Dalton—One of the industry’s stalwart family names is leaving the industry as Julian Saul, president of Shaw Industries, announced his retirement effective July 14. He will remain a consultant to the company.

In 1963, after graduating from Georgia Tech, Saul joined his family’s textile business, Queen Tufting. At the time, the company manufactured products such as chenille robes. But an allergic reaction to the cotton dust forced Saul to approach his father, Harry, about changing the business’ focus to producing carpet from synthetic yarns.

Knowing that one day the business would be passed to his son, the switch was made and in 1969, Queen became a carpet manufacturer and never looked back.

During the 1970s, ’80s and ’90s, Queen experienced dramatic growth, first internally and then through a series of acquisitions including Patcraft, Cumberland, Fanfare and Tuftex.

By 1995, Saul, who was now president and CEO following his father’s death a year earlier, had amassed the fourth largest carpet manufacturer with nearly 4,500 employees and over a million-and-a-half square feet of space. It was even acknowledged by Forbes magazine as the 277th largest privately-held company in America.

In 1998, Shaw Industries, which was the world’s largest carpet mill, purchased Queen in what was the biggest merger of two carpet manufacturers. From the deal, Saul became Shaw’s president. Shaw was subsequently bought by Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway in 2001.

In announcing his retirement, Saul, 66, said, “I have immensely enjoyed my career in the rug, carpet and flooring industry. I would like to thank all our employees, vendors and especially all the customers for all their support of our company.”

Though he is leaving the industry, Saul said he is “not going anywhere,” noting he will maintain a Dalton office and be available for any projects Shaw made need.

Upon his retirement Saul told the Dalton Daily Citizen he plans to devote more of his time to developing a 475-home subdivision in Adiarsville, Ga., in which he is part owner. Located at Barnsley Gardens, the resort and golf course is expected to begin residential development within the next year.

Robert Shaw, the company’s CEO, said, “Our industry has benefitted greatly through the years from all that the Saul family has contributed. Julian has been a tremendous part of our success here at Shaw since joining us. He is a true friend to the industry and to the greater community of Northwest Georgia.”