Howard Elliott acquiring CTC
Companies showing together in Las Vegas
By Jenny Heinzen York -- Home Accents Today, 9/15/2009 10:44:00 AM
Howard Elliott announced Monday that it is acquiring CTC – formerly Chicago Textile Corporation.
CTC produces accent furniture and soft goods, including decorative pillows and top-of-bed lines. The line is manufactured in Illinois. The move will integrate a new domestic sewing and light manufacturing operation into Howard Elliott, a first for the importer. CTC products will warehouse and ship out of Howard Elliott’s Carol Stream, Ill., facility.
The move is designed to capitalize on the two companies’ respective strengths, and make them both stronger as a result, officials told Home Accents Today.
“We can help the through our sales network and our marketing and really brand them into our family,” said Brian Berk, president of Howard Elliott. “This gives us the opportunity to sell more to our current customers and find new customers.”
Jean Joseph, president of CTC, will remain as president of the new division. Other key management will also stay on-board.
“He’s never had the ability to import, and I’ve never had the ability to customize,” Berk said.
The two companies have shared a showroom location in Las Vegas for the past three markets.
“We’re ecstatic,” Berk said.” We think this will open all new categories for us in soft goods.”
“We think the opportunities are endless,” Joseph said. “It’s been a very welcome option because of the fact that we’re going to combining our strengths.” He said CTC’s biggest strengths are product development and design, whereas Howard Elliott brings its strong infrastructure.
“My goal is to now be able to concentrate on product development and design, and I won’t have to spend as much time running a company,” Joseph said.
Howard Elliott and CTC are located in WMC A-332.
























