Valdese Weavers Acquires Dicey Mills

January 7, 2015  by in Acquisition, Industry   

Valdese Weavers will begin integration of Dicey immediately and plans to complete an “orderly and deliberate transition” of the Dicey business into the Valdese facilities in Valdese, N.C., by the end of the year. 

The acquisition does not include the Dicey factory in Shelby, N.C.

“Along with the asset purchase, we have negotiated a transition services agreement for the right to operate in the Shelby facility as needed until the end of the year,” said Mike Shelton, president and CEO of Valdese Weavers. “This will help to ensure a seamless integration and high level of service to all Dicey customers during the transition. Further, Valdese Weavers intends to offer employment to as many as possible of the highly skilled artisans who currently work for Dicey Mills.”

Shelton said the Dicey line complements Valdese Weavers’ line.

“It will extend the breadth of our product diversity and market reach by utilizing different yarn systems and weave techniques that achieve the specific Dicey look,” he said. “And while Dicey’s fabrics are somewhat different in nature to our current mix of products, technically they are remarkably compatible and therefore will integrate nicely into our vertical manufacturing operations in Valdese.”

Dicey Mills was founded in 1956 by Paul M. Neisler Sr., and has been owned and operated by the Neisler family since then. The current management of the company and primary shareholders have been brothers David C. Neisler, W. Hayne Neisler and H. Parks Neisler. Parks Neisler has headed up sales and marketing functions at Dicey for many years, and will join Valdese Weavers to help lead the creation of the new Dicey Fabrics brand of Valdese Weavers, and the sales effort.

“Dicey is excited about becoming part of an outstanding company like Valdese Weavers,” Parks Neisler said. “Like us, they are a family business with deep roots in the textile industry and we look forward to growing the Dicey Fabrics brand with them in the years ahead.”

Shelton commented on his work alongside Henry Neisler on trade and regulatory issues with the American Textile Manufacturers Institute and the National Textile Association.

“Our intention is to apply all the necessary resources to the Dicey Fabrics brand to fully realize the potential that we believe exists for the fabrics that Dicey is well known for, and couple that with the reputation for industry leading quality and service that Valdese Weavers represents,” Shelton said. “Our hope is that we will properly honor the legacy of Dicey Mills, and the Neisler family, through our future development of their rich heritage.”