Midwest and CBK to Merge

-- Home Textiles Today, 5/12/2009 8:28:00 AM

Cannon Falls, Minn. — Midwest of Cannon Falls and CBK Styles will merge to become Midwest-CBK, a major home accents company. Midwest is known for its Colonial Candle and Seasons of Cannon Falls brands; and CBK is known for its home and garden décor, gifts and accessories under the CBK Styles brand. The Midwest-CBK merger will be led by Frederic Contino as president, with Terry Stewart as executive vice president of sales, Renee Solczak as vice president of national accounts, and Renee Williams as vice president of independent accounts.

“Although Midwest and CBK have their own unique and separate histories, we have always shared a common goal of serving the same independent retailers with outstanding, on-trend, competitively priced products, and backing that up with a dedicated sales force and responsive, reliable customer service. Our alliance brings many benefits and opportunities to retailers through an unmatched selection of gift and home products from one company, more innovation in products and programs, depth of design, sourcing, manufacturing resources and customer service and support, backed by a company that is stronger than ever as one,” says Frederic Contino, president of Midwest-CBK.

Robert B. Goergen Jr., president of Blyth Inc., Midwest-CBK’s parent company, noted that the merger of the brands into one major company shows Blythe’s “confidence in the giftware and home décor industries, and in the growth opportunities of Midwest-CBK.” The company will operate with offices and manufacturing plants in Cannon Falls, Minn..; Elkin, N.C.; Franklin, Tenn.; Hong Kong; Shenzhen, China; and Union City, Tenn.