Our Story
Written by David, Our Owner & President, in 2016 to commemorate our 30th Anniversary
August 1, 1986, Larry and Janet Pearson purchased Quiltcraft Industries, Inc. With eight employees working four days a week in approximately 17,600 square feet, Quiltcraft specialized in custom residential bedding and drapery treatments. Quiltcraft established its reputation in Dallas as a premier designer workroom, and quickly began making plans for growth. Within its first ten years, Larry and Janet outgrew two buildings, purchased three companies, and advanced to become experts in four new industries. Janet focused on sales, marketing and design, while Larry managed operations and production. Hard work, attention to detail, and the confidence to always move forward, provided continued success in their second decade as well. With two more acquisitions, relocating to the Ledbetter facility and growing into three additional industry segments, Quiltcraft was now firmly established as a leader in bedding and window treatment fabrication nationwide. The past ten years have afforded Quiltcraft opportunities to explore global marketplace sourcing, to fulfill national brand programs and develop capabilities to service customer installation needs in over five countries.
Today serves as yet another mile marker in our company’s journey. For the past twelve years, I have had the opportunity to work alongside Larry and Janet—watching and learning how they lead and manage, all the while ensuring the continued growth and success of Quiltcraft. I took note of their never-ending desire to diversify after watching textile home goods move offshore in 1999, costing our company and our nation an entire industry. I watched them navigate the tumultuous waters of 2001 and 2002, after losing more than 70% of their backlog, overnight. I sat with Larry as we told Motel 6, Marriott, Holiday Inn and La Quinta that we could handle their business better than any other supplier in the country, and promptly leave their offices strategizing as to how we would manage the account just awarded. And I’ve observed Larry and Janet humbly coach, encourage and guide hundreds of employees throughout my life. I have studied, noted, watched and learned in preparation for this transition. For while the seats are not all that far apart, there is significant difference and distance between the “too comfortable” first officer seat, and “the buck stops with me” pilot seat. So today, 30 years later, the time has come for that transition.
Quiltcraft never had a single mission statement, but Larry and Janet always held to a few key principles that still drive decision making today. Serve customers better than anyone out there. Quiltcraft will always strive to do better than our competitors. We will work harder and smarter. We will hold on one second longer, showing more determination and grit. It’s in our DNA. Hire great people. Quiltcraft will never be a place for micro-management, or where those desiring it will succeed. We want to educate, encourage and equip team members for success, and set them free to accomplish it. We’ll always have a high bar of expectation. Always do what’s right. Someone once said, “Character is what you do when no one is watching.” Quiltcraft has made a point of hiring character, as well as demonstrating character in every relationship. We believe that there is nothing gained if the opportunity to do the right thing is lost. Quiltcraft is committed to honor our employees, customers, vendors and partners with the highest standard of integrity, creating long-term, mutually beneficial relationships of good will.
At this 30-year milestone, it’s time to celebrate. Celebrate the visionary leadership that has come before us. Celebrate the hard work and dedication of hundreds of employees that have come before us. Celebrate the customers, vendors, installers and partners that have worked alongside us. And, celebrate the tremendous effort each of us has made, to set Quiltcraft apart from the competition into its fourth decade! Happy 30th Anniversary, Quiltcraft! Here’s to the next decade of “above and beyond”!
From the very genesis of Quiltcraft’s existence the key element has always been family. In 1986, Larry and Janet did not set out to be one of the leading hospitality drapery manufacturers, they set out to simply care for their family and do business in an honest and honoring way.
Quiltcraft was the means to keep their young family in Dallas and provide for the life they intended to lead. Years later that blood still runs in our veins. A decision has yet to be made that deviates from that path and because of this we all truly reap the rewards. As that leadership and those ideals have been passed from Larry now to David, the torch continues to be carried resolutely and proudly.
The incredible part of working for Quiltcraft is that the value of family has truly been extended to the staff. It’s an element that we feel most during our Chat and Chew company events, or when trials come to the forefront. Nevertheless, the people here continue to build on the legacy that Larry and Janet began, and David continues to promote. The fact that we here at Quiltcraft are a family means when we come together and work hard we are capable of a whole lot more than we originally knew.
As Larry once described it, ‘There are a lot of good days. There’s been more good days than bad days, and it’s only work if you don’t like what you are doing.” Our story is worth celebrating and appreciating today. Quiltcraft is a company that cares about its employees and cares about family, and that is not something that is found everywhere. So each year, we take time to celebrate our unique culture and the privilege it is to work for a company which values ‘family’ so highly and has been in the business of doing so for over 35 years!
