Décor-Rest: Eyeing further growth in U.S.
By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, January 6, 2002
WOODBRIDGE, Ontario — Décor-Rest, known as a design leader in leather and fabric upholstery, will observe its 30th anniversary this month at The Canadian Home Furnishings Market.
Angelo Marzilli, chairman and chief executive officer of Décor-Rest, emigrated from Italy at 15, took a job as an upholstery craftsman and climbed the ranks to management. Joined by his wife, Christina — who was skilled in accounting and marketing — Décor-Rest was born in 1972.
The business has since spilled over into the second generation, with children Natalie and Angelo Jr. serving as director of sales and production assistant, respectively.
The company, which originated in a 4,000-square-foot facility, relocated to a 200,000-square-foot showplace in this Toronto suburb two years ago and employs 250 workers.
Eyeing diversification, Décor-Rest added leather to its stationary and sleeper product mix eight years ago. "We were at the stage where we felt strongly about fabric but needed to go to the next level, either into leather or motion," said Natalie Marzilli. "We looked at both and decided leather was more advantageous to our needs."
The company relies on a trained staff of hand-cutters, but the senior Marzilli is exploring adopting new cutting technologies to improve overall efficiencies. A typical leather sofa retails for about $1,399.
Again seizing opportunity, Décor-Rest expanded into the United States five years ago. In 2001, the producer beefed up its U.S. sales force to broaden its U.S. presence.
About 10% of its overall business is drawn from U.S. chains and independents, in addition to its distribution to Latin America, Scandinavia, the Middle East and Asia as well as Canada.
"We have fun while sharing our passion for service to our dealers and, through them, to the ultimate consumer," said Christina Marzilli, vice president and chief operating officer.
Décor-Rest has received several of the Canadian home furnishings industry's prestigious Trillium Awards for its innovative designs.
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