Thomas Industries, a newly formed company sponsored by JD Ford Holdings Co., together with co-investors led by FR Private Equities and Jerry Thomas, CEO of the Mattel Group and Thomas Industries, has acquired the assets of Superior Yarn Technologies and Mattel Carpet & Rug.

The formation of Thomas Industries is expected to streamline the operations of Superior and Mattel, which have operated as separate companies with shared ownership. Thomas said that bringing the two companies together will "enable us to more effectively communicate to the market that we are a fully integrated supplier, from yarn production to finished carpet, and from design to delivery."

Thomas Industries will operate Superior, Mattel, and Mattel's Templeton Carpet Mills division as independent divisions. Thomas' management team will remain intact.

In addition, Steve Ladd has joined the company as senior vice president, sales and marketing. Ladd has more than 26 years' experience in carpet sales and marketing posts , most recently serving as vice president of sales for Shaw Hospitality.