Kathy Ireland adds two Martin lines
By Tom Edmonds -- Furniture Today, March 31, 2003
Los Angeles — Kathy Ireland Worldwide has added Martin Furniture, a small office/home office and home entertainment specialist, to its stable of manufacturing partners.
As an exclusive supplier to the Kathy Ireland Home program, Martin will convert its entire line of home office, home theater and wall systems to the Kathy Ireland brand in time for the October High Point market. Previews will be on display during this week's show.
Ireland, chief executive officer and chief designer of Kathy Ireland Worldwide, said Martin will help round out the furniture lineup created by her recent alliance with Standard Furniture.
"Our home office was the family kitchen table until we partnered with Martin Furniture," Ireland said.
For Martin, which was started in 1980 by owner Gil Martin, the new partnership represents an opportunity to grow through the strength of a proven brand, said Duane Utt, vice president of sales and marketing.
"When Kathy first approached us, we were well aware of her success in the home arena through her partnerships with industry leaders," Utt said. "However, it was her mission of finding solutions for families, especially busy moms, that resonated and ultimately led to an alliance with our team."
An estimated 165 SKUs are expected to represent Kathy Ireland Home Office by Martin Furniture at the October market.
"Every mom is the CEO of her busy family," Ireland said. "We will be offering key features — such as extra-wide keyboard trays, special power management centers, pull-out task lighting and organization tools — that make daily projects easier for families."
In developing relationships with Martin, Standard and other suppliers in lighting, rugs and accessories, Ireland, a former super-model who has fashioned an image as a supermom, is striving to create a home brand that is a retail powerhouse.
"We're working to make our retailers the destination for busy moms," added Kathy. "As we continue finding strategic partners such as Martin Furniture, our retail partners have a broader range of options to put together a complete home experience that is everything mom needs to develop a wonderful environment for her family."
Martin had 2002 sales of more than $40 million, serving furniture stores, specialty stores, warehouse clubs and catalogers, The company has a 250,000-square-foot factory in San Diego and imports furniture from China and Taiwan.
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