by Company also names industry veteran Sean Gillespie director of sales for the brand
CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif. — The owners of Ardmore Home Design have completed their purchase of the Burton James brand, a bench-made manufacturer of custom upholstery.
Officials did not reveal the purchase price or other terms of the transaction. However, the company said that it includes intellectual property and product designs along with manufacturing operations and equipment in Burton James’ 54,600-square-foot plant in City of Industry, California. The company said it plans to continue production in this facility.
They also noted that Burton James will join a family of brands that also includes lighting and wood furniture resource Made Goods, bath and office accessories resource Pigeon & Poodle, and flatware, dinnerware and drinkware resource Blue Pheasant.
With the purchase, the company adds a custom upholstery resource that has been in business for more than 40 years, allowing it to expand its upholstery assortment and resources for its existing customers.
“We are excited to welcome the Burton James brand into our family of brands,” said Chris DeWitt, founder, co-owner and chief executive officer of Made Goods/AHD. “Adding this brand aligns perfectly with our vision for growth and allows us to leverage our strengths with the strengths of the Burton James brand. We believe that when we infuse our strong design resources, our commitment to quality and customer service, our focus on operational excellence and our financial stability, the Burton James brand will thrive and flourish.”
DeWitt said the company also looks forward to working with Ray Zoref, president emeritus of Burton James for the past two years, “as we assimilate his brand into ours and build on his vision.”
Officials added Zoref will remain in contact with the new owners, but will not have a day-to-day role in the new organization.
Zoref said he looks forward to working with owners Chris DeWitt and Oscar Yague throughout the transition.
“I’ve known Chris and Oscar for several years and have always been impressed with the success of their brands,” Zoref said. “I look forward to continuing to share my background with them. I know that the Burton James brand is in the right hands to take it forward in ways that haven’t been possible before. Together, we will uphold the legacy of outstanding customer service and delivering quality products.”
As part of the announcement, the company also has named Sean Gillespie director of sales for the Barton James brand, marking his return to Ardmore Home Design and Made Goods following a year-and-a-half absence.
He comes to the company from Brown Jordan, where he was director of architecture and design for the East. Before that, he was national and New York City territory sales manager for Made Goods from April 2017 through November 2022.
He also was previously a regional and key accounts manager and training and product specialist for Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams for just over 14 years. Before that, he was a sales manager and buyer for Zona, a home furnishings retailer in New York City.
In his new position, he will focus on “fostering relationships with clients and building the Burton James brand, with a focus on product development, excellent customer service and new sales initiatives.”
“With his proven track record of providing exceptional customer service, delivering results and implementing innovative sales techniques, Sean will be instrumental in driving our growth strategy for Burton James forward,” the company said.
Added Chris DeWitt, “We are delighted to welcome Sean back to our team. His history with our brands and strategic vision make him the ideal leader to guide our sales efforts and focus on customer satisfaction. We are confident that under Sean’s new leadership role, our sales team will achieve even greater levels of success.”
Gillespie and other members of the Burton James team will be at the April High Point Market where the brand shows at 310 N. Hamilton St.
He said he is pleased to be rejoining the “Made Goods family of brands in this new chapter. It’s exciting for me to be coming home to lead the sales team during this period of growth and innovation. I look forward to leading sales for the Burton James brand to deliver exceptional value to our clients and to continue the legacy of Burton James of providing high quality upholstery.”
