Berkline and Brunswick Billiards Partner To Create Home Theater Seating

Furniture World News

Berkline and Brunswick announced that they are teaming to create a new line of home theater seating for Brunswick that represents the company’s introduction into this fast growing home entertainment category. “Home theater seating is the most exciting and explosive growth segment in upholstered furniture today,” said Grey Hunsucker, Berkline vice president and national sales manager. “Dedicated rooms with flat screen TVs and upscale video equipment are becoming commonplace in the housing market both in new construction and remodeling.” Installed home theaters and multi-room audio systems are expected to grow from $6 billion in 2007 to more than $11 billion in 2012, according to Parks Associates. “We know home entertainment,” said Debbie Groshek, managing director, Brunswick Billiards. “The home seating category is an ideal fit for Brunswick’s dealers and customers.” Three home theater seating styles will be built by Berkline for Brunswick. Two versions will be contemporary styling, the third a transitional model. Prices will start at $1,249 MSRP per seat and will be available for shipment in early summer 2008. The product was unveiled and received enthusiastically April 22 at Brunswick’s Business Enrichment Conference. The conference is an annual convention of Brunswick’s dealer network, which will sell the product in Brunswick’s more than 300 dealer locations throughout the United States and Canada. The product will also be available for purchase through Brunswick’s Web site, www.brunswickbilliards.com. The Berkline-Brunswick home theater seating partnership combines Berkline’s reputation and depth of manufacturing experience with Brunswick’s extensive marketing expertise, brand name recognition and strong dealer network. “Berkline is by far the largest producer of home theater seating in the industry,” said Hunsucker. “Our history of success in this product line was a major factor in bringing Berkline and Brunswick together. “Our partnership with Brunswick is a tangible example of Berkline’s focus on staying on the leading edge of industry innovation and creativity.” Hunsucker added that Brunswick’s dealers will be a key factor in the success of the new line. “The Brunswick retail format is exciting,” he said. “The company’s dealers create an experience for the consumer, and their sales associates are well trained and knowledgeable of their products. We believe Brunswick’s desire to enter this new business coupled with their proven marketing capabilities and Berkline’s strength in the home theater seating category are winning formulas for all parties.” About Berkline: Berkline has been a leading manufacturer of reclining furniture for more than 75 years. Berkline specializes in motion, home theater, and upholstered furnishings. The company’s headquarters is in Morristown, TN. For more information about Berkline and its products, please visit www.berkline.com About Brunswick: For more than 160 years, Brunswick Billiards has been the leader in designing the highest quality pool tables and game room furnishings with a standard of superior craftsmanship and preferred by experts around the world. Based in Bristol, Wis., the billiards division of Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC) has more than 300 retail dealer locations across the United States and international distributors in more than 40 countries. For more information about Brunswick Billiards and its product line, visit www.brunswickbilliards.com.