Assyst-Bullmer Increases Upholstery Business; Lands LA-Z-BOY
September 20, 2000
Briarcliff Manor, N.Y. (USA) -The Munich, Germany-based CAD/CAM company Assyst-Bullmer opened a showroom in Atlanta, Ga., (U.S.A.) in April. In the month the showroom (and office) facility opened, two companies - one of whom is La-Z-Boy - retained Assyst-Bullmer for upholstery-related solutions.
Company branch manager Raymond J. Lucas co-opted a phrase from the Hollywood film, ''Field of Dreams'' to explain it. ''It's like, 'If you build it, they will come,''' Lucas said. ''We've already gotten a return on our investment. Instant gratification isn't bad.''
In July 1999, Assyst acquired Bullmer; prior to the acquisition companies often cooperated. Assyst, founded in Munich in 1985, offers highly effective CAD solutions for the sewn products industries - design, pattern-making, marker making/nesting, grading, product data management. Bullmer, which was begun in Mehrstetten, Germany in 1933, manufactures custom-spreading and cutting systems for the sewn products and technical textiles markets, which include products for the automotive industry.
Since the acquisition a year ago, Assyst-Bullmer's growth has acclerated. The company has locked up a high-profile client in LA-Z-BOY, completed construction on a fully equipped showroom and demonstration center in Atlanta, Ga., and added four members to its sales, support and marketing teams.
Brad Mikes, southern region sales manager, said the acquisition created synergies, which have given momentum to company's business with upholstery clients.
''Bullmer is the cutting and spreading side of the business, which really gave us an entrée into the upholstery business. Prior to that, we were just CAD; now we're CAD/CAM.
''Apparel is declining in the States and upholstery is really picking up,'' said Mikes. ''For us, upholstery is going to grow.''
Rick Ludolph, Assyst-Bullmer president said that upholstery represents about 30 percent of the company's business. ''It's up considerably over the last couple of years. We expect it to continue growing,'' he said. Mikes estimated that Assyst-Bullmer invests about 40 percent of its time working in upholstery, whether in sales or implementation processes. Thomas Heinrichs is the CEO of Assyst-Bullmer; Rolph Jong is the managing director of Bullmer.
The company has offices in the several American cities as well as in the United Kingdom, Hungary, Italy and China. It also has distributors throughout the world. According to a company press release, Assyst-Bullmer has more than 7,000 customers in 50 countries. F&FI
Company branch manager Raymond J. Lucas co-opted a phrase from the Hollywood film, ''Field of Dreams'' to explain it. ''It's like, 'If you build it, they will come,''' Lucas said. ''We've already gotten a return on our investment. Instant gratification isn't bad.''
In July 1999, Assyst acquired Bullmer; prior to the acquisition companies often cooperated. Assyst, founded in Munich in 1985, offers highly effective CAD solutions for the sewn products industries - design, pattern-making, marker making/nesting, grading, product data management. Bullmer, which was begun in Mehrstetten, Germany in 1933, manufactures custom-spreading and cutting systems for the sewn products and technical textiles markets, which include products for the automotive industry.
Since the acquisition a year ago, Assyst-Bullmer's growth has acclerated. The company has locked up a high-profile client in LA-Z-BOY, completed construction on a fully equipped showroom and demonstration center in Atlanta, Ga., and added four members to its sales, support and marketing teams.
Brad Mikes, southern region sales manager, said the acquisition created synergies, which have given momentum to company's business with upholstery clients.
''Bullmer is the cutting and spreading side of the business, which really gave us an entrée into the upholstery business. Prior to that, we were just CAD; now we're CAD/CAM.
''Apparel is declining in the States and upholstery is really picking up,'' said Mikes. ''For us, upholstery is going to grow.''
Rick Ludolph, Assyst-Bullmer president said that upholstery represents about 30 percent of the company's business. ''It's up considerably over the last couple of years. We expect it to continue growing,'' he said. Mikes estimated that Assyst-Bullmer invests about 40 percent of its time working in upholstery, whether in sales or implementation processes. Thomas Heinrichs is the CEO of Assyst-Bullmer; Rolph Jong is the managing director of Bullmer.
The company has offices in the several American cities as well as in the United Kingdom, Hungary, Italy and China. It also has distributors throughout the world. According to a company press release, Assyst-Bullmer has more than 7,000 customers in 50 countries. F&FI
