Design, remodeling supplier announces expanded services with acquisition

SARASOTA — Florida Design Works has expanded its platform and services through the acquisition of Kirkplan Kitchens. Financial terms of the deal weren't disclosed. 

Kirkplan has three showrooms throughout Manatee and Sarasota counties. The acquisition allows Design Works to offer direct-to-consumer kitchen, bath, and outdoor home improvement. Additionally, the design, planning, permitting, demolition, construction and implementation all will be handled by one team, according to a statement. 

Ian Gallie, Kirkplan’s owner and president, will stay on in an advisory role. The company’s VP of sales and operations, Nigel Jackson, will assume an ownership stake and continue to manage day to day operations. The Kirkplan business will continue to run uninterrupted during the ownership change.

“Our team has been assisting designers, contractors, builders and remodelers with tile, countertop, cabinetry and window décor products for 50 years,” says David Koffman, an owner of Design Works, in the press release. “This business is the lifeblood of our organization. To grow our direct-to-consumer business, it was important not to compromise our B-to-B relationships.”

To that point, Koffman says that while Kirkplan will serve as the consumer division for the business, Design Works will continue serving business partners and clients. The release states the two divisions will work collaboratively while also protecting partner relationships.

“Kirkplan Kitchens has been helping homeowners in Sarasota and Manatee Counties for decades. Their experience is unmatched in the design, quotation, and implementation of kitchen and bathroom remodels,” says Jeffrey Koffman, also a Design Works owner. “The two divisions will run independently but harmoniously. The real benefit will be behind the scenes where the divisions can integrate technologies, benefit from economies of scale, and provide wholesale buying leverage.”

Kirkplan recently built a flagship showroom located on Cattleman Road in Sarasota. 

“No one in the area has a showroom like ours. We have taken great lengths to create a visually pleasing experience, but one that also is efficient and consumer friendly,” says Jackson in the release. “While our sales process begins in the home with measuring and design, the showroom is critical to helping a customer see the product as a finished room.”

The release says Florida Design Works has seen strong sales numbers coming out of the pandemic across its entire footprint, including the Sarasota, Tampa, Fort Myers, Naples, Jacksonville and Miami offices. But like many others, the company has been struggling with increased freight costs, slow delivery times due to supply chain issues, and lack of product inventory due to high demand. 

The Sarasota-based company provides kitchen, bath and home remodeling solutions and products in tile, natural stone, custom cabinetry, countertops, shutters, shades and more. The team works with builders, designers, contractors and homeowners.