Otto International plans to market Bombay furniture in the United States

Will offer updated British Colonial looks to select retail channels

Jay McIntosh -- Furniture Today, December 4, 2008

NEW YORK — Bombay Brands LLC, the company formed earlier this year to keep former retailer The Bombay Co.'s designs alive, said Wednesday it has signed a multi-year licensing agreement with Otto International to roll out products in the United States.

Otto, a global trading company, said it plans to make Bombay Co. products available to "select retail channels" next year in categories including furniture and home accents.

"Partnering with Otto International illustrates Bombay's ongoing commitment to engage world- class marketers that have expertise to execute our vision of innovation and growth," said John Collins, president of Bombay Brands.

Bombay Brands was formed as a joint venture of Hilco Consumer Capital and Gordon Bros. after the Chapter 11 bankruptcy of The Bombay Co. and the subsequent closing of the chain's U.S. stores and sale of its Canadian units.

A statement from the company said the updated Bombay brand "stands for classic taste with an exotic soul, British Colonial style updated for modern living."

Otto International is a trading organization that has 23 offices and more than 40 years of experience in sourcing consumer products in a variety of categories, from apparel to home furnishings. It also offers trade-related services such as logistics, quality assurance and financial services.

Officials did not say when in 2009 the Bombay brand might hit retail floors, nor did they disclose how many years the licensing agreement would run.