Brazilians tap Williams
By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, March 18, 2007
High Point — Hooker Furniture veteran Doug Williams has joined Brazil Furniture Group of North Carolina as president of a new division called BFG Distributing.
The division will distribute product from Brazilian wood furniture manufacturers Rotta Furniture and Renar Furniture, stocking goods in a 45,000-square-foot warehouse here.
Previously, BFG products had been available only on a container-direct basis. The new facility will offer quick shipment to current BFG customers, said President Marcelo Frey, adding he hopes to attract new clients who didn't want to buy full containers.
Williams was at Hooker for 35 years. He was the manufacturer and importer's president from 2000 until his retirement in October, and was executive vice president of manufacturing before then. In addition to managing BFG Distributing, he will help develop new products and strategy.
"We're very happy to have Doug join us in this new division," said Frey. "His experience and knowledge will be invaluable."
Rotta and Renar, which both operate in the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina, make solid-wood furniture primarily of pine. The companies together have more than 14,000 acres of pine forest, and grow their own renewable lumber supply.
"We are excited to offer our customers the option of buying smaller quantities out of this new distribution center," said Ilton Rotta, president of Rotta Furniture. BFG offers primarily bedroom, dining room, wall systems and entertainment furniture in a range of styles.
BFG also is absorbing the operations of Minick Wood Products in High Point, which has been a distributor for BFG in North Carolina and South Carolina.
At the High Point Market, BFG will show in CenterPoint, space 216.
