Ves-Levi to import rugs
By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, November 10, 2003
Secaucus, N.J. — Paul Vesely, Mikel Banilevi and David Banilevi have formed Ves-Levi Inc. to import popular-priced rugs.
Vesely was president of MER Corp., David Banilevi is vice president of Aminco, and Mikel Banilevi is secretary of Aminco. Mikel Banilevi also is the current president of the Oriental Rug Importers Assn. and Vesely is ORIA's vice president.
The Banilevi brothers will continue in their posts at Aminco, an importer of Oriental rugs. Vesely has resigned at MER.
The new partnership will focus on high-value rugs, primarily from China and India.
"We will aim at the heart of the rug market, focusing on retail price points in the$600 to $1,200 range in a 6 by 9 size," Vesely said. "The company will be flexible and fast on its feet, and will move aggressively into the growth areas as they develop."
Initially, Ves-Levi's lines will include tufted and hand-loomed items, "but we also will look at other constructions such as machine-made rugs and popularly priced hand-knotted products," he said.
The company will target such retail channels as full-line department stores; furniture, rug and floor covering specialty stores; high-end catalogs and some national chains.
"We are aiming at mainstream retailers, but we do not plan to go into big boxes or discount stores," said Vesely.
Ves-Levi will show at AmericasMart Atlanta, space 6A9, during the January International Rug Market.
