EBELTOFT, DK -- Kvadrat, a leading European design-textile company, says it is substantially strengthening its position in the retail market with the acquisition of Kinnasand July 16.

Kinnasand, based in Germany,  specialises in designing high-quality curtain textiles, rugs and upholstery fabrics for the residential market. 

Anders Byriel, CEO of Kvadrat says:

“This deal represents our biggest acquisition to date. We are already first choice for architects and designers and making Kinnasand part of the Kvadrat family gives us the opportunity to develop new business in our retail channel. Kinnasand shares our design approach and values so it’s a great match for us, especially as they do have this strength in residential markets. They have fantastic collections and a great design team as well. Now there is the potential to create a long-term, international platform for the brand.”

Kvadrat is a Danish textile design company specializing in the contract fabric market. With Kinnsand, this is Kvadrat’s first entry into the residential sector. It was founded in 1968, supplying contract fabrics to architects, designers and furniture manufacturers throughout the world, for use in upholstery and curtains. Kvadrat is distributed through Maharam in the United States.

Kinnasand was founded more than 200 years in Sweden.  Although the company is based on a management buyout under German management, she has maintained her very Scandinavian profile and one of the few surviving textile brands in Scandinavia for the private sector.  The company has distinguished itself in the past two years of strong growth.  Through the acquisition of the plant in the northern German Kinnasand Westerstede, which currently employs 55 people, it will benefit directly from Kvadrat Kinnasand customer service. With Kvadrat's expertise in furniture fabrics combined with Kinnasand’s leading position in curtain fabricst is felt the combined company now has a comprehensive product and service portfolio. 

"I see the collaboration with Kvadrat as very positively but I'm also a little sad,” says Werner Hofmann, CEO and former owner of Kinnasand.” I am convinced that this decision is right for the future of Kinnasand. Together with Kvadrat, we will be much stronger. A big plus is the fact that Kinnasand is unchanged, but will be further developed by the new owner to be a global player. "

Kinnasand will continue to operate as an independent brand, but will take advantage of Kvadrat's international sales and showroom network.