Coming off a flat 2000, multititle cataloger Miles Kimball plans to close the South Norwalk, CT, merchandising and creative offices of its Exposures picture frames and gifts catalog. Miles Kimball will move those functions to its Oshkosh, WI, headquarters.
Exposures’ Connecticut office, which employs 14 people, will be closed by the end of the year; only founder/president Randy Bourne will continue with Miles Kimball, and that will be as a consultant to help with the transition.
“We’ve had a trying season, so we’re consolidating all operations to Oshkosh,” says Miles Kimball president Mike Muoio. “We gave the option to some Exposures people to relocate, not all,” but none chose to make the move. “We remain excited about the Exposures catalog,” Muoio adds, “and believe that it continues to have a very bright future and unique position in the catalog marketplace.” Miles Kimball bought Exposures in 1992.
Bourne points out that Exposures’ sales for the first half of this year have been 15%-20% ahead of last year’s pace and slightly ahead of plan. Bourne describes his transition work as “very short term, although it’s still being worked out.”