With its acquisition of slip-cover manufacturer Sure Fit, Focus Products Group has extended its offerings to include both hard and soft home goods.
Focus Products completed the Sure Fit purchase late last year. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The completed acquisition has brought Sure Fit within Focus Products’ corporate family of brands in the bakeware, bathroom-accessories, storage-systems and small-electrics categories. Focus Products’ brands include AMCO Houseworks, Swing-A-Way, Back to Basics, West Bend, Chicago Metallic and Hookless.
The company’s customer base includes the hospitality, food-service and retail markets. This deal enhances Focus Products’ customer base in the retail sector. “The addition of the Sure Fit brand to the Focus Products Group portfolio is all about accelerating and expanding growth opportunities,” said Jeff Ackerberg, Focus Products’ CEO.
The purchase has brought one of the most venerable textiles companies within the Focus fold. Founded in 1914, Sure Fit has long been a leader in the market for ready-made furniture slipcovers and coordinating accessories. In recent years, the company has expanded into decorative pillows, dining-room chair covers, pet throws and the Patio Armor brand of outdoor furniture and grills.
The deal benefits both Focus and Sure Fit, according to Ackerberg. “For Focus Products Group, the Sure Fit acquisition expands our ability to offer innovative products that enhance quality of life in all areas of the home,” he said.
For Sure Fit, the deal opens doors to a larger customer base. “A great example is the hospitality industry,” Ackerberg said. “We see tremendous opportunity for Sure Fit furniture covers and other products among hotels and restaurants, and Focus Products Group’s existing sales channel serving this industry will allow us to quickly and efficiently deliver Sure Fit solutions.”
Finding new channels for Sure Fit merchandise won’t stop with the hospitality industry. Ackerberg said, “We’ll look for similar opportunities to introduce Sure Fit products to additional markets in the months to come.”—David Gill