Bundles of fiber weighing 500 pounds each were stacked high in the newly renovated building on Hudson River Road in Halfmoon where Soft-Tex relocated in March.
Soft-Tex, a pillow, mattress and comforter manufacturer, held an open house of its new 120,000-square-foot factory; showroom and distribution center Tuesday, June 24.
The manufacturer, which has been in business for more than 20 years, formerly operated out of Harmony Mills in Cohoes.
Soft-Tex started looking for a new location for its manufacturing business about two years ago, when it received an eviction notice. The space the company formerly leased in Cohoes was renovated to make loft apartments.
Soft-Tex decided to move to Halfmoon because other suitable locations were too far from their workforce, including buildings in Amsterdam.
In moving, the company was able to maintain 80 percent of its 90-member workforce, most of which is from Cohoes according to Dan Nagle, director of customer relations for Soft-Tex.
The manufacturer’s new home offers all of its services on one level, Art Perry, vice president of the company said.
Perry owns Soft-Tex with his brother, Harold.
Perry said the move, although not planned, allowed the company to expand its docking area from three docks to 12.
The increased docking stations allow for Soft-Tex to more efficiently ship goods to homes. Home deliveries constitute a large portion of the manufacturer’s business, Nagle said.
Soft-Tex also sells its products to stores like Bed Bath and Beyond and under brands, including Therapedic and Royal Velvet.
With the addition of docking stations, the manufacturer is able to provide a docking station to both the United Postal Service and Fed Ex at the same time, cutting down on loading times.
We definitely modernized moving here, Nagle said.
Town Supervisor Mindy Wormuth, who attended the open house, said she was pleased with the manufacturer’s decision to locate in Halfmoon.
`We’re looking to have as many businesses as we can in town,` Wormuth said.
She said the business would be a great asset to the community and tax base, saying that the family-owned operation fits in with the character of the town.
Soft-Tex works with the town’s Character Counts program, which provides supplemental funds necessary to send kids to summer camp and builds holiday baskets to provide to families in need.
Perry would not say how much purchase and renovations to the building cost, although it was clear from reactions during the tour of the facility that it was very different from the original building. The manufacturer’s real estate agent said he hardly recognized the building he helped the Perry brothers purchase.
Soft-Tex has two outlet stores in the Capital District. It maintains its roots in Cohoes with one store at 103 Rensen St. The other store is located at 110 Main St., South Glens Falls.
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