Home Source Acquires Karsten's Terrisol

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 7/16/2007 12:00:00 AM

Atlanta —

Home textile sales, marketing and product development company Home Source International has expanded operations by the acquisition of Terrisol Corporation from Karsten America, the wholly owned United States subsidiary of Karsten Brazil.

Home Source supply chain and logistics capabilities will expand with the addition of the Karsten 90,000 square-foot warehouse and distribution facility in Troutman, N.C., along with the experienced management team at the facility to handle customer service, international traffic, and financial and account management.

Home Source coo John Fraley said, "Although we have been operating and will continue with a full service warehouse and distribution facility in Atlanta, this acquisition greatly expands the level of service we can provide our retail customers at a time when the retail community is demanding full service."

Fraley noted, "Now, in addition to the unique and differentiated product we focus on bringing to the market, we will expand our direct import and port of entry initiatives and will have significantly larger capabilities for the F.O.B." services that are in demand by U.S. retailers.

In conjunction with the acquisition, Home Source has made changes in its Home Source Brand management.

Craig Benepe, formerly president of Home Source Brand sales to high end specialty stores, will become evp of Home Source International Private Label and Hospitality sales, focusing on key larger retail accounts and the hospitality trade.

Scott Sorgeloos, formerly Home Source Brand operations and logistics manager, will replace Benepe as vp of Home Source Brand sales.

Both sales managers will report directly to Keith Sorgeloos, president and ceo of Home Source.

The new Home Source Brand operations and logistics manager in Atlanta focusing on the high end specialty store trade will be Janette Huff, formerly head of Home Source Brand customer service. Huff will report to Fraley. Anne Wagner will become the new customer service manager reporting to Huff.

Mike Beard is named cfo; he joins Home Source after a 27 year career with successor-companies WestPoint Pepperell, WestPoint Stevens, and WestPoint Home, where he was most recently director of financial planning and analysis. Beard replaces Amanda Abernathy, vp of finance and operations, who resigned to start her own business.