JOAN FABRICS LAUNCHES VIBRANT SP EXTREME PERFORMANCE FABRIC

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

Chapel Hill, NC (October 4, 2005) – Joan Fabrics of Tyngsboro, MA has partnered with American Fibers and Yarns Company (AF&Y) to develop a collection of ultra performance fabrics for interior and casual residential furniture.

Called Vibrant SP, Joan’s newest collection features AF&Y’s Innova® fiber, the highly advanced synthetic fiber that has a natural cotton-like hand and luster.  Joan and AF&Y worked closely to engineer a complete line of fabrics that feature “extreme performance” characteristics.  The Vibrant SP collection is stain and mildew resistant and fade and UV resistant to 2000 hours.

The initial Vibrant SP launch includes 22 patterns ranging from soft textures to fresh and innovative designs. Vibrant SP features an extensive and inviting color palette, with price points ranging from $5 to $10 per yard. The collection was introduced in styling vignettes that coordinate with the Foundations group of plains and coordinates.

“We are pleased to say that Vibrant SP will be featured at the International Home Furnishings Market by several leading manufacturers, including Bassett Furniture Industries, Bauhaus, Klaussner Furniture Industries, Max Home, Hillcraft Furniture and others” said Suzanne Claus, Joan’s Vice President of Advanced Design and Development.  “We will launch a second release this fall that promises to complement our first line with some amazing textures and wonderful designs for a broad spectrum of home furnishings applications. This will be a timely collection with hip and casual styling along with care free serviceability that today’s consumers truly appreciate.”

AF&Y President and CEO Michael Apperson said. “The release of Vibrant SP is further validation of our premise that technology will allow American companies to compete successfully in a global market.  Joan has created incredible designs and our technology has provided high performance yarns with a great hand.  The combination is unbeatable:  fabrics that are fashionable with inherent easy-care properties.”

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.