s otli ht
Kids make a mess on your
new couch? Just wipe away
the extras with a dry towel
and then spot clean with a
soap-and-water solution.
Bloomfield Hills couple takes Crypton
from institutional into homes.
I
Lynne Konstantin
Randy and Craig Rubin launched
Crypton fabrics in 1993, from a one-room
office in the basement of their home. Just a
eing an inventor is in his DNA:'
year later, Crypton was specified as the only
says Randy Rubin of her hus-
textile that could be used by McDonald's
band, Craig, whose grandfather
globally. Soon, the fabrics were launched
invented versions of the army cot, the fold- in education and healthcare and long-term
ing chair and movie theater seats. "He's living facilities, hotels and more. "My goal
always coming up with ideas to improve on was for Crypton to be a household name
a product:' Randy says. "I wanted to be Kleenex:'
In the contract textile business, Craig
And in the commercial industry, it is.
represented lines of beautifully made and
The fabric's advanced technology allows for
designed fabrics that would then be vinyl-
permanent stain, moisture, mildew, bacte-
ized for durability and sold to restaurants,
ria and odor-resistant protection. Crypton
hospitals, hotels and nursing homes. "The
works closely with American mills to create
vinyl would make them very cumbersome,
high-performance fabrics with a patented
and the laminate would peel and crack," says integrated — not coated — moisture bar-
Randy. "It wasn't the fabrics; it was the vinyl:' rier, meaning it is spill-proof, stain-proof
Browsing the aisles of a drugstore, Craig
and surprise-proof. And who, besides hotels
had a moment of inspiration. Passing a row and hospitals, wants that ease, combined
of disposable diapers, he knew he had his
with luscious colors and chic designs?
answer. "They are breathable, they repel
Families. With children. And dogs. And
moisture — it's not just a coating, it's a seal
parents who want to live their lives with-
within the framework:' says Randy, who
out worrying about their furniture getting
managed marketing programs for high-pro- stained.
file corporations, including JC Penney and
So Crypton, based in Bloomfield Hills,
Kmart. "Those diapers were the seed of an
has created Crypton Home, and partnered
with Gorman's Home Furnishing and
idea that became the driving force behind
our whole business:'
Interior Design, with five design cen-
The couple began researching existing
ters across the state and a showroom in
fabrics and patents, and discovered that
Southfield, to make a grand entrance into
there were patents for waterproof fabric, for the residential arena.
"This isn't an aftermarket spray-on solu-
stain-resistant fabric, for polyurethane and
anti-microbial treatments. But the features
tion," says Bernie Moray, CEO of Gorman's.
had never been bundled together. "Craig
"Their technology allows these lifestyle
said, 'No way, you're a crazy lady:" says
properties to be woven directly into the fab-
Randy. "But today, 20 years later, we have
ric. I was impressed:'
Randy says, "Bernie has mentored me for
19 global patents:'
Contributing Writer
B
Craig and Randy Rubin, co-chairmen of
Crypton fabrics, founded the company in
the basement of their home in 1993.
the last five years to prepare for this. He has
a lot of influence with national furniture
manufacturers, so he is able to offer a lot of
freedom for our enterprise. He has helped
me determine which fabrics furniture
manufacturers would buy and to determine
customer trends. And then he said, let me
be your beta test:"
Launched in November, Crypton Home
has its own space inside Gorman's show-
room, where clients can watch the magic of
Crypton's innovation in action.
"We let shoppers write on the fabrics
with crayon, pour coffee on it — do what-
ever they think might be dangerous to the
fabric, then watch us spot-clean it away:'
Randy says. "And the response is always,
`Why would I buy anything else?' It doesn't
cost that much more than other fabrics and
provides all of the flexibility of high-end
designs:'
Offering 45 different fabrics that can
be used with any piece of furniture at
Gorman's, Crypton also offers infinite more
options that can be purchased at any uphol-
stery shop to custom-cover any piece.
In addition to Crypton's growth into
the residential market, the company has
recently broadened even further. In January,
Crypton became the Crypton Companies
and acquired Nano-Tex, a textile technol-
ogy company whose performance finishes
enhance brands including the Gap, Target,
Nordstrom, Lands' End and more.
"We were starting to get calls from people
in the apparel world and football uniforms:'
says Randy. "We realized this is much big-
ger than only upholstery, but we wanted to
continue focusing on what we were doing
well. Nano-Tex was for sale, so this way we
are still based in Michigan and only work
with American mills, but now we have
offices in Hong Kong, India, China and
Japan. We are growing our own business,
while learning theirs at the same time. It
strengthens both of us:'
For information about Crypton Home,
visit cryptonfabrics.com , or Gorman's
Home Furnishings and Interior Design's
showroom in Southfield (248-353-9880;
gormans.com). ❑
Award-winning Comfy
Spots let kids get cozy
while resisting spilled
milk and sticky
fingers. Crypton
also offers a line
of adorable Pet
Beds, including
a collection
designed by
photographer
William Wegman.
February 13 • 2014
53