Erwin & Sons Direct Imports positions itself for growth

Staff -- Casual Living, 7/1/2005 12:00:00 AM

To keep up with the outdoor living trend, Erwin & Sons Direct Imports, Inc., has open-ed a state-of-the-art office and showroom in Woodstock, Ga., an Atlanta suburb.

Erwin & Sons has manufactured and imported residential rattan and wicker for retailers throughout the Eastern United States since 1984. But over the past few years, the popularity of outdoor resin has prompted a 180-degree change in its merchandising mix.

"Our sales have increased over 40% in the last 12 months, much of it due to the addition of outdoor resin to our lines," Jim Erwin, founder and president of Erwin & Sons, said. "We are now in a strong position of growth and are expanding our business horizons to be a major importer to the West Coast within the next year to 18 months."

Erwin & Sons' proprietary new stone tabletop collection, The Lightweights, attracted attention at the National Hardware Show in May. Its merchandise mix also includes Talenti handcrafted Italian stone tabletops; marble sink vanities and mirrors; occasionals in metal and wood; indoor deep seating and bedroom rattan; loom furnishings and its own lines of indoor and outdoor cushions.