This spring, luxury outdoor furnishings brand Skyline Design was acquired by Voolcan Grupo, a Spain-based parent company for several home brands. The Skyline Brand originated with Voolcan more than two decades ago, but has operated for 19 years under exclusive distribution by the Calzadilla family in the United States.
Germán Rubio, CEO of Voolcan Grupo, said bringing Skyline Design back into the fold was a natural choice for the company, which specializes in both residential and hospitality furnishings.
“Skyline Design is truly our baby — we are the origin of the brand,” he said. “Years ago, Skyline Design operated in the U.S. through an exclusive distributor, and when the opportunity came to bring it back under our direct ownership, we didn’t hesitate. This acquisition is about reclaiming what was always ours and taking it to the next level with the right team and vision in place.”
The acquisition of Skyline Design gives Voolcan Grupo a solid footprint in the United States market, which Rubio said made the acquisition even more enticing.
“The U.S. has always been a priority market for us,” he said. “What made this the right move is having the right leadership on the ground — German Javier Rubio Beltran, our CEO for North America, brings over 12 years of experience helping European companies successfully land and scale in the American market. That combination of local expertise and European DNA is exactly what Skyline Design needed to thrive again.”
Rubio said the acquisition also strengthens Voolcan Grupo’s overall portfolio, with its existing brands serving as a complement to what Skyline Design offers both aesthetically and from a performance standpoint.
“Customers can look forward to a broader and more refined offer,” Rubio said. “Under Voolcan Group, we will operate three distinct brands: Voolcan, our hotel and hospitality furniture line; Skyline Design, focused on contract and project-based solutions; and SKLD Studio, our boutique outdoor furniture line for the most discerning clients. Changes are coming — but all of them positive.”
Casual furnishings buyers will notice a few changes with Skyline’s former owner, Pelican Reef. Allen Calzadilla said the company will bring its Pelican Reef and Panama Jack offerings to the temporaries at Casual Market Atlanta, while Skyline Design takes over the permanent AmericasMart showroom the brands once shared. Speaking in April at High Point Market, Calzadilla said the acquisition of Skyline by Voolcan is a positive move for all involved.
“The Calzadilla family is so grateful for 19 years of partnership with the Skyline family,” he said.
Rubio said that moving forward, Voolcan Grupo plans to be thoughtful and deliberate with any changes to the Skyline Design brand, be they design- or production-focused. He said that ultimately, the company wants the brand to be a good partner and a design leader for the North American market.
“We will evolve the way we do things, but with a clear purpose,” he said. “Our goal is to operate like a true local player — responsive, agile and attuned to the U.S. market — while bringing the design sensibility and craftsmanship that Europe is known for. We will always follow U.S. standards, but we believe our European roots are what sets us apart.”
