Johan Moulin, president of Flemish Master Weavers in Sanford, stands near one of the company's looms. He said the company is the only U.S. rug manufacturer that lacks its own yarn-making operation.

Flemish Master Weavers in Sanford plans a major expansion of its 210,000-square-foot manufacturing facility if it can get free trade status to import yarn without paying tariffs.

Company President Johan Moulin looks over spools on creels at his plant in Sanford. He says that if the company's free trade status is denied, competitive pressures likely will force it to phase out domestic manufacturing.

Jody McCoy-Robinson, left, and Abigail Kellogg finish edges on a rug at Flemish Master Weavers in Sanford on Aug. 23. The company employs about 130 people in Maine.

Finished rugs hang at Flemish Master Weavers in Sanford. The company produces about 2.5 million square meters of rug each year.

Weaver Malcolm Clarragh works on a loom at Flemish Master Weavers in Sanford. The company is one of only four large rug manufacturers remaining in the United States.