Camira Group Acquires Luna Textiles
Global textile innovator Camira continues to strengthen its presence in North America with acquisition of Luna Textiles.
Luna Textiles is a textile company based in San Francisco, founded in 1994 with a vision to introduce a new style to commercial interiors with its distinctive portfolio of patterned textiles, designed for the corporate, hospitality and healthcare markets.
Camira is an international textile designer and manufacturer, developing fabrics for the commercial contract industry and the mass passenger transportation market. The company makes more than 10 million yards of textiles annually, working with natural, recycled and synthetic fibers for its broad portfolio of fabrics.
Luna’s brand legacy comes from its founder, Anna Hernandez, who established the company as an industry leader in the commercial textile field through her creative design portfolio and company credentials, but also memorable marketing techniques which have led to several prestigious industry awards.
Luna has been an important innovator and contributor in the North American textile industry and the acquisition will only expand and strengthen Camira’s presence in the market, with a diverse product portfolio complementing Camira’s current offering of upholstery and panel fabrics.
Rune Akselberg, President of Camira’s North American operation, commented: “We are both humbled and excited about continuing the legacy of Anna Hernandez and Luna. We believe there is a strong synergy of values and sustainability initiatives between Camira and Luna and are very much looking forward to making Luna part of the Camira family.
“Luna Textiles will remain as an independent brand and will continue to sell its products through its network of sales representatives. The enhanced product portfolio combined with our operational strength and industry relations, will open up new opportunities for us and our customers – and at the same time continue the identity and passion Anna established within Luna.”
Michael Vanderbyl, designer and co-founder of Luna, overseeing the management of Luna Textiles since Anna passed away in 2016, commented: “Although a very emotional decision, we believe the presence of Luna as part of the Camira Group will continue to profile everything Anna built and embrace the legacy she created. We look forward to seeing Anna’s vision and ethos develop with Camira.
“It’s the right time and the right fit – and allows Luna to remain an integral part of the design community for a very long time.”
In recognition of the legacy of Anna Hernandez and her impact on the contract textiles industry in North America, Camira is delighted to donate an undisclosed sum to the IIDA Foundation’s Anna Hernandez/Luna Textiles Visionary Award, which recognizes and supports female business owners within the industry.
About Camira
Camira makes, designs and manufactures textiles, developing fabrics for the commercial contract industry– including offices, higher education, and hospitality, as well as for mass passenger transportation on bus, motorcoach, and rail.
Camira is a privately-owned UK textile group founded in 1974 as Camborne Fabrics, but its heritage goes back to 1783 through various acquisitions. For almost 10 years, the company was a subsidiary of Interface Inc. until a management buy-out in 2006. Today, Camira has annual sales of around $130 million and employs over 750 people. It manufactures more than 10 million yards of fabrics annually and markets them in over 80 countries.
Headquartered in the UK, the company’s North American operation is based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The company has manufacturing facilities in the UK and Lithuania, offices, distribution centers and showrooms in Europe, North America, Australia and China and a global network of sales representatives and distributors.
Camira has received numerous awards. The company has won five prestigious Queen’s Awards, including the Queen’s Award for Sustainable Development for the second time in 2015 and for International Trade in 2016.
The company has been a pioneer in its sustainable approach to textiles. Camira has been producing recycled fabrics for 20 years, as well as a number of textile collections using natural wool and harvested plant fibers, such as nettle, hemp and flax.
