JOHNSTON TEXTILES UTILIZES EXCLUSIVE MARQUESA® TECHNOLOGY FOR WELLINGTON ULTIMA LAUNCH

Press Contact:
Tracey Campbell (800-925-0668) (twcampbell@afyarns.com)
John Avant (919-676-4115) (john.avant@avant.com)

Chapel Hill, NC (October 25, 2005) – Johnston Textiles, Inc., has partnered with American Fibers and Yarns Company (AF&Y) to introduce a collection of bleach-cleanable fabrics for the contract market.  Named Wellington Ultima Performance Finish Fabrics, the collection features AF&Y’s Marquesa® Technology which produces highly engineered yarns for extreme performance fabrics.

Available now in a range of patterns and colors, all Wellington Ultima fabrics are colorfast to bleach, with a Class 5 rating as per AATCC Test Method 130 on all stains, including betadine, ketchup, urine and blood.  Wellington Ultima fabrics have a barrier finish that repels fluids.  They are inherently stain and bacteria resistant, and breathable for extra comfort.

“Our focus has always been on providing appealing customer solutions for the most complex textile needs,” said Thomas Cooper CEO,  “and Wellington Ultima Performance Finish Fabrics are an important extension of that commitment.  Well suited for any contract application, these fabrics are especially important in extended care and healthcare facilities, as well as restaurants.”

“Johnston Textiles believes in maintaining excellent relationships with its customers and works to help its customers be successful,” said AF&Y President and CEO Michael Apperson.  “The company is a good example of our cornerstone belief that American manufacturers can utilize technology to compete effectively in a global market.  Fabrics made with Marquesa Technology provide a distinctive competitive advantage over imports.  AF&Y spent years and millions of dollars to develop our Marquesa Technology and its proliferation by Johnston for the Wellington Ultima collection is another important milestone in our product development strategy.  I’m highly confident Marquesa Technology will enjoy the widespread success in the contract market that it is currently enjoying in residential furniture, bedding and apparel.”

About American Fibers and Yarns Company
American Fibers and Yarns Company (AF&Y) is the world’s leading supplier of solution dyed filament yarns.  With thousands of yarns in its product portfolio and the ability to engineer yarns to customer specifications, AF&Y is a dominant supplier to the residential and contract furnishings marketplace, and has a growing presence in the hospitality, apparel, automotive and industrial markets.  Headquartered in Chapel Hill, NC, AF&Y maintains a Technology Center that specializes in engineering filament yarn with innovative combinations not available from other suppliers.  The company also operates two U.S. production facilities totaling six hundred thousand square feet of manufacturing space.  For more information on AF&Y and its products, please visit www.afyarns.com or call 800-925-0668.