Nemschoff Inc., a Sheboygan-based furniture manufacturer for the health care industry, is launching strategic partnerships with Spring Lake, Mich.-based Izzydesign, an office furniture and seating manufacturer, and Madison-based Playscapes Inc., a designer of play activity centers for children used in health care facilities.
The partnerships allow Nemschoff to sell and distribute products from both companies, said Paul Nemschoff, vice president of sales and chief operating officer.
“From an offensive standpoint, this gives us more opportunities to work with our customers,” he said. “Their (Izzydesign and Playscapes) product portfolios fit in well with what we provide. And from a defensive standpoint, it prevents some of the office furniture companies from getting into our areas.”
The agreement with Izzydesign is being finalized now, and Nemschoff should begin selling their products by June 1. A separate agreement with Playscapes is complete.
Because Nemschoff’s products are usually sold to hospitals, clinics and other health care facilities, the company is often asked to provide office products, making Izzydesign a natural partner for the firm.
“As the landscape in the health care and office furniture industries evolves, we see this alliance as an effective way to present our customers with a more comprehensive portfolio of complementary product designs,” said Mark Nemschoff, president and chief executive officer of Nemschoff.
Both partnerships came about because of requests from customers, Paul Nemschoff said.
“They’ve told us to recommend what is good, because they trust us,” he said.
Partnerships with other manufacturers is part of Nemschoff’s growth strategy, Paul Nemschoff said, and the company is exploring other options.
“We’re committed to maintaining and growing what we manufacture,” he said. “We have more stuff in the R&D hopper than ever before. We’re excited about everything we’re working on, and where there are good opportunities and partnerships, we will work with other organizations and distribute their products.”
