F Mo ree C OD op Br ies us at sel s
Volume 24, Number 4
Autumn 2014
The Global Home & Contract Furnishings Newspaper
Höpke’s Upholstery Focus Produces 2014 Europe Sales Gain Plus Exclusive Distribution Through Prismatek Secures USA Foothold Sipco News Network
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IEDERFULLBACH, Germany—Höpke Mobelstoffe International is reaping the benefits of an aggressive export program after five years in foreign markets, according to Olaf Maier, General Manager of this E30 million upholstery distributor with 80 employees, one of the largest in Europe, right up there with Eurotex and Textaafoam. “It’s more unusual to be an
upholstery only distributor in Europe than to be a decorative fabrics distributor,” Maier says. The business grew three percent for the first half of 2014, Maier states, with export now accounting for 30 percent of total sales. Maier joined the business in 1985 and married the boss’ daughter, he says. He took over the business in 1990 when it was doing E3.5 million and watched it grow tenfold in 24 years by doing things a little differently than his father-in-law.
See Top 10 Global Woven Upholstery Mills • PAGE 10
Wear Brooks ‘Sonoma,’ Or Nothing At All • PAGE 14
Olaf Maier, General Manager of Hopke Mobelstoffe International in Niederfullbach, Germany with Anke Kondek, President of Prismatek International, a jobber in Fort Myers, FL and Bob Coleman, Managing Director, RNB Partners, Princeton, NJ consultant. (continued on page 12)
C/HNEWS I
Mariak Enters Residential, Hospitality Textiles Through Digital Printing
Boyteks Plans Further Expansion Haci Boydak, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Boydak Holding A.S. in Kayseri, Turkey proudly holds the multi-purpose upholstery/window fabric produced by Boyteks, its $134 million ticking/ upholstery division set for further expansion. • PAGE 10
The Elinson Father/ Daughter Team Adds New Business • PAGE 20
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