New Company OCI/Sitwell
Seating-maker Office Chairs Inc. (OCI) announced Friday April 2, that is has acquired SitWell LLC in a strategic combination of two high profile seating manufacturers in Southern California. The new firm will be named OCI/SitWell. Details of the transaction were not released.
OCI, founded by the late Joe Klapper in Whittier, California, has been making office seating for over 35 years. Don Simek and Joe’s widow, Sharon, moved the company to Santa Fe Springs, CA after the 1987 Whittier earthquake destroyed their factory and were responsible for its growth in the 1980s and 1990s.
“We are very excited about adding the SitWell line of executive leather and ergonomic task chairs to our existing line of lobby and public seating,” said Jay Klapper, President and son of the founder. “Both companies have national representation and this acquisition will enable OCI SitWell to strengthen our rep network and offer a much broader line of products to their retail dealers, contract designer and specifiers.” Jay Klapper stated that OCI SitWell has several new chairs already in development and will be rolling them out in the third and fourth quarters of this year.
“We feel this combination will be a springboard to help us become one of the premier seating manufacturers in the United States,” said Chairman Don Simek. The principals of SitWell will be staying on in similar capabilities. Founded in 2002, SitWell has taken advantage of combining both domestic and imported components to provide their market with a cost effective market relevant seating solution.
OCI SitWell will operate out of the present OCI location in Santa Fe Springs, CA.