COMO, Italy — The Climent brothers, Juan and Jose, report that sales have increased in 2011 over 2010 to the tune of 20 percent based in part on their acquisition of Pepe Penalver last year and the emergence of  ‘Viollettes,’ its latest line of medium priced fabrics for the wholesaler. 

That follows a 20 percent increase in 2010 over 2009 according to Juan, managing director.

Viollettes sells for 15 Euros a meter whereas Lizzo, the top end of the ranges produced by Climent’s companies is in the 100 Euro range. There are a total of 160 employees in their Group with a 20 man design department in Alicante, Spain. Juan Climent

“We have expanded our presence in the world and Juan expects to have three stands at Maison Décor this year showcasing Lizzo, Alhambra, Pepe Penalver brands. “Textiles is my favorite drug,” Juan says.

He and his brother Jose work a wicked work week 10-12 hours a day that is not typical of most European’s lifestyle.

The energetic pair have dramatically increased the size of their textile holdings to about 40 million Euros annually with the six million Eurodollar acquisition of the Pepe Penalver brand last year which includes four large stores in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Alicante, Spain.

It also includes 85 franchised shops under the Maison Décor banner covering lamps, accessories, carpets, furniture and fabrics. Each owner pays a 20,000 Euro fee for the franchise with continuing royalties based on sales, he said.

In spite of this acquisition, Climent says that Spain represents only 25 percent of his overall business today.  In addition to Pepe Penalver,  the Climent’s other textile holdings in its group   include   the ‘Alhambra’ retail brand which was originally a textile mill that has now morphed into a retail brand for cut length. Alhambra  has exclusive distributors in 90 countries; Lizzo, the upmarket editeur brand.

“Spain is a very tough environment to do business today. We operate in 92 countries and that is our strength—that we are not dependent on any one market any longer,” said Juan during Proposte. He started the business 34 years ago. His brother Jose runs the Pepe Penalver and Lizzo businesses.

Lizzo in the USA is represented by Kravet. Bill Peters, formerly president of Stroheim & Roman before it was sold to Fabricut, has made a deal to represent Alhambra in a showroom operation known as Brown & Chandler. The Lizzo, Alhambra and Pepe Penalver brands are represented in China in three showroom in Shanghai in 350 square meters; Beijing with 250 sqm and 200 sqm in Shenzhen.

The lines are also sold in Croatia and Serbia which also handles all of Eastern Europe for the brands. Juan Carlos Climent manages this operation. He is Juan Climent’s son.   F&FI