In an increasingly competitive and volatile marketplace, three casual companies have joined forces to amplify their supply chain and buying power. GatherCraft, Kingston Casual and Summerset Casual have united to form United Supplier Alliance.
“Our products all complement each other, so it has been a win-win,” said Tony Rodriguez, president and CEO, Summerset Casual. “It allows you to order from one supply chain representing $30 million and gives scale leverage when negotiating with factories.”
The partnership has given the three brands wider access to factories overseas, as well as the ability to combine orders in the same shipment to offer more competitive pricing on smaller quantities. United Supplier Alliance members can utilize domestic warehousing operated by the individual companies, and each brand also now offers the option to order from all three businesses via their separate websites.
“In this kind of market, it’s easy to feel like you’re out there on your own,” said Dow Canup, CEO, Kingston Casual. “What this alliance has done is give us a real sense of partnership — people we can lean on, share ideas with and grow alongside. Our lines don’t compete; they complement each other. Together, we’re able to bring more to our customers than we ever could alone. It just makes sense — for our companies and for the retailers we’re proud to partner with.”
Headquartered in Austin, Texas, GatherCraft specializes in heavy-gauge aluminum and handwoven resin wicker woven furnishings, as well as cushions, firepits, umbrellas and furniture covers. Huntsville, Alabama-based Kingston Casual produces all-weather wicker, aluminum, teak and daybed furnishings. And Ontario, California-based Summerset Casual offers aluminum furnishings as well as furniture covers under its sister company, Shield Outdoor.
GatherCraft, Kingston Casual and Summerset Casual also will present a united front at the upcoming Casual Market Atlanta, July 15-17. Each company will have representation of its partner brands’ products in their showrooms. Kingston Casual shows in AmericasMart Building 1, Floor 4, Showroom C5, and Summerset Casual is in Building 1, Floor 5, Showroom D14.
