Coja: Vlessing brothers are veterans
By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, January 6, 2002
CONCORD, Ontario — Coja Leather has been in the leather business nearly eight decades but has been doing business in the United States for only the last decade or so.
Founded 78 years ago, the brothers Vlessing — Robert and Eric, who serve as president and vice president, respectively — represent the third generation of the family-owned business.
The upholstery company was founded in Amsterdam by two brothers — the literal translation of "coja" in Dutch — the Vlessings' grandfather and great-uncle.
The Vlessings' father relocated the company to Canada in the late 1980s and began U.S. distribution 11 years ago. Today, about 50% of its business is generated by U.S. sales. The bulk of its U.S. business revolves around independents, with 60% custom orders and 40% high-volume loads.
"We're continuing to expand into the U.S. marketplace," said Mark Parris, vice president of sales and marketing for the United States. "We have been gaining more ground, especially with second-tier independent stores that have multiple locations."
The company employs 110 workers and operates in an 80,000-square-foot facility. All production is done onsite. In 2001, Coja made a major investment in equipment and now has the capability to produce its own foam cushions.
Coja's globally sourced hides are assembled on frames, with either eight-way hand-tied or drop-in spring construction.
-
Upholstery makers have hopes up high
Feb 6, 2012 -
People On The Move
May 4, 2011 -
Leather Italia reorganizes management team
Feb 6, 2012
Featured Company
-
FurnitureCore.com
FurnitureCore.com is a dynamic web application aimed at the furniture industry. Retailers and manufacturers alike will find our deep reserve of tools to be exactly what their furniture business needs.www.furniturecore.com... more
VIEW ALL GALLERIES
