TVF Celebrates 50 Years in Fabric

(PRESS RELEASE) CARMEL, IN — TVF, a leading textile supplier, is entering its 50th year in business. Co-founded and incorporated in Carmel, IN in 1974 by Dick Hanzel and Dick Leventhal as Top Value Fabrics, TVF has evolved over five decades from a few rolls of fabric on a garage folding table into a comprehensive fabric partner, a center of expertise with global connections, and a coast-to-coast logistical authority.

“In our 50-year journey, TVF’s rise has been nothing short of remarkable. We’re on a path of continued growth, excellence, and unbeatable service,” says TVF President Tad Calahan. “From humble beginnings, our dedicated team, customers, vendors, and partners have propelled us to being a leader within our industry. Looking ahead with our amazing team of employee owners, we are committed to pursuing our vision of helping our customers and our team reach their full potential.”

Throughout the year, TVF will be honoring its Golden Anniversary with celebrations, including an in-person gathering of all employees this summer, special recognition posts on social media and online, and themed events that pay tribute to employee and customers past and present.

“I’m incredibly excited to be celebrating TVF’s 50th anniversary along with its amazing team and valued customers,” Empowered Ventures President and CEO Chris Fredericks says. “TVF’s journey from privately-owned small business to an ESOP success story, and now to being the foundation for a growing employee-owned holding company, is nothing short of amazing! I’m grateful to TVF’s employee owners, and everyone who has worked for TVF in the past, for building and growing such a great business and workplace.”

The company’s website features an interactive timeline that highlights significant moments since its official founding on October 10, 1974. Some key dates include:

1986: Spurred by growth, the company headquarters was located to 401 W. Carmel Drive in Carmel, IN, where it remains today.

1987: West Coast operations launch and current Vice President of Business Development Robert Hinsch came aboard to develop a sales and distribution to expand TVF’s reach across the west coast.

1993: TVF established ts office and warehouse facility in Carson, California, where it remains today.

1996-1997: Offerings expand into apparel products.

2002: Vinyl offerings greatly expand with the addition of vinyl coated and vinyl laminated polyester.

2006: TVF adds a print media line of fabrics.

2010: TVF co-founder Dick Hanzel agrees to sell 100% of the business to a newly-formed employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) created by Chris Fredericks, who would be named TVF president.

2017: TVF acquires California-based Pacific Coast Fabrics, increasing its home décor and print media depth.

2020: Following an extensive research process, Top Value Fabrics is rebranded as TVF with the tagline “Fabric. Expertise. Delivered.”

2021: Empowered Ventures, TVF’s 100% employee-owned holding company is launched following TVF’s successful ESOP transition.

2022: Using expert insight, a comprehensively refreshed TVFinc.com is launched to deliver a more hands-on feel and showcase our full spectrum of products and industry knowledge.

2023: Tad Calahan is named president of TVF. He succeeds Chris Fredericks, who turned his full attention to leading Empowered Ventures.

About TVF: Established in 1974 as Top Value Fabrics, TVF has a longstanding history of textile success. TVF is a leading international supplier for a wide variety of fabric applications and industries, offering extensive stock programs consisting of Nylon, Vinyl, Polyester, and Natural Fiber products, in addition to custom styles. Since 2010 TVF has been 100% employee-owned, fostering a culture that supports the TVF vision of empowering our customers and employee owners to achieve their full potential.

About Empowered Ventures: Founded in 2020 by leading fabric supplier TVF, which transitioned to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) in 2010, Empowered Ventures is an employee-owned holding company based in Carmel, Ind. Empowered Ventures helps successful small businesses with ownership succession planning by providing a long-term home for companies and employees. Empowered Ventures is not a fund, has no outside investors and uses its own capital to fund acquisitions. All employees of companies owned by Empowered Ventures join its employee ownership program.