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Elmira Stove Works Aqcuired By Plaintree Systems, Now Under Leadership Of David Watson

David Watson

After acquiring Elmira Stove Works, Plaintree Systems CEO David Watson is working tirelessly toward taking the brand to new heights. Watson, a newcomer to the kitchen appliance industry, wishes to continue the brand’s leading edge in the retro-inspired appliance space.

When Watson first came across Elmira Stove Works in 2013, he was impressed by the eye-catching designs that looked like they were from the 1950s. For a classic car enthusiast, the midcentury modern kitchen appliance recreations were enough to put an idea in motion. His passion for running niche market businesses drew him to the Elmira Stove Works brand. In the following days, Watson tracked down the owners and let them know he was interested in buying the company if they ever wanted to sell. In 2021, the call that Watson had been waiting on for nearly a decade came through, and David Watson welcomed Elmira Stove Works into the Plaintree Systems family.

Before the “Plaintree is always looking for interesting and profitable manufacturing opportunities,” said David Watson, CEO of Plaintree Systems Inc. “When I came across the Elmira line in 2013, I immediately reached out and told them if they ever wanted to sell the company, call me first. Eight years later, I got the call. I am reminded of Victor Kiam, who famously said about Remington Shavers in the 1970s, ‘I loved the product so much we bought the company!’. The Elmira Stove Works acquisition aligns perfectly with our existing manufacturing capacity. Elmira has been a family run company for nearly fifty years, and the quality and uniqueness of their lines impresses even an experienced aerospace guy like me.”

The company’s corporate headquarters – along with manufacturing of its Northstar, Heritage and Fireview lines – has relocated to Plaintree’s state-of-the-art 135,000 square foot facility in Arnprior, Ontario, conveniently located 75 minutes from the U.S. border. The company will retain a sales office in Elmira and will have showrooms in both Elmira and Arnprior.

“This is like selling my child,” commented Elmira Stove Works founder, outgoing CEO and shareholder Tom Hendrick. “We had a number of suitors, but the enthusiasm from David along with the Plaintree team’s commitment to excellence convinced us that Elmira is passing into the right hands.”

Elmira’s products are all about precise fit and finish. Plaintree is an AS 9100D company, a quality certification that is significantly more difficult to attain than the ISO quality standard.

Noted Brian Hendrick, Elmira Stove Works departing President and shareholder, “David and his companies demonstrated to us that their experience in manufacturing everything from aerospace to mining domes would allow them to easily move production into their Arnprior location. Plaintree’s manufacturing capacity and resources, and strong focus on quality, will allow Elmira to continue to grow for years to come.”

Elmira’s sales and marketing infrastructure will remain to ensure Elmira maintains the dealer and consumer focus that has made the company successful. The marketing plan includes rebranding the company and its products, a new website, and enhanced online and instore customer experiences.

 

See also: ‘Real Housewives of NJ’ Star Has Designed Your New Outdoor Kitchen

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