2008-04-26 19:22:12 - Exciting developments are taking place at Cole + Co, the manufacturer and distributor of
specialty building and finish products based in Dallas, Texas.

In January, President Christopher Cole announced the acquisition of a key division of ICON Custom Cabinets & Surfaces. Recently, Cole added G.R. Christon, formerly of ICON Custom Surfaces, as the new company CEO. And on May 1st, Cole + Co. will move into an expansive new location at 13766 Beta Road in the heart of the North Dallas Design District.Rapid

growth and impressive revenue numbers have been a part of the story for Cole + Co. from their beginning in 1999, when they established their name with furniture-styled built-in vanity systems. They eventually added kitchen cabinetry, countertops and home furnishings which made them popular with builders and consumers alike. With the expansion of their turn-key offerings for builders, the move into the hospitality and multi-family markets, and a growing e-commerce component, the move into larger corporate premises became inevitable. The relocation into the 20,000-square-foot space on Beta Road in Dallas will allow for the expansion of the corporate side of Cole and much more. This is the most significant move the company has ever made and the vastly increased capacity, along with major increases in management and staff, poises them to become a $100 million corporation for the first time. It was essential to consolidate key management personnel from the ICON acquisition into one location, and office and warehouse functions will share the same site. The new location will allow for expanded training, a 'war room' for strategy development and brainstorming, impressive sample and showroom areas, a design library and a work room on which several models will be able to be set up at all times.

The acquisition of the Garland, Texas-based Cabinet Division of ICON Custom Cabinets & Surfaces strengthened Cole + Co's design and production operations, allowing it to be a more competitive manufacturer in terms of projects, project management and the delivery of programs for the single and multi-family builder markets. There are now five distinct divisions at Cole + Co.. The Consumer and Showroom division provides an inventory of vanities for the bath and other ready-to-deliver home furnishings. The Builder division also features inventoried bath vanities and drop-shipped home furnishings, but in addition provides model home design and furnishing. The Hospitality sector offers custom bath systems, decorative plumbing fixtures and case goods. The Multi-Family division features custom cabinetry and countertops along with model home design and furnishings. The very exciting E-Commerce division, featuring a component called FurnitureClick, offers private web sites that offer rebates on home furnishing sales to single and multi-family developers who promote the site to their customers.

Cole + Co. was voted one of Inc. Magazine's 500 fastest-growing companies in 2005, and with the planned segmentation of its business is now more than ever a major player in the world of cabinetry, furniture and accessories. 'The ICON acquisition gave us a distinct advantage to position ourselves in the pursuit of contracts in single and multi-family, condominium and senior living markets for complete turnkey delivery of our programs,' states Christopher Cole. 'Not only have we improved our company's expertise, enabling us to reach our strategic goals, but the addition of a cabinet program is a natural addition to Cole + Co.'s goal to expand its multi-family and hospitality business. Additionally, the benefit of ICON's senior management team improves systems, processes and infrastructure.' The acquisition allows Cole to further its strategic diversification in key markets. With the acquisition and new contracts currently in negotiation, and with its top-notch clientele, which includes such industry heavyweights as Centex, Starwood, Hilton and David Weekley Homes, Cole + Co expects to more than double its business for 2008.

Eleven members of ICON's management and staff came to Cole as part of the acquisition, including G. R. Christon, who will serve as the company's CEO. Christon's vast experience in investment banking, mergers and acquisitions and high level project management will assist him in positioning the fast-growing company. Says Cole, 'His vision for the company is the same as mine, we are good friends, and after working with him on other projects for the past four years, he has my complete trust. We both know in our hearts that with current program developments, we can hit the fifty million and the 100 million mark.'


At a time when the rest of the country is feeling the pinch of a strained economy, Cole + Co. President Christopher Cole feels very optimistic about the future. 'With our product lines, our management and support team, the best rep force in the country, and our new location, it's an incredibly exciting time. There's certainly a lot of hard work ahead, but we have everything in place to take the company to the next level and far beyond.'

To learn more about Cole & Co. visit www.cole-us.com or contact Nicole Gill-Ottinger 312.228.8030 for information on its principals and products.