Britton buys Master inventory
By Heath E. Combs -- Furniture Today, August 11, 2008
EUPORA, Miss. — Former kitchen and bath cabinet maker Britton Inds. said it has purchased nearly all the inventory from Master Design's warehouses here and in Ontario, Calif.
Britton, which leased its warehouse space here to case goods and upholstery source Master Design, will continue to sell and distribute that company's furnishings from the Eupora facility, said Natalie Kirby, an accounts payable and human resources employee with Britton.
Britton had purchased and distributed inventory from Master Design previously, buying discontinued items, Kirby said.
She said Britton will continue to purchase, warehouse and distribute products here that are manufactured at Master Design facilities in China. Kirby said the inventory purchase was completed earlier this summer.
Master Design will focus on direct-container sales and still has some upholstery left in its California warehouse that it will sell, said Jennifer Yeh, director of product management for Master Design. Yeh said the company is not liquidating.
Last year, the company moved its headquarters from High Point, consolidating operations in Ontario, Calif. Master Design left its warehouse operations at an MGM Transport facility in Eden, N.C., last fall.
Taiwanese conglomerate Test-Rite International purchased Master Design in 2002 from financially troubled parent Master Home USA, a subsidiary of Master Home Furniture Co. Ltd. of Taiwan, which also owned former retailer Wickes.
