AFA, GDITT Lead Delegation To DomotexThe American Floorcovering Alliance (AFA), Dalton, Ga., and
the Georgia Department of Industry, Trade and Tourism (GDITT) are set to lead a group of companies
to Hannover, Germany, for Domotex, to be held Jan. 17-20, 2004. Any Georgia-based company that
wishes to exhibit at Domotex is invited to participate at the Georgia Pavilion, hosted by AFA and
GDITT. The pavilion, to be located in Hall 5, Stand B32, will offer a community lounge, meeting
space and exhibit space.
November 2003

Gulistan GetsNew Investment, FinancingHampton Capital Partners LLC, Roanoke, Va., has made an
equity investment and will provide mezzanine financing to support ongoing operations at Gulistan
Carpet Inc., Aberdeen, N.C. In addition, Gulistan will receive from Fleet Financial Corp.,
Glastonbury, Conn., a new credit facility, which consists of a term loan, a revolver and a capital
expenditure line. This new investment and recapitalization guarantees the long-term continuity of
Gulistan as an independent company, said Charles D. Kennedy, president, Gulistan.According to
Kennedy, Gulistan will continue to use DuPont Stainmaster® and Wear Dated® fibers in its products.
The company is set to roll out several new Stainmaster carpet styles, as well as Tactesse®
products.
November 2003

BP Introduces PolyBac® Berber Primary BackingDalton, Ga.-based BP Carpet Backings has developed
PolyBac® Berber primary carpet backing, designed specifically for textured, low-stitch-rate loop-
and cut-pile berber carpet styles.BP works closely with our customers to develop products that add
value to the carpets they design, said John Dowdell, general manager, North American Carpet
Backings. PolyBac Berber emerged as a solution to a specific challenge. Our team created this
backing to enhance berbers unique qualities without additional costs.
November 2003

Meriturn BidsFor Johnston IndustriesColumbus, Ga.-based Johnston Industries Inc. has signed a
letter of intent from Meriturn Partners LLC, Raleigh, N.C., and San Francisco, to purchase a
substantial portion of Johnstons assets. Earlier this year, Johnston and its subsidiaries filed for
Chapter 11 protection under the US Bankruptcy Code.The bid covers Johnstons technical textiles,
decorative fabrics and all other operations except fiber products. The company is seeking separate
bids for that business.Meriturn intends to continue to operate and grow the company, according to
Marvin A. Davis, chief restructuring officer, Johnston Industries. All current management and
employees will be retained.
November 2003

US Plans Free Trade Agreements With Three Additional CountriesUS Trade Representative Robert B.
Zoellick has announced plans to negotiate yet another free trade agreement this one with Colombia,
Peru and Panama. This latest announcement is part of a major push by the United States to negotiate
free trade agreements, particularly in the Western Hemisphere, in view of the breakdown of World
Trade Organization trade liberalization talks. This year, free trade agreements have been reached
with Chile and Singapore, and negotiations are underway on a Central America Free Trade Area with
Nicaragua, Guatemala, Costa Rica, El Salvador and Honduras. In addition, the US is pursuing a Free
Trade Area of the Americas, incorporating South American countries; and one with Australia.Todays
announcement was hailed by the American Association of Importers of Textiles and Apparel (ITAA) as
three more steps in the right direction toward a single Free Trade Area of the Americas. ITAA
Executive Director Laura Jones noted that Colombia currently buys considerable raw cotton, yarn and
fabrics from the United States, and speculated that the three countries are good candidates to buy
more US inputs. She said both Colombia and Peru have accomplished textile and apparel industries
and are well located to serve the US market.A spokesman for the American Textile Manufacturers
Institute echoed the textile industrys standing position that free trade agreements must include a
yarn-forward rule of origin, no tariff preference levels that permit non-participating countries to
benefit from the special duty and tariff free treatments, and there must be strict Customs
enforcement of the pacts.By James A. Morrissey, Washington Correspondent
November 2003