Decorize backlog hits $5 million

Springfield-based Decorize Inc., which enables large and small retailers to direct source home decor items from the Far East, announced earlier this month that its in-house orders have increased 66 percent, to $5 million, since October 2001. According to a Decorize press release, that amount represents a record for the company.

"In this tight economy, retailers are seeking the most cost-effective methods to grow their bottom line. Decorize continues to enjoy success by offering in-creased value to both small and large retailers," said Jon Baker, chief executive officer of Dec-orize.

Baker credited the company's value-driven business model and its sales team with the milestone. "Our primary goal is to fully integrate our brands Faith Walk and GuildMaster and pursue additional acquisitions to provide our revenue streams the environment to ac-celerate at a significant pace," Baker added.

Decorize also announced second-quarter revenues of $3,775, 908 a 28 percent increase compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2002. According to a separate news release, the company reported $120,960 of net in-come before taxes, excluding a one-time stock compensation expense of $230,985 in the second quarter of fiscal 2002. For the six months ended Dec. 31, Decorize reported revenues of $6,714,647.

"We are extremely pleased to continue our top-line growth trend and anticipate bottom-line improvements over the next six months," Baker said. Baker added that the company ob-tained orders from significant national retailers, in addition to fulfilling orders for repeat customers. He said the company is confident that it will meet its year-end revenue projections of about $14.5 million.