SYOSSET, N.Y.-Stanton Carpet Corp. has acquired Antrim Carpets USA Ltd., an importer and wholesaler of hand-loomed carpets and custom rugs from India for the residential and commercial markets.

Antrim will continue to be led by principals Dan McGovern and Fran O'Neill, and will maintain its name and individual identity, along with its own booth space at Surfaces 2008, where Stanton will also exhibit. Antrim will, however, merge its distribution and customer service center in Bristol, Pa., into Stanton's distribution center in Calhoun, Ga. In a joint statement, the companies said they would continue to work with Antrim's top agents.

McGovern said he and O'Neill expect Antrim will be able to further its standing in the marketplace for hand-loomed wool carpets with Stanton behind them, providing the back-end resources needed for that growth. "Dan can now truly focus on expanding our collections in handcrafted carpets, while I can accelerate Antrim sales and marketing for future growth," O'Neill said.

Jonathan Cohen, executive vice president of Stanton, said the acquisition was a good one for his company as it is "gaining two dedicated and knowledgeable veterans in soft flooring with an excellent niche not previously offered by Stanton."

Antrim was founded by McGovern and O'Neill in 1997. The company first offered Axminster carpets and later expanded its product roster with the addition of other woven and tufted broadloom products from Europe.