Omexco to Launch 'East-Meets-West' Collection
January 13, 2003
Heverlee, Belgium - Textile wallcoverings producer Omexco has changed its ownership structure and is making major inroads into the contract furnishings market.
In July 2002, John Dubaere bought out his partner and company founder Bob Rans. Omexco has also invested in the latest printing machinery, developed nonwoven backings and will launch an innovative, Asian-inspired collection at Heimtextil.
After several problems with suppliers, Omexco acquired a rotary screen-printing machine in 1980 and began printing its own wallcovering products. It also started to engage a network of distributors, who sell to architects, retailers and other customers.
Most of the wallcoverings are made from viscose warp yarns bonded to a nonwoven backing, although recent collections include polyamide velvets on a backing made from cellulose reinforced with polyester, and natural fibers on a paper backing. Most of the stock is sourced from Belgian converters, with some custom-made natural products from Asia.
Sales manager Diane Daniels said Europe represents 57 percent of turnover. France, the biggest European market, accounts for 20 percent of sales, with Asia registering 10 percent and the Middle East at 8 percent. The upcoming market, Eastern Europe, already represents 10 percent of turnover. Total sales in 2001 were around Ã8.5 million and the company is forecasting 2002 sales to be 15 percent higher.
Omexco currently offers 18 collections, some of which include matching fabrics as accessories. ''As France is such an important country for our products, designs are principally European and in the warm colors particularly required by the French market,'' said Daniels.
At Heimtextil 2002, the company launched Oasis, a collection featuring grass and plant fibers, such as bamboo and jute, with matching silk and linen fabrics. It also introduced an ''architect box'' of pattern books. For residential collections, pattern books are similarly sold to customers.
While residential sales represent 60 to 70 percent of turnover, contract sales are increasing. ''We try to make collections for both markets,'' Daniels explained. ''We operate mainly in the 'soft' contract sector - offices, theaters, restaurants and hotels - rather than hospitals and airports, for example.
''As we are small and very flexible we can give a fast cut-length service. We have a large stock of all printed items - wallcoverings, borders and fabrics - and can fulfill large, 3,000- to 5,000-meter orders within two days.''
Omexco exhibits at Heimtextil, Equip'Hôtel, DecoContract and Batimat. The company has a small office in Paris that works exclusively for the contract market, and recently acquired an order for the worldwide chain of Novotels. Other hotel contracts include Holiday Inn, Sheraton, Hilton and Shangri-La.
In 2001, Omexco bought a Zimmer eight-color rotary printing machine that uses water-based inks. Also new is a calender that can apply a shiny finish and is also used for embossing. Stain-repellent and flame-retardant finishes can be applied to certain ranges, said Daniels At press time, Omexco said it would present present Higashi West at Heimtextil. The company describes the collection as an ''east-meets-west'' combination of Asian lifestyles and materials and Western colors and wallcovering traditions, with design direction from Herman Van Peer. F&FI
In July 2002, John Dubaere bought out his partner and company founder Bob Rans. Omexco has also invested in the latest printing machinery, developed nonwoven backings and will launch an innovative, Asian-inspired collection at Heimtextil.
After several problems with suppliers, Omexco acquired a rotary screen-printing machine in 1980 and began printing its own wallcovering products. It also started to engage a network of distributors, who sell to architects, retailers and other customers.
Most of the wallcoverings are made from viscose warp yarns bonded to a nonwoven backing, although recent collections include polyamide velvets on a backing made from cellulose reinforced with polyester, and natural fibers on a paper backing. Most of the stock is sourced from Belgian converters, with some custom-made natural products from Asia.
Sales manager Diane Daniels said Europe represents 57 percent of turnover. France, the biggest European market, accounts for 20 percent of sales, with Asia registering 10 percent and the Middle East at 8 percent. The upcoming market, Eastern Europe, already represents 10 percent of turnover. Total sales in 2001 were around Ã8.5 million and the company is forecasting 2002 sales to be 15 percent higher.
Omexco currently offers 18 collections, some of which include matching fabrics as accessories. ''As France is such an important country for our products, designs are principally European and in the warm colors particularly required by the French market,'' said Daniels.
At Heimtextil 2002, the company launched Oasis, a collection featuring grass and plant fibers, such as bamboo and jute, with matching silk and linen fabrics. It also introduced an ''architect box'' of pattern books. For residential collections, pattern books are similarly sold to customers.
While residential sales represent 60 to 70 percent of turnover, contract sales are increasing. ''We try to make collections for both markets,'' Daniels explained. ''We operate mainly in the 'soft' contract sector - offices, theaters, restaurants and hotels - rather than hospitals and airports, for example.
''As we are small and very flexible we can give a fast cut-length service. We have a large stock of all printed items - wallcoverings, borders and fabrics - and can fulfill large, 3,000- to 5,000-meter orders within two days.''
Omexco exhibits at Heimtextil, Equip'Hôtel, DecoContract and Batimat. The company has a small office in Paris that works exclusively for the contract market, and recently acquired an order for the worldwide chain of Novotels. Other hotel contracts include Holiday Inn, Sheraton, Hilton and Shangri-La.
In 2001, Omexco bought a Zimmer eight-color rotary printing machine that uses water-based inks. Also new is a calender that can apply a shiny finish and is also used for embossing. Stain-repellent and flame-retardant finishes can be applied to certain ranges, said Daniels At press time, Omexco said it would present present Higashi West at Heimtextil. The company describes the collection as an ''east-meets-west'' combination of Asian lifestyles and materials and Western colors and wallcovering traditions, with design direction from Herman Van Peer. F&FI
