NEW YORK--The Robert Allen Group and Duralee Fabrics, Ltd. have finally merged (March 31) capping off negotiations that began last year with the loss of the founder, Leonard Silberman last April. The Robert Allen Duralee Group (The RAD Group) is the name of the new entity combining both companies. Lee Silberman, long-time Duralee executive, has been named CEO of The Robert Allen Duralee Group and will lead the combined companies. The broader management team of the newly formed company will be comprised of senior leaders from both companies. “By combining forces, both companies and their multiple brands are ideally positioned to provide an expanded offering of world class products and services to the interior design community and commercial customers,” a company spokesman says. The spokesperson says the existing brand portfolio of both companies “will continue to exist.” "We are in an industry that is constantly evolving,” Silberman points out. “By leveraging the rich history and resources of these two design industry leaders, we have created the opportunity to reshape and improve the client experience in luxury home décor. The combined product lines, multiple brands and expanded product categories create one of the most extensive offerings in the market and secure our position as a full service design resource. Our goal is to provide a complete product offering for today's design professional – and to do it with a service level that is the best in the industry,” Silberman explains. The Robert Allen Group was owned by investment firm Altamont Capital Partners (Altamont) prior to the combination, with Altamont continuing to serve as a financial partner to The Robert Allen Duralee Group on a go-forward basis. "We look forward to supporting the management team in their pursuit of the many exciting growth and innovation opportunities this merger presents," said Steve Brownlie, Managing Director of Altamont. The Robert Allen Duralee Group will be headquartered in Hauppauge, New York and will have locations worldwide. News of the merger was first shared with the sales agents of both companies. Industry observers guess the best agents will be retained in overlapped markets and the rest will leave. “Robert Allen never regained their foothold in the contract market with the retirement of Barry Baron,” a veteran contract man told F&FI. (Baron had 60 year’s experience in contract textiles and at one time was President of Robert Allen. He died in 2013.) With this new combination, greater efficiencies will be realized including the reduction of showroom space for both lines. “Robert Allen’s ownership after the Weissman Brothers sold it was not in hands of fabric people. It went to furniture people first and then to the current investor group as a financial play,” the source says.