RV supplier finds success in specialty bags

By Ed Ernstes (ernstes@wsbt.com)

Tools

Decorator Industries in Goshen

Decorator Industries in Goshen, which used to make drapes and bedspreads for RVs, has found success making specialty purses and tote bags instead. (WSBT photo)

By Beth Boehne

GOSHEN — An RV supplier in Goshen is proving a little creativity can go a long way.

We told you about Decorator Industries last month when the company called laid-off employees back to work after diversifying its product line. Instead of making drapes and bed spreads for RVs, it now makes purses and tote bags, and more jobs could be coming.

From the Old Bag Factory to the University Park Mall, you can find the line of specialty bags made by Decorator Industries in Goshen. But the bags and purses go pretty fast.

“We've just gone through them so quickly — we have been for the last while,” said Ruth Smucker at the Old Bag Factory. “They've just been moving; we can hardly keep them in stock. People are always asking, ‘When's your next shipment coming in?’”

When Decorator Industries began making the bags, they brought back about a half a dozen employees. With sales going way up, they now have about two dozen workers.

“We're producing quite a few bags a day and just trying to cover the orders that we've got coming in,” said Randy Ferrie of Decorator Industries. “It got a little crazy at first; but right now we're just riding a steady stream.”

The success of this product line is bringing with it new opportunities to build a different line of products at this same facility.

The company is now fielding offers to make a new line of items — including backpacks, nursery bags for mom, bags with various compartments for nurses, and a special wedding bag that newlyweds would take on the their honeymoon.

“There are a couple of companies that want us to do a private line for them,” Ferrie added, “so all kinds of sewing prospects out there.”

“We have an opportunity to do bigger and better things as well, maybe some back packs, diaper bags,” said Decorator Industries employee Kim Wert. “I mean this is just a never-ending thing. Anything we can sew, we will sew.”

The company says it recently sent some bags to Oprah Winfrey, but it hasn't heard back from her yet.

More Good Stuff

Advertisement

WSBT Weather

icon
Current Temp 35.0
°
More Weather
More On Demand

Stock Quotes

YouNews

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

Question of The Day

How do you monitor your child's access to computers and cell phones?

E-mail your comments. We'll pick some to read during WSBT News at 5.