For more than four decades, leading textile manufacturer Carnegie and Swiss manufacturer Création Baumann have partnered to bring high-performance contract fabrics to the American market. The two companies have now solidified their affiliation, with Carnegie recently named as the exclusive distributor of all Création Baumann products in the United States.
“The expansion of the cooperation with Carnegie means a stronger emphasis on sales in the contract market, and it also means greater visibility for Création Baumann. We are convinced that for many customers and designers, the expansion of the collaboration will be received as very natural, because the two brands have always been a great match,” said Philippe Baumann, CEO of Création Baumann.
Indeed, the partnership has long thrived because of each company’s unwavering commitment to providing superior textiles. “In 1974, based just on a handshake, Carnegie became the exclusive distributor of the contract products in the Création Baumann line. At the time, both companies were family run, and they believed in solution-driven design. They were also concerned about health and safety, which we now call sustainability. These similar values made the partnership quite easy,” said Mary Holt, president of the upholstery division at Carnegie.
Much has certainly changed since the gentleman’s agreement between Carnegie founder Robert Goldman and Jörg Baumann, Création Baumann’s then-president. Today, Philippe Baumann, a fourth-generation member of the family, runs the namesake company, founded in 1886. In 2017, private equity firm Calera Capital acquired a majority stake in Carnegie. Carnegie’s newly-appointed CEO, Gordon Boggis, is set to take the reins during this pivotal moment. “I’m delighted to be coming on as CEO at a time when we have been able to officially fortify our years-long partnership, and I look forward to continuing to bring our clients the absolute best in quality, sustainability, and innovation.”
Even as the firms have weathered transitions in leadership, and experienced shifts on a global scale, from the pandemic to concerns about the environment, the bond between the organizations has endured. “Everything’s evolved, but our partnership still works. And this year, when Création Baumann decided that they wanted us to take on the total distribution of their products, there was still that strong agreement that we have the same core values. We still operate with the integrity that has been there since the beginning,” Holt noted.
With more than 6,000 offerings in the Création Baumann collection, specifiers are going to have more choices than ever before, including colors that are more fashion-forward, and unexpected for customers in the States. Holt noted that Création Baumann’s perspective as European producer complements Carnegie’s selections. “Création Baumann’s manufacturing arm makes them different from Carnegie, and that’s why we love to develop and design with them. We always edit and curate it for our market.”
Not only does Création Baumann provide fashionable palettes, they are also noted for fabrics that perform in any setting. “Textiles have an aesthetic, psychological effect on people, create privacy, influence the acoustic atmosphere of spaces, and manage natural light,” Baumann added.
As part of the alliance, Carnegie has introduced a museum division, featuring seven products and more than 400 color options. It’s a new sector for Carnegie, and one with unlimited potential as people resume their visits to cultural institutions to look at art post-pandemic. “We really do feel that this year everyone is going to be so excited to get back to museums, and there’s going to be lots of opportunity for us,” Holt explained.
Textiles are used to aid in the preservation of priceless masterpieces. Museum-rated fabrics must meet the most stringent criteria. Specifically, these textiles must pass the Oddy test. The procedure was created at the British Museum by conservation scientist William Andrew Oddy. This accelerated corrosion test is used to predict potential off-gassing from new materials to determine whether they are safe to use with collection items in an enclosed space like a display case.
“Paintings, sculptures, and historical works of art in museums must not only be presented in an attractive way, but also need protection against any damaging effects, and have to meet safety standards. Création Baumann develops functional and well-designed solutions for demanding applications in museums, thereby playing a key role as a reliable partner,” Baumann noted.
Clients can request the Oddy test, and checks for pH value, and color fastness. All of the materials are tested in Création Baumann’s own laboratory, and results can be accessed online. Xorel, Carnegie’s signature, sustainable fabric made of solution-dyed polyethylene passed the Oddy test, so that is another alternative available to curatorial staff.
Each company is also conscious of sustainability, and introducing products that last as long as possible. For Création Baumann in particular, their location influences their decisions. They take their role as stewards of the planet seriously. “As a textile manufacturer nestled at the heart of densely populated Switzerland, we were quick to recognize our special responsibility toward the environment. We are taking more measures to ensure the cyclability of textile waste and used products,” Baumann said.
In the interest of transparency, Création Baumann analyzed their sustainability strategy and compiled a report, released last year. In it, they detailed how they are utilizing resources more efficiently. Through the continuous optimization of production processes, for example, it is possible to reduce peak consumption of processed heat by 25%. It’s this proactivity that makes Création Baumann an industry leader—and a perfect ally for Carnegie. “They’re evaluating every step of the manufacturing process, and then looking at different ways to do things. It is more impactful than using recycled polyester yarn,” Holt said.
Carnegie and Création Baumann continue their synergistic partnership with optimism, looking forward to what another 47 years of collaboration may bring. “I do think that the time is totally right for this expansion, because design and color are much more global now. People are taking more chances, and they want to make a statement,” Holt added.