CULP INC

Our operations are classified into two business segments: mattress fabrics and upholstery fabrics. The following table sets forth certain information for each of our segments.

Additional financial information about our operating segments can be found in Note 17 of the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this report.

Mattress Fabrics. The mattress fabrics segment, also known as Culp Home Fashions, manufactures and markets mattress fabrics and sewn mattress covers to bedding manufacturers. These products include woven jacquard fabrics, knitted fabrics, and some converted fabrics. Culp Home Fashions has fabric manufacturing facilities located in Stokesdale, North Carolina, and St. Jerome, Quebec, Canada. As part of the Fiscal 2025 restructuring, Culp is relocating some of its knitting and finishing operations from its Quebec, Canada facility to Stokesdale, North Carolina, and transitioning its woven jacquard fabric operations to a strategic sourcing model. See “—Manufacturing and Sourcing—Mattress Fabrics Segment,” below, for information on our mattress fabrics manufacturing.

During fiscal 2023, we completed a restructuring and rationalization of our U.S.-based cut and sewn cover platform, moving our research and development ("R&D") and prototyping capabilities from our location in High Point, North Carolina, to our owned facility in Stokesdale, North Carolina. The result of this move was the discontinuation of our higher-cost on shore production capabilities, with the closure of two leased facilities in High Point during the third quarter of fiscal 2023. This platform adjustment has allowed us to generate cost savings by utilizing our lower-cost mattress cover production and sourcing capabilities in Haiti and Asia. Also, as part of the Fiscal 2025 restructuring, we are consolidating our Haiti sewn mattress cover operation into one building and reducing operating expenses at that location.

During the past few years, we completed several multi-year capital projects for the mattress fabrics business, including consolidating certain operations, expanding capacity, improving efficiency and customer service, and maintaining our flexible approach to fabric sourcing. In fiscal 2019, we expanded our design capabilities with the launch of a new software and a library system for cataloging our products to drive marketing and enhance innovation. In fiscal 2020, we further enhanced our design and innovation platform by establishing a dedicated innovation team to develop and offer the latest technologies and forward-looking products, expanding our creative team to complement our innovation strategy, and releasing a new digital library, design simulations, and 3D image rendering capabilities to showcase our designs and marketing tools. In fiscal 2021, we invested in additional knit machines and other equipment to expand fabric capacity in North America, and we also enhanced our digital project management platform, which allows us to work with customers from concept ideation and 3D mapping to product life cycle management and final merchandising. In fiscal 2022, we expanded our leading-edge technology by investing in robust hot melt lamination finishing equipment. In fiscal 2024, we invested in knitting software to monitor machine efficiency and output, and we invested in a chemical dosing system designed to enhance our finishing capabilities and provide immediate cost saving benefits.

We believe the success of our mattress fabrics business over the longer term is due largely to a business strategy that has included a focus on creative design and product innovation; a strong global manufacturing and sourcing platform; solid long-term customer and vendor relationships; and reliable service. Our business model has allowed us to provide bedding manufacturers with innovative products developed from consumer-based research and trend analysis, and we have been able to meet continually changing demand trends with the support of our flexible global platform.

Upholstery Fabrics. The upholstery fabrics segment markets fabrics for residential, commercial, and hospitality furniture, described below. This segment also includes window treatment products and installation services through our Read Window Products business, including roller shades, drapery, hardware, and top-of-mattress soft goods, for customers in the hospitality and commercial industries.

During fiscal 2024, the upholstery fabrics segment operated four facilities in Shanghai, China, including one manufacturing facility. From these locations, we market a variety of upholstery fabrics and cut and sewn kits sourced from third-party producers, mostly in China and Vietnam. We utilize these facilities for design, prototyping, finishing, warehousing, quality control, and inspection operations related to these products. As part of the Fiscal 2025 restructuring, we are rationalizing our internal upholstery fabrics finishing operation in China to align with current demand and further leverage strategic supply relationships. See “—Manufacturing and Sourcing—Upholstery Fabrics Segment,” below, for information on our upholstery fabrics manufacturing.

We continue to expand our marketing efforts to sell our upholstery fabrics products in countries other than the U.S., including the Chinese local market. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024, we also established an administrative office located in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, for the purpose of enhancing our sourcing and to further diversify our supply chain in Asia.

Additionally, we market a variety of window treatments, using mostly customer-supplied fabrics and materials, fabricated at our Read Window Products facility in Knoxville, Tennessee, as well as by third-party suppliers.

Our upholstery fabrics business has moved from one that relied on a large fixed capital base that was difficult to adjust to a more flexible and scalable marketer of upholstery fabrics that meets changing levels of customer demand and tastes. At the same time, we have maintained control or oversight of the most important “value added” aspects of our business, such as design, finishing, quality control, and logistics. This strategic approach has allowed us to limit our investment of capital in fixed assets and control the costs of our products, while continuing to leverage our design and finishing expertise, industry knowledge, and important relationships.

We believe the success of our upholstery fabrics segment over the longer term is due largely to a business strategy that has included: innovation in a low-cost environment, speed-to-market execution, consistent quality, reliable service and lead times, and increased recognition of and reliance on the Culp brand. Our progress has been achieved through a unique business model that has enabled the upholstery fabrics segment to execute a strategy that we believe is clearly differentiated from our competitors. In this way, we have maintained our ability to provide furniture manufacturers with products from nearly every category of fabric for upholstered furniture and meet continually changing demand levels and consumer preferences.