Bermex, a Canadian furniture firm that specializes in solid wood dining furniture, storage furniture, bistro tables, and custom bar stools, has acquired Saloom Furniture, a privately owned company located in central Massachusetts, preserving 35 jobs and enabling U.S.-based production to avoid tariffs.

The acquisition comes as Saloom’s founders retire and the company faced potential closure. Operating for four decades near Boston, Saloom had recently laid off 20 workers and was actively seeking a buyer. Bermex will retain Saloom’s 15 current employees and plans to rehire the 20 recently laid-off workers.

Bermex owner Philippe Darveau emphasized the shared values between the two family-run businesses and the strategic value of the acquisition. “We would have made this acquisition with or without tariffs, but tariffs did provide us with urgency to act,” Darveau told Furniture Today. “Saloom’s presence on the market was going to disappear. We had to act fast.”

The acquisition enables Bermex to expand its North American manufacturing footprint. Beginning April 15, all Bermex and Saloom products sold to American buyers will be produced and finished in the U.S., while Canadian sales will be handled through Canadian facilities. This shift helps Bermex circumvent tariffs on cross-border finished goods.

“We’re thrilled to share this good news,” Darveau said. “This marks a new chapter for two great companies.”

While the two companies will operate independently, logistical coordination will change to align with the new cross-border production strategy. The Saloom brand will remain intact, with no immediate price increases planned for either brand’s customers.

Further investments are already underway. Darveau confirmed a $200,000 investment in a new paint booth at Saloom’s facility to accommodate Bermex products, due to differing finish requirements. Additional marketing investments are also planned.

Peter Saloom Jr., president of Saloom and son of founders Peter and Linda Saloom, will remain with the company during the transition phase.

The acquisition not only preserves a longstanding American brand but also strengthens Bermex’s U.S. market position at a time of increasing trade complexity between the U.S. and Canada.