Emerson et Cie acquires Bentley Churchill

High-end upholstery maker based in North Carolina

Tom Russell -- Furniture Today, September 2, 2008

HIGH POINT - High-end case goods importer Emerson et Cie has announced its acquisition of Bentley Churchill, a privately held, high-end upholstery manufacturer in Taylorsville, N.C.

The purchase price and other details about the transaction were not available.

Founded in 2003, Bentley Churchill produces a line of customized upholstery that includes sofas, sectionals, chaises, chairs, ottomans, accent chairs and benches. Its line also includes customized upholstered beds.

Emerson et Cie also produces upholstery. Its line includes sofas, accent chairs, benches, ottomans and lounge chairs.

In a statement, Emerson et Cie President Mark Smith said the purchase "strengthens Bentley Churchill's position as a full-service, custom upholstery resource for its customers and opens the potential for continued growth there as well as at Emerson et Cie."

"Our focus has not been in Emerson et Cie's upholstery, and as a result, it's been our weakest link," Smith said. "Given our existing infrastructure, we didn't have the capability of developing our upholstery business further. With the purchase of Bentley Churchill, that barrier no longer exists. We will now have the ability to offer our shared customers a full selection of high quality, custom upholstered furniture, as well as our bread and butter occasional categories."

The statement noted that Emerson et Cie will continue to operate and invest in Bentley Churchill's Taylorsville upholstery plant and plans to retain the company's skilled craftsmen.

"Along with the physical assets of the company, we really are buying the talent of the Bentley Churchill employees," Smith said. "We believe that we have found the perfect upholstery partner. Bentley Churchill is a complement to Emerson et Cie in terms of craftsmanship and quality, as well as their price points. Their capabilities within the marketplace, especially in terms of customization, are unsurpassed."

New and existing items in the Bentley Churchill line will be on display at Emerson et Cie's new showroom in the South Court of 200 N. Hamilton during the fall High Point Market, which opens Oct. 20. A larger introduction will be on display at the April market.