After attending recording classes and landing an internship at a local studio, Zook mixed everything from worldbeat and jazz records to ESPN fishing shows and political ads. Having spent his entire childhood and teenage years playing guitar for a variety of bands, Joe Zook would soon discover his true passion-music production. I believe that with Sauder’s support and backing, we can take Studio RTA to the next level and in the process help grow both businesses.World-class Engineer Relies on KRK Monitors and Subwoofers for 7.1.4 Recording “We have a history of being able to anticipate market needs and responding quickly to them. “There are all kinds of synergies and opportunities moving forward, but what this is really about is teamwork. “We are on a roll, with our first six months up 110% over the same period last year,” Reitzen said. Studio RTA is equally upbeat about the acquisition. “As more of our retail customers, including Wal-Mart and Office Depot, open stores offshore, it makes sense for Sauder to be able to supply them with furniture, either through contract manufacturing, Greenfield sites or other arrangements,” Sauder said. The company also believes Studio RTA’s established Asian sources will position both companies for growth with the escalating number of retailers building stores outside North America. “This acquisition is one more step in our aggressive search to supplement our domestically produced RTA with imported materials that will give Sauder a world-class product offering, while leveraging our brand and distribution strength.” “Studio RTA is a well-respected and fast-growing brand with established sources in Asia for mixed-media parts for Sauder furniture, which will make us more competitive with contemporary and nontraditional furniture,” he said. He also said the acquisition will strengthen Sauder’s global strategy of supplying dealers with world-class products made in the most cost-efficient way. “That channel can now broaden its product offerings by adding some of the mixed-media items that Studio RTA offers,” he said. Meanwhile, Sauder added that he believes Studio RTA can benefit from Sauder’ longstanding relationships with the growing list of RTA superstores. And ironically, we recently added a new line of craft carts.” “As a result of the acquisition, we will now have entrée into that channel. “Studio RTA has a whole group of arts and crafts reps that call on those types of stores,” he said. Kevin Sauder said the acquisition “provides an excellent opportunity for sales growth in complementary product lines.” He said the move also can open distribution in new retail channels for Sauder, such as arts supply dealers. market, according to Furniture/Today’s Top 25 Manufacturers Survey.
Sauder, with sales last year of nearly $700 million, has 4,200 employees and ranks as the sixth-largest furniture manufacturer for the U.S. That made us much more comfortable buying and selling product that did not come from Archbold.” “In fact, I may have not moved forward with Studio RTA had I not had the Progressive deal under our belts. “Progressive helped us in a number of ways, including getting us more comfortable with imported products,” he said. That acquisition helped set the stage for the purchase of Studio RTA, according to company President and CEO Kevin Sauder. In April 2001, Sauder entered the case goods business with the acquisition of Progressive, a maker of domestic and imported case goods based in Swanton, Ohio, a town near Sauder’s home in Archbold. When the acquisition is complete, the Sauder family of companies, which also includes Progressive Furniture, Archbold Container and Sauder Mfg., the nation’s largest maker of church seating, is projected to reach about $750 million in sales. Studio RTA’s sales grew from $40 million in 2001 to a projected range of $65 million to $70 million this year, a jump of more than 60%.