Rug Manufacturer cmi Celebrates 30th Anniversary

Furniture World Magazine

cmi (Colonial Mills, Inc.), a leading manufacturer of a complete line of braided-texture area rugs and accessories, is celebrating its 30th year in business in 2008. cmi will mark the 30th Anniversary milestone with cake and champagne in its showrooms throughout the year along with the giveaway of a commemorative gift to customers and showroom visitors who bring in a cmi ad, mailer or newsetter. The company traces its 30-year history back to the fall of 1977 when Donald M. Scarlata, current President and CEO of cmi, and several other investors acquired the Pawtucket-based Colonial Braided Rug Company and set out to expand the business. Once the transition was complete in early 1978, one of Scarlata’s first decisions was to change the company name to Colonial Mills, Inc. In those early years, Colonial Mills’ sales were driven by chair pads and stair treads, along with a limited number of rugs, which were sold through “mom and pop” gift stores. Business expanded as Colonial Mills added higher profile retailers, including Yield House, Sturbridge Yankee Workshop and Able Rug. cmi has grown to become an industry leader, selling braided-texture rug collections with millions of design/color options and a variety of accessories under its own brand name in thousands of specialty retailers and through private label and/or customized programs with a number of major national retailers. For more information, visit www.colonialmills.com.