— By Greg Sleter —

ARCHBOLD, OH— Sauder Woodworking is merging the sales and marketing operations of Studio RTA with those of Sauder, a move the company said would strengthen its global strategy of supplying dealers with products made in the most cost-efficient way.

“This merger will allow our retail customers to see us as one company, capable of better serving their needs for domestic and imported RTA furniture,” stated Kevin Sauder, president/CEO of Sauder.

While the Studio RTA brand will remain on select contemporary items, the merchandising and global operations team, headed by President Bob Hughes, will become Sauder Global Sourcing, the “import experts” for all Sauder customer programs.

Leading a team of merchants and global professionals, Hughes will help Sauder to capitalize on the growing demand for imported metal, glass, and wood RTA furniture, company officials said. In addition, Studio RTA’s new 200,000 square foot distribution center in Pico Rivera, CA, will allow customers to choose the direct import option or the more service-driven warehouse plan.

Brent Gingerich, who is being promoted to senior vice president, Sauder RTA Sales, will direct all RTA sales. Over the next several months, all major account programs and order fulfillment plans will merge into a “seamless, customer-driven solution,” Sauder officials said.

John Yoder, Sauder’s executive vp/marketing, will continue to guide the development of domestically-produced RTA furniture. In addition, Terry Stamper has been named director of new market development, reporting to Yoder. Stamper will explore ways to grow markets that utilize Sauder’s highly automated domestic panel production capabilities. Sauder’s product design team, headed by Doug Krieger, will design furniture for both the domestic and import merchandising teams.