover letter, resume, two writing samples and the name of a reference (an employer, supervisor, teacher, etc. -- not a relative) to tubecitytiger@gmail.com.
Ads start at $1 per day, minimum seven days.
Duquesne Textile Firm Honored in NYC
Bedding maker plans expansion, hiring as growth continues
By Staff Reports
The Tube City Almanac
September 26, 2024
Posted in: Duquesne News
Jennifer Marks, editor-in-chief of Home & Textiles Today, is shown here with American Textile’s Lance Ruttenberg, executive vice president, and Blake Ruttenberg, chief executive officer, at a Sept. 18 award ceremony in New York City. (Submitted photo)
A Duquesne-based manufacturing company with facilities in McKeesport has received the 2024 Home Excellence Leadership Award from the Home Fashions Product Association.
American Textile Company received the honor Sept. 18 in New York City. Lance Ruttenberg, American Textile president and chief executive officer, and Blake Ruttenberg, executive vice president, accepted on behalf of the company’s more than 1,000 employees.
The award comes as the company announced plans for significant investments in infrastructure and personnel to meet what it called rising demand for its products.
Founded in 1925 in Pittsburgh, American Textile makes pillows, mattress covers and other products sold in more than 40,000 stores, including Walmart, Bed Bath & Beyond, Target and Macy's, according to published reports, as well as through Amazon.com and Overstock.com.
The privately held company also licenses the Sealy and Tempur-Pedic brand names for certain products.
The Home Fashion Products Association is a trade association for companies that manufacture, market or supply window, bedding, bath, table linens, kitchen textiles, floor and wall coverings and related products.
American Textile was honored for its introduction of AllerEase-brand allergen barrier fabrics and for becoming one the largest manufacturers of polyester filled bed pillows in the United States. It also makes and markets Tranquility-brand weighted blankets.
‘We are deeply grateful to the HFPA for recognizing the contributions of our associates around the world,” Blake Ruttenberg said in a prepared statement. “Their commitment to the success of our customers and dedication to delivering innovation that addresses real consumer needs is what makes our success possible.”
In addition to facilities in McKeesport and Duquesne, American Textile also operates facilities in Utah, Texas and Georgia, as well as in several foreign countries. About 250 of those employees work in Duquesne, at the industrial park located on the site of the former U.S. Steel Duquesne Works.
“In 2025, we will celebrate 100 years in business, yet it feels each day like we are just getting started,” CEO Lance Ruttenberg said in a release. “We are making record capital investments this year and next that will continue driving gains in efficiency, quality and service levels to our customers.”
A spokesman said the company is adding significant capacity to handle increasing demand, and expects to hire additional employees, including operations, merchandising and e-commerce staff.
American Textile this month announced significant investments in their manufacturing infrastructure, including robotics and AI-enabled systems that are designed to speed production and improve product quality, the spokesman said.
Originally published September 26, 2024.
In other news:
"Regional Stars Will S…" || "UFO Expert to Speak a…"