International company based in Lakeport finds loyal customers in N.H.

LACONIA — Madeira, a worldwide leader in producing fine embroidery thread, has had its American headquarters located in Lakeport for over a quarter of a century.

And during that time it has developed a strong customer base among local contract embroidery businesses which use its products.

"With us, it’s all Madeira, all the time. That’s all we’ve used in the 20 years we’ve been in business,’’ reports Rob Bolduc, of Piche’s Ski and Sport Shop’s print shop in Belmont.

"It’s top quality. Madeira makes the best polyester threads in the business. They’re very durable,’’ adds Bolduc.

One of the print shop’s specialties is athletic team uniforms and Bolduc points out that the uniforms, especially those worn by baseball and football teams over multiple seasons, "get beat on pretty badly, but the threads last.’’

He lives near Madeira’s Lakeport headquarters and says that he often stops by on the way to work or on his way home to pick up thread for new orders.

According to Bolduc, "It’s really convenient and they go out of their way to have what we need, especially for orders where we need a quick turnaround.’’

His company recently had only a three-day window to embroider 150 jackets for a golf tournament for NBC. He’s done work in the past for the "NBC Today Show," embroidering jackets which were worn on Meredith Viera’s last day on the show, as well as for the "NBC News" crew during the 2008 presidential debates.

Hajo Voeller, president/CEO of Madeira USA, and Colleen Hartigan, vice president of sales, stopped by Piche’s recently and were given a tour of its operations by Bolduc.

"I was very impressed" said Voeller, who explains that Madeira USA makes it a point to stay in touch with its customers in order to better serve their needs.

Another local embroidery company, New England Embroidery in Madison, has been in business for 37 years and is another fan of Madeira thread products.

"It’s the only thread we use. It runs well and we never have an issue with it. Its consistency is just wonderful,’’ explains Anne Larson, owner of New England Embroidery.

The company has two large 12-head computer-controlled embroidery machines, Larson continues, and she credits the quality of the thread for helping to produce trouble-free operations over the years.

And having a Madeira location in New Hampshire makes it very convenient for her business. "We’re just one day away from having the product we need,’’ says Larson, adding that she knows many embroidery businesses in the state who also use only Madeira thread.

Bob Callahan of NEST Embroidery at Bayview Industrial Park in Gilford also speaks highly of the international thread company that is right around the corner.

"Madeira is the best quality thread that we run. And having them in our backyard is such an advantage. They always have what you need if you run short on big orders,’’ advises Callahan.

He says that he has frequent visits from Madeira’s marketing and customer service staff, who get to see exactly how their thread is used and are able to apply what they have seen to provide even better service for their customers.

"It makes us proud to see so many things made with our thread everywhere we look, from local businesses, to national television, and local sports teams caps and uniforms," adds Voeller.

He points out that Madeira, which was founded in Freiburg, Germany, in 1919, has established a global network of subsidiaries and distribution centers. Madeira USA serves over 24,000 customers in the U.S. through its 12 Customer Service Centers, enabling it to ship via UPS Ground for next day delivery to 89-percent of its customers, and in two days to the rest.

With that kind of customer service and long-established record of quality products which are environmentally friendly, it’s no wonder that Madeira is an industry leader that has captured the lion’s share of the market. What might come as a surprise to some, is that this company is located right in our own backyard.

CAPTION: Rob Bolduc (left) of Piche's Ski and Sports Shop's printing division recently gave a tour of his business to Colleen Hartigan, vice president of sales for Madeira USA, and Hajo Voeller, president and CEO of Madeira USA. Hartigan holds a jacket embroidered with Madeira thread for the "NBC Today Show." Bolduc points out that the only thread his company uses is made by Madeira. (Roger Amsden photo)