JLA Home Buys Pet Bed Powerhouse

Acquisition of Flex-Mat Adds Midwestern Distribution Capability

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 2/13/2007 12:00:00 AM

Plainfield, Ill. —

JLA Home, a division of E & E Co., has acquired Flexi-Mat Corporation, a design and manufacturer of pet bedding products sold through all channels of distribution in the North American market, with annual revenues of $60 million.

The acquisition includes all Flexi-Mat real estate, production, and warehouse equipment as well as all intellectual properties and patents. The 150,000-square-foot, state-of the-art production and distribution facility and several acres of land give JLA Home distribution capabilities in the Midwest with the ability to expand, the company said.

"This now makes us the dominant player in this $240 million [pet bed] category," said Scott White, senior vp.

JLA's new pet goods division will likely operate under the existing Flexi-Mat name, which has been in existence for more than 60 years. A core team of former Flexi-Mat employees and management has been hired to lead the new division, reporting directly into the JLA management team.