Tampa Group Buys Clearwater Textile Maker Pellon

PCP Ventures LLC completed the acquisition of Pellon on Oct. 1, bringing the 75-year-old textile brand under new local ownership. The Tampa Bay investment group purchased the company through a bankruptcy process. The firm represents family offices with combined assets approaching $1 billion.

The company employs approximately 95 people at its 220,000-square-foot facility in Clearwater. Adam Schoenbaum and Ron Ciganek lead the venture. Schoenbaum, who owns a women’s dress company nearby, cited his familiarity with manufacturing and the strength of the Pellon name as primary drivers for the purchase.

Pellon produces interfacings, stabilizers, quilt batting, fiberfill, and foams. These materials are placed between layers of fabric to provide shape, support, and cushioning. Amy Berg, the company’s vice president of sales, described the batting as the “cushy part” of a quilt. She referred to these hidden materials as the “magic in the middle” that gives finished products structure.

Schoenbaum aims to expand the company’s reach beyond its current retail base. He described the sector as a $27 billion industry. The first priority is upgrading the Clearwater operation. “Big capital investments in machinery. That’s our phase one,” Schoenbaum said.

Changes are already underway in manufacturing. The company is improving its needle-punch production line and expanding drop-shipping capabilities. Technology upgrades and office renovations are also in progress. Berg, who has worked at the company for 15 years, said the changes are “extremely positive.” She noted that everyone is excited and the improvements are already noticeable.

Pellon’s history dates to 1950, when the trademark was developed in connection with Freudenberg, a German pioneer in nonwoven textiles. Early products offered garment makers an alternative to stiff canvases and haircloth. The brand became so common among home sewists that Pellon is often used as a generic term for interfacing. Products are sold at Walmart, Michaels, and Hobby Lobby, as well as through distributors supplying more than 5,000 stores worldwide.

The company is also looking to reach more customers in home décor. Berg said the firm is expanding its drapery and lining products. “We have the most depth and breadth of products in the market,” she said. In a prepared statement, Berg added that Pellon is “more than a brand, we are family,” noting that team members have been there for decades and share a real sense of pride in their work and relationships.