Kindel merges with Taylor Co.
Larry Thomas -- Furniture Today, August 26, 2010
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Kindel Furniture, a producer of high-end residential case goods and one of the last remaining furniture manufacturers here, has merged with The Taylor Co., a furniture and wood components supplier.
The merger will combine Kindel's craftsmanship and designs with Taylor's automated manufacturing processes to strengthen the Kindel brand, according to officials of both companies.
"This is textbook example of how two companies with complementary business structures can merge to create a much stronger corporation," said James Fisher, the current CEO of Kindel, who will be the company's chairman once the merger is finalized.
"Kindel is providing the reputation earned over the past 109 years, experience and techniques of old-world craftsmanship, designs and licenses, and customer relationships," he added. "The Taylor Co. is contributing advanced techniques in woodworking and modern business methods that will make Kindel much more ‘custom capable,' which is the inescapable trend in fine furniture buying today."
Financial terms of the merger were not disclosed.
Over the next few months, Kindel will move its operations from its current multi-story 170,000-square-foot facility into Taylor's single-level 92,000-square foot facility in the Grand Rapids area.
John Van Zee, president and co-owner of Taylor, will become president and CEO of Kindel and a co-owner of the company after the merger is completed.
Fisher and his family have been the sole shareholders of Kindel. He also is executive vice president of Muncie, Ind.-based Fisher Properties of Indiana.
"The Taylor Co. methods will only enhance what people value in Kindel furniture," Van Zee said. "We will be using computerized machining methods on many components to ensure accuracy and precision while maintaining the Kindel heritage that includes hand carving and decorating, luxurious upholstered details and fine finishing."
Taylor Co. also owns Taylor Millwork, a producer of interior and exterior doors and cabinets, and Superior Furniture, a producer of high-end occasional and bedroom furniture.
Van Zee said both the Kindel and Superior lines will be shown in Kindel's High Point showroom at 242 N. Hamilton St. at the October market.
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