Teka USA shutters showroom, trims staff

By Cecile B. Corral -- Home Textiles Today, 2/16/2004 12:00:00 AM

NEW YORK —

Only five months after downsizing personnel and slimming product offerings, Teka USA Inc. recently restructured its operations again, this time permanently shutting down its showroom here and reducing its U.S.-based staff to a single sales executive.

Additionally, the company is reorganizing its bath and beach towel programs for the American market.

Mauricio Kanzeski, account manager for licensed products in Europe and the United States, said the company terminated its showroom lease at 295 Fifth Ave. to move into a smaller office space at 254 Park Ave. South in suite 12J.

"We are keeping an office in the United States for our people from Brazil who go to New York to do direct business with suppliers and retailers," Kanzeski explained.

He also said that Reimund Manneck, formerly vice president of Teka USA, is in negotiations with the parent company in Brazil to create a newly structured position in sales. Teka USA recently laid off its only other U.S.-based employee, a designer.

Product-wise, Teka USA continues to pursue opportunities directly with retailers but has also recently forged exclusive relationships for specific towel programs. New York-based Michele Sinai Inc. is the exclusive U.S. supplier for jacquard beach towels and Miami-based Conker Trading Corp. will exclusively supply some special bath towel programs, Kanzeski said.