Dixie Group posts higher quarterly sales, net income.

Byline: Bob Gary Jr.

Apr. 29--The Dixie Group posted higher quarterly sales and net income than in the first three months of last year, company officials said Thursday.

The Chattanooga-based carpet maker had sales of $72 million, up 12 percent compared to $64.4 million for the same time last year. Dan Frierson, the company's chairman and CEO, said Dixie's first-quarter carpet sales outpaced those of the industry for the second consecutive year.

"(Carpet) sales were up 18 percent, while the industry was up marginally," he said. "A year ago, our (first-quarter) sales were up 23 percent, while the industry was up 10 percent."

The company's …