SHELBY — There’s a new household name in closets.
At least, Cooper Enterprises product manager Bryson Friebel hopes so. Cooper Enterprises officially launched its closet organizing system in August at the International Wood Fair in Atlanta, Georgia.
“We are excited to be entering the $60 billion closet market with our new division, Design Solutions by Cooper, as part of our strategic plan,” said Cooper Enterprises President Mike Murray.
“We have positioned our closet system to perform well in the marketplace by offering a modular design that is quick and easy to install. Our customers will receive a high-quality product with color offerings that are the latest trends in the design world, at a reasonable price.”
It is the first residential product from Design Solutions by Cooper, a new residential product line.
“We wanted an easy-to-use, modular design so a client can customize what they need on height, accessories and more,” Friebel said.
Design Solutions offers three different heights within the closet system as well as hanging units, shoe racks and drawers.
“The homeowner should be able to move things around, add or upgrade their systems down the road as well,” Friebel said. “And it’s very easy to install for professionals or even do-it-yourself customers.”
Cooper Enterprises started in 1965 as a wood and laminated components contract manufacturer. It has about 80 employees at its Shelby location. Cooper earned an economic impact award from the Richland Area Chamber in 2021.
Business partners Walter Friebel, Gerald Friebel and Dan Cooper passed the business down to Monty and Edward Friebel in 1998. Cooper started in components, parts and pieces and upgraded machinery to start assembly and lamination work.
“As time went on, we realized one market we aren’t in is the residential market, so we wanted to get into that market through an innovative idea like this,” said Jerry Truex, Cooper Enterprises director of sales and marketing.
Truex said prototypes and installations for Closet Systems by Cooper started about two years ago.
“We installed it in a vacation property down in Tennessee and the owners are extremely happy with the system,” he said. “The quality speaks for itself.”
Closet Systems by Cooper available for residential & commercial customers
Cooper Enterprises has customers across the country and a few international clients. Design Solutions by Cooper is starting marketing for its closet system at the local level and Truex said the company plans to expand to larger cities and eventually across the country.
Customers have the opportunity to use an online configurator allowing them to add measurements of their own space and choose between a walk-in or reach-in closet system.
Then, they can choose the color of the closet body and drawers, as well as custom heights of different components and accessories.
Design Solutions is partnering with contractors and distributors for the closet system. A homeowner can contact Cooper Enterprises for a list of Design Solutions’ local dealers if they want to buy the system for themselves. Contractors can install the system professionally, or homeowners can try it themselves.
The quality-made thermally fused laminate (TFL) closet systems are available in five colors and feature dowel-and-fastening assembly that Truex said makes for easy assembly and installation.
“Solutions like this can help homeowners customize their spaces and stay within their budget,” he said.
Truex also noted the closet systems are designed to be flexible.
“Let’s say you put this in a kids’ room and when they grow up and move out, you want to make it a den,” he said. “You can add drawers, or you can move it to a pantry for food storage.”
Homeowners or interested disturbing partners can contact Design Solutions at sales@cooperenterprises.com or at 419-347-5232 extension 240.
