JACKSONVILLE, Fla.–The management and employees of Hunter Lighting Group/Kenroy have purchased the assets and ongoing operation of the lighting business from the Hunter Fan Co., based in Memphis, Tenn.
The new company, called Kenroy Home, will sell an expanded range of lighting and home decor products to a variety of distribution channels under the Kenroy Home brand, but will also continue to sell Hunter-branded lighting to a select group of accounts, under license from Hunter Fan, officials said.
Bob Pape, who served as group president of the Hunter Lighting Group from 1993 to 2005, and most recently president of Hunter’s now-shuttered Business Innovation Group, returned to the lighting division in November 2007 to lead the buyout effort. Pape heads up the Kenroy Home staff of industry veterans, which includes many long-term employees who invested money in the buyout.
The move gives Kenroy Home greater flexibility to enter new product categories, particularly complementary products for its customer base, Pape told HFN. Currently, Kenroy sells indoor and outdoor lighting as well as fountains to lighting showrooms, furniture and home decor retailers, and catalog and Internet retailers.
“We will be fast and customer-friendly without the assistance of a corporate parent,” Pape said.
Kenroy Home will operate its own product development, sales, marketing, customer service, credit and administration infrastructure from Jacksonville. No changes will be made in computer systems or distribution, which will continue through Hunter Fan’s Byhalia, Miss., distribution center.
Additionally, management remains intact, Pape said.
Joining Pape on the board are David Lasch, who continues as director of sales for lighting showrooms; Joel Wasserbauer, who continues as director of sales for decorative channels; and Deb Green, who continues as director of product development. Additionally, Evan Klippel, former director of inventory planning, has been named director of inventory and logistics, taking on more responsibilities in logistics. Gary Winters continues as controller, and Dot Raulerson continues as customer service manager.
Customers can expect to see a new logo, packaging and marketing materials, Pape told HFN.
Kenroy Home has 31 employees in Jacksonville and 10 in the company’s China office, which handles design, engineering and inspection.
Officials at Hunter Fan Co. were not immediately available.