Stork Craft Acquires Canwood Brand

June 12, 2008  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in Case Goods on June 2008 Stork Craft Manufacturing, Richmond, British Columbia, has acquired the brand and trademarks of Canwood Furniture, Penticton, British Columbia.

Canwood, which makes solid pine furniture in clear lacquer finishes, had announced earlier this year that it would close its manufacturing operations by mid-July due to the strong Canadian dollar’s effect on U.S. sales, raw material costs, global competition and labor shortages.

Canwood President Mel Kemp said Stork Craft’s CEO, Jim Moore, called the company to express interest in acquiring Canwood after it announced its plans.

“Given the global size, scope and significant financial strength of Stork Craft, there was indeed a viable business approach to continue to exploit the equity of the Canwood brand as well as grow it internationally,” said Kemp, who will continue in a sales and marketing role.

“We are very pleased to add Canwood Furniture to our corporate family,” Moore said. “It is always nice to see a program come together where each company provides important synergies towards a plan of preserving a 22-year-old trusted brand such as Canwood. Moreover, for Mel Kemp to remain involved is indeed a bonus.”

Moore added that retailers can expect wholesale prices for Canwood brand goods “noticably lower” than at present, and that a quick-ship inventory commitment will support delivery service.

Stork Craft, in business since 1946, is a major supplier of juvenile furniture. The company has its own 500,000-square-foot plant in Asia, and a manufacturing partner with 3.5 million square feet of plant capacity. Stork Craft products are sold throughout North America, Europe and Asia. North American distribution centers are in Seattle, New Jersey and Vancouver, British Columbia.