Hollander looks to build brand overseas

Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 10/1/2001 12:00:00 AM

Hollander Home Fashions

Boca Raton, FL

President: Leo Hollander

Principal businesses: top of bed, utility and basic bedding

As far as Hollander Home Fashions is concerned, the future of the home textiles world definitely lies overseas.

"Obviously, or else we wouldn't be doing it," said Leo Hollander, president and ceo. "We've got a lot of money invested overseas."

Hollander currently owns facilities in Germany, Canada and China and sources other products from Pakistan, India, Korea, Mexico, France and Israel.

The reasons, Hollander said, for either owning plants or sourcing goods from overseas are simple. First, it establishes a market share in that area. Second, it enables a U.S.-based vendor to have access to products that are no longer available here.

But what is unique about Hollander's manufacturing scheme is that its German and Canadian facilities generally only make product for their prospective areas and do not export anything for U.S. consumption.

Hollander said the company was purposefully laid out that way in order to take advantage of what he believes is a rapidly expanding and globalizing retail picture.

"Our strategy is to build the brand. That much everyone tries to do," Hollander said. "But our second strategy is to protect ourselves by being able to have retailers work with one resource around the world."

Hollander pointed to the European plan to change over to one currency as a prime example. He believes that one day a similar situation would exist in North America, and if that becomes the case, Hollander Home Fashions would be ready by being able to supply virtually any retailer anywhere in the world.

"Just like the Euro is being established over there, I think the same thing will happen here," Hollander said. "I think the Latin American retailing atmosphere is going to change, too."

"There are opportunities open a global level," he continued.