Agio parent company purchases Sun Isle

By Staff -- Casual Living, 8/1/2004 12:00:00 AM

Shianco, parent company of Agio International, has purchased Sun Isle's all-weather wicker and stone top manufacturing facilities in Qingdao, China.

Agio President Bob Gaylord and Shian Chairman and CEO Oliver Wang have been investing money into Sun Isle facilities for the past year, prior to completing the buyout in April.

Larry Schwartz, Sun Isle president, will remain with the company. "Larry has created some brilliant products at Sun Isle over the last five years," Gaylord said. "His expertise and talent will help us bring the most viable all-weather programs possible to the industry at large."

Gaylord and Schwartz said the first goal is to bring more stability to Sun Isle manufacturing. "We have some very specific ideas on how to help improve the manufacturing model, employing many of the disciplines and principles we have used at Agio for years to bring a quality product delivered on time," Gaylord said.

Agio's U.S.-based management team will be involved in the Sun Isle marketing, sales and customer service.

The 2005 all-weather wicker program for the specialty retailer segment will be offered exclusively through the Agio USA division, which will include Sun Isle designs manufactured in both facilities.