Whereas different firms are taking an financial hit through the COVID-19 pandemic, one Fresno-based producer says it’s experiencing a lift in enterprise.
Duncan Enterprises, a number one maker of arts and crafts, has seen “very important progress” in its line of do-it-yourself merchandise from portray kits to tie dye provides, mentioned Duncan Enterprises Chairman, Larry Duncan.
Whereas Duncan sympathizes with firms struggling by way of the pandemic, the general public well being order to shelter in place hasn’t slowed down his 74-year-old firm, prefer it has with some companies.
In reality, extra individuals staying at dwelling through the pandemichas confirmed to be one of many drivers within the rising demand of the corporate’s arts and craft merchandise.
“Individuals have been in search of stuff to do and they’re turning to crafts, like tie dye,” mentioned Duncan, who represents the third technology of the household enterprise. “Individuals are shopping for these kits like loopy. And going ahead we imagine they are going to proceed to be sturdy sellers.”
Duncan mentioned the corporate, which bought its begin promoting ceramic glazes, is a prime vendor of tie dye kits within the U.S. It’s firm headquarters is positioned on Shields Avenue simply east of Clovis Avenue.
Latest enterprise developments, layoffs
Duncan mentioned that in 1982 when he turned president of the corporate, one hundred pc of its enterprise was ceramic arts. Now, it’s a little lower than 10 p.c.
“We have to concentrate on the long run and the place now we have the best strengths,” Duncan mentioned. “We additionally must work to help our main retailers.”
So as to bolster its place within the DIY (do-it-yourself) market, Duncan mentioned the corporate just lately made a strategic transfer to promote elements of its portfolio, together with Duncan Ceramic Arts, Chesapeake Ceramics and Coloration Me Mine.
Twist Manufacturers L.L.C., a Louisiana based mostly artwork and leisure firm, bought Chesapeake Ceramics and Coloration Me Mine whereas Mayco Colours, an Ohio-based producer, has taken over Duncan Ceramic Arts. The phrases of the sale weren’t disclosed.
Though Duncan mentioned his firm has fared fairly effectively through the pandemic, that doesn’t imply there hasn’t been heartache.
He additionally acknowledged the pandemic performed a job within the firm promoting a few of its traces, because the wants of customers modified on account of COVID-19.
Living proof, Duncan mentioned the pandemic slowed gross sales of its magnificence product line as ladies weren’t going out as a lot because of the shutdown of eating places and different leisure venues.
Duncan at present employs about 140 individuals. As a result of the corporate bought a few of its product traces, about 15 workers went to work for the brand new firms whereas 34 individuals have been laid off.
“That is likely one of the worst choices an proprietor has to make,” Duncan mentioned. “However when you’re making strategic choices which can be in the most effective curiosity of the remaining workforce, it’ll negatively affect some workers. That was a really emotional resolution.”
Duncan Enterprises is the father or mother firm to family manufacturers like Tulip, Aleene’s and ColorShot. These are bought at quite a lot of retailers like Walmart , Residence Depot, Michael’s, Walgreens and Goal.
The corporate additionally bought its magnificence merchandise line often called Duncan Cosmetics. The manufacturers embrace the Lique, Tattoo Junkee, Remi Rose and BE Magnificence Necessities manufacturers, which have been bought to the Los Angeles-based HatchBeauty Manufacturers.
“When my grandmother Erma Duncan began our household enterprise 74 years in the past, her mission was to supply a joyful and artistic expertise to ceramics clients,” mentioned Duncan.
“I sit up for seeing our legacy ceramics companies proceed ahead with the management of two very succesful firms in Mayco Colours and Twist Manufacturers.”
A Valley native, Robert has labored at The Fresno Bee since 1994, masking varied matters together with training, enterprise and agriculture. He at present covers courts.
