Flokk has acquired U.S.-based Via Seating from North American furniture manufacturer Groupe Lacasse. This transaction further solidifies Flokk’s position in the U.S. market, which now constitutes 40% of total sales for the group, aligning with its long-term acquisition strategy.
Through organic growth and multiple acquisitions, Flokk has transformed from a Scandinavian player to a European market leader in office seating and furniture. With a strong foothold in the U.S. market, Flokk now reports annual revenues of approximately $450 million.
“Acquisitions are a key element of our strategy, and over the years, we have proved that we provide a nurturing home for some of the most innovative brands in the fragmented office furniture industry,” said Henning Karlsrud, group CEO of Flokk. ”Via Seating’s strength within the executive and task chair segment, combined with key characteristics such as design, quality, ergonomics and sustainability, fits perfectly with our group strategy. Building on the success of our acquisitions of 9to5 Seating and Stylex in the U.S., we are thrilled to add Via Seating to our brand portfolio. Alongside our HÅG brand, this makes for a strong lineup in the U.S. market.”
Founded in 1987 by Danish-born Thomas Sorensen, Via Seating has established itself as an innovative seating specialist. The company employs approximately 150 and with the acquisition Flokk will generate annual sales of about $175 million in the U.S. market. Via Seating’s headquarters and manufacturing facility are located in Reno, Nev., and it will continue to operate from its facilities there, led by CEO Chas Hepler.
“Via Seating brings a renowned brand, innovative products, a solid market position and a strong company culture to the Flokk family. We see great opportunities for the Via Seating brand in this new setting, as we explore avenues to accelerate growth and leverage synergies in areas such as supply chain and engineering,” said Hepler.
With the acquisition of Via Seating, Flokk has added nine new brands to strengthen its portfolio over the past 10 years.
“Our two most recent acquisitions have taken place in the United States, and our revenue in the U.S. will now constitute almost 40 % of the total group. This is a deliberate strategy. The U.S. market is developing strongly, bolstered by the back-to-the-office trend. In the longer term, our expanding presence in the U.S. enhances our robustness across business cycles as various geographical markets often develop differently,” said Karlsrud.