Michael J. Knell
Will keep brand, operate company as a subsidiary

MASKINONGÉ, Quebec — Casual dining manufacturer Bermex International here has acquired bankrupt rival Dinec Furniture and plans to operate it as a subsidiary, using its existing factory and 90-member workforce.

“It is our intention to continue developing the brand,” said Bermex President Daniel Walker. “As we looked at it, we realized what a wonderful company it really was, staffed with good people who are well trained and dedicated.”

Dinec sought court protection under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act in January, about nine months after moving to a new factory in nearby Trois-Rivières. Founder and President Patrice Gervais said the company needed time to restructure and refinance.

Gervais is not expected to remain with Dinec.

Bermex acquired the factory, equipment, inventory and trademarks for an undisclosed sum. Production is expected to resume soon, after an inventory is concluded.

Walker said the 80,000-square-foot Dinec factory has a capacity of C$50 million annually. For the past few months, Dinec has been selling from inventory and will honor all outstanding orders. Walker said the backlog isn’t large.

Dinec will return to its core casual dining custom business. Two years ago, it started a bedroom line, and last April launched Diva, a highly contemporary chair, table and storage unit line for dining rooms and home offices. Both bedroom and Diva have been discontinued.

Bermex has seven other factories totaling 585,000 square feet, with 675 employees.

Walker believes there is room for both brands. “Bermex had a very good year last year and our business remains strong,” he said. “When we looked at their customer base and product line, we found there’s no question that there’s room for a company such as Dinec in the market.”

One priority is to appoint new management for Dinec, Walker said, adding, “Dinec will have its own sales force and its own product line. It will run itself and develop its own style, designs and position in the market at the middle to high end.”

He said Dinec would return to the High Point market in October, and will show in Las Vegas in July and in Toronto next January. Bermex is showing in High Point at 164 S. Main St., and plans to exhibit in Las Vegas for the first time this July.