Huppé teams with Italdivani to launch upholstery line

UPDATED

VICTORIAVILLE, Quebec — Contemporary case goods specialist Huppé has entered into a strategic alliance with Italdivani that will help it launch its own line of contemporary upholstery at the upcoming spring edition of the High Point Market. It will also be centre stage at the Canadian Furniture Show in May.

Jean François Nolin, who because president when he acquired Huppé in 2010 described the new co-operative effort as part of his plan to drive the company’s growth and make it a powerhouse on the high-end contemporary furniture scene across North America.

Based in nearby Montreal, Italdivani was founded in 1993 by Nicola Amendola. Its 12-member production staff specialises in making contemporary styled sofas, chairs, sections and sofa beds, mainly for the market in Quebec with some limited distribution in nearby Ontario.

The brother and sister team of Mike and Marina Amendola, the founder’s children, will lead Italdivani’s side of the alliance.

“This project started about two years ago,” explains Nolin, “Because I started to believe this company should become a single point of contact for retailers wanting high-end contemporary furniture.”

Teaming up with Italdivani makes sense as the two companies are very much alike. “For me, this is a perfect wedding,” Nolin said. “And it’s not just because of the values we share, but because of our commitment to taking our product to the next level.”

Huppé’s design director Joël Dupras added, “Italdivani and Huppé have a shared love of quality, beauty, and comfort. Joining forces just makes sense.”

Nolin said the timing of the new combined venture is also right as Huppé has enjoyed solid growth over the past three years, to the point where the company has just opened a new 16,000 square foot paint shop and is adding another 8,500 square feet of manufacturing space to support further growth. The upholstery will be made at Italdivani’s existing facility in Montreal.

The new entity’s first upholstery collection – called Lounging – will be unveiled at the upcoming spring edition of the High Point Market. The six groups will display “an artistic unity…with the wood furniture our brand is famous for, shining through those irresistibly comfortable fabrics and leathers,” according to Dupras.

Each group will combine modular armchairs, sofas and sectionals.

“This will provide our customers with an integrated offering: Lounging by Huppé will join the existing lines Up by Huppé and Huppé. In other words, the upholstered living room furniture will complement our bedroom, dining room, home office and entertainment furniture collections,” Nolin said.

Italdivani’s existing product lines will continue to be available.

“We are two companies specialising in designing and manufacturing; who share a single vision: being and remaining the only manufacturers in North America to offer six product categories in the contemporary furniture niche,” Nolin said, adding, “We believe in the strength of our collaboration, since it is based on shared values that include innovation and quality.”

During the High Point Market – which opens for its five-day run on April 16 – Huppé’s showroom is located in Suite 333 at 220 Elm.

The new collection will also be featured at the Canadian Furniture Show, which opens at the International Centre in Toronto on May 28 and runs through May 30.

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Editor's Note: A previous version of this report stated Huppe was in the process of acquiring Italdivani. This is not the case and HGO apologises for any confusion and inconvenience caused.