Safco® Products Company announced the acquisition of the assets of Focal™ Upright Furniture, LLC, a designer and manufacturer of award-winning, ergonomic office furniture. Through this acquisition, Safco is further expanding their Active Working product line.
Designed by Focal Upright’s founder Martin Keen, creator of KEEN® Footwear, Focal Upright products are focused on creating healthier working environments through active movement and ergonomic design. Their revolutionary leaning seats, standing desks and ergonomic accessories complement Safco’s standing and active seating products such as their well-known Zenergy™ Ball Chair and Muv™ Desks.
"The acquisition of Focal Upright allows Safco to further expand our product and knowledge base around the growing trend of Active Working,” said Paul Griffiths, Safco General Manager. "Bringing Focal Upright’s products into our line will build on Safco’s 50-year history of product innovation.”
With this addition, Safco is also launching their Safco® Active Collection. This collection brings together products that promote movement throughout the workday by standing, active sitting and perching. The products provide the tools to make healthy happen through small changes that add up to make a big impact on your work and life. As studies and news outlets continue to report the importance of movement throughout the workday, Safco Active is focused on providing solutions to keep user’s bodies actively engaged while keeping in mind how and where users work.
The collection will include products from Safco's current product line such as the Zenergy™ Ball Chair, Muv™ Desks, AlphaBetter® Desk and new addition Twixt™ Ergonomic Perch Chair. Focal Upright products will be included in the Safco Active Collection to create an extensive Active Working product line. Focal Upright products that will be included are their newly launched Pivot Seat, as well as Mogo, Mobis and Locus™ Seats.
"At Focal, we have been attempting to create an upright revolution that helps desk-bound workers tap into their full human potential,” said Martin Keen, CEO and Head Designer at Focal Upright. "We are thrilled to be partnering with a well-established brand like Safco, to build upon their rich history and tradition, while bringing creative and innovative solutions to the office seating industry."
Focal Upright products will continue to be sold under their brand name, while being added to the Safco Active Collection and sold through Safco's distribution networks. Additionally, Focal Upright will sell corresponding Safco Active products on their brand website. Focal Upright will continue to be based in Rhode Island. As both companies are privately held, purchase price was not disclosed.
"We are excited to have Focal Upright join the LDI Family,” said Mike Fiterman, CEO of Liberty Diversified International, the parent company of Safco. "Their commitment to well-being and innovation around how people can work better aligns with our core values, and will enhance the work Safco has been building over their 50-year history.”
Safco Active and Focal Upright products will be showcased in Safco's NeoCon showroom, 331, at the NeoCon® Furniture Show in Chicago on June 13-15, 2016. They will be giving away a Mogo Seat every 30 minutes to people who stop by their showroom.
About Safco Products
For 50 years, Safco has been providing the furniture and office products needed to make a workplace feel like a workplace. But we don't stop there. Our product offering includes seating (desk and guest), desks (sitting, standing, adjustable-height), organization (desktop organizers, filing, storage), presentation/training, ergonomics (backrests, footrests), work area (bookcases, printer stands), facility (wastebaskets, recycling) and educational solutions. Safco is a Liberty Diversified International company.
About Focal Upright
Focal Upright has earned a reputation for distinctive design and edgy innovation that make the company a thought leader in ergonomic furniture design. Led by Industrial Designer Martin Keen, founder of KEEN Footwear, the company creates products that encourage people and companies to break out of their sedentary work life, embrace their humanity, and add a little play to their day.
About Liberty Diversified International (LDI)
Liberty Diversified International is a privately-held family of businesses with approximately 1,500 employees operating in the following industries: Paper and packaging; furnishings and organization products for the office; and building and architectural products. With roots in the corrugated fiberboard business, the company was founded in 1918 and is headquartered in New Hope, MN.