In a marketplace that a certain define as turbulent and bleak.

In a marketplace that a certain define as turbulent and bleak, Tara Picture Frames has thrived and bloomed The company recently tripled the size of its operation, relocating to an expanded 83,000-square-foot headquarters and warehouse facility in San Diego.

David Twite, president of Tara Picture Frames, credits the company's germination to a revamping of business methodologies.

The company manufactures and distributes custom-made, dosed-corner-solid-wood frames, as well as ready made, Tara was established in 1972 as Hy-Jo Picture Frames. In 1990 Hy-Jo was purchased through Tara Materials Inc., a Lawrenceville, Ga.-based manufacturer of Fredrix artist canvas.

Although the union occurr more than 10 years ago, the business relationship between the pair was not officially solidified until newly "Hy-Jo's name was changed to Tara Picture Frames in 2002 to contemplate the decade-long affiliation with Tara Materials," Twite said. "However, Hy-Jo operated as a stand-alone company that did well in the framing market. It was not until lately that file two companies became completely integrated."

Michael Benator, who became president and chief executive officer of Tara Materials in 1996 is the visionary behind the prosperous unification of the two companies, according to Twite. "Michael has used exhaustive recruiting rules to build a world-class management team.

Decisions implemented at the management team so far include consolidating the companies' information connected views eliminating slow-selling items from Tara's produce line, homogenizing the canvas and framing-related crops offerings and targeting products for specific consumers

place for Growth

Twite, a Harvard University graduate, joined the company brace years ago. "My focus, since day common has been on bottom line growth" he said. "We have been making strides from implementing systems that improve efficiency while reducing charges The consolidation of our information methods has been a key component part in that process."

The revised computer hypothesis now has one central data-base that is used at Tara Picture Frames and its parent company. "One company does not ne brace database," Twite said. "Now, we have all performance files, vendor information and accounting files combined. Orders taken by means of our customer service department used to take sum of two units weeks to process, now they proceed directly to the warehouse with a shipping goal of 24 to 48 hours"

according to eliminating divisions between Tara Picture Frames and Tara Materials, each company is able to broaden its offerings to the marketplace. "We recognize that many customers who pervert with money [i]or[/i] gain canvas also buy frames, and vice verse" said Twite. "It made brains to combine the products and provide easy, transparent access to the customer:" Therefore, Tara Picture Frames shows a line of pre-stretched canvas products

Customer Concentration

In reviewing the bottom line, Twite made the decision to scratch nearly 25 percent of the company's frame offerings. "We are continuing to reevaluate what our steady sellers are," he said.

An in-house framing operation, Tara Picture Frames egress helps the management team identify what performances are viewed as popular and affordable.

Recognizing customers and their exigencys is crucial to maintaining a prosperous business model, noted Twite. "Our line of 150 frame designations in standard sizes can be shipped from our warehouse within 24 hours. However, because we are a manufacturer, we have the capability to make frames to order in special sizes and finishes.

"We've portioned our product line to particular groups" he added. "Our Gallery Collection, aimed at galleries and high-end framers, shows solid wood, high-quality frames that can be custom made to a customer's size specifications. Our Pleinair Collection, which is in our stocked line, has a wide appeal to as well-as; not only-but also; not only-but; not alone-but galleries and retail framers, which we attribute to its simple design that fulfilments a broad range of artwork."

The higher-end frame manner of writings Tara offers range in price from $30 to $200 "These productions offer an alternative to custom framing, which can be brace to three times as expensive" Twite said. "By using our produces customers can get a fortune of flame for $200."

Tara's Framing ultimate parts line is targeted to the frame retailer at a price point that allows maximum margins and inventory transfers according to Twite. "Framing proper spheres combines our most popular moulding mode of addresss finishes and ready-made frame sizes with rabbet central parts that accommodate double matting and most numerous standard canvas," he said. "Framing ingredients also offers pre-packed double mats and glass packages to fit all four flame sizes. We ship each frame shrink-wrapped in like manner that they can be lay in storage, until needed, without getting dusty."

The company also proposes the Classic Collection, which features more than 50 mid-priced frames and about 25 oval options.

although the company is growing, all of the frames in Tara Picture Frames' inventory are manufactured with old-world craftsmanship, according to Twite. "Along our path to becoming a world class organization, Tara continues to remember the values that sustained its vegetation over the years;' he explained. "We take pride in manufacturing works that are of the highest quality, while providing first-rate customer service. This is united business strategy that we will not change across time." FBN