PHILADELPHIA — Case goods and upholstery resource World Imports Ltd. has agreed to acquire the North American assets of case goods and upholstery resource Hamilton Spill (HK) Ltd., the companies announced today.

Officials did not disclose terms of the deal, which takes effect April 1.

World Imports President Marc Luber said the assets the company is acquiring include Hamilton Spill's North American customer base, active orders and inventory housed in Vietnam.

Meanwhile, Hamilton Spill will continue to focus on its international business outside the United States from its Hong Kong headquarters.

"We have known Marc and his family for years first as customers and most recently as respected competitors, and we are delighted with this transaction as they will continue to offer Hamilton Spill customers excellent service at exceptional values," Hamilton Spill President Mick Verjee said in a statement.

Verjee was unavailable for further comment.

Luber said the main attraction in the deal for World Imports is access to the Canadian market, which he estimated represents about 60% of Hamilton Spill's North American volume. He added that Hamilton Spill, which formerly was based in British Columbia, also has a strong presence on the West Coast.

"We are delighted with this opportunity, especially since Hamilton Spill has successfully served the North American furniture industry since 1963," Luber said. "

World Imports has more than one million square feet of warehouse facilities in Philadelphia and in Walls, Miss. Officials estimate that Hamilton Spill product will be warehoused domestically within six months. Hamilton Spill products currently ship container direct from Asia.

World Imports, which has its own source factories and quality control personnel in Asia, will gain access to Hamilton Spill's Asian sources for North American product.

"We get a number of new sources we didn't have before," Luber said. "They have good strong relationships with these factories and have good strong production, so it's good for us."

World Imports also will gain access to a climate-controlled warehouse in Vietnam that can house and mix product from multiple factories.

"Our infrastructure will improve," Luber said. "We want to take advantage of some of their back end efficiencies so that we can improve as well."

"At World Imports we are constantly looking for opportunities even in a tough retail climate," added Jeff Wallner, executive vice president. "This opportunity gives us access to a large customer base in Canada along with strengthening our overseas personnel. Our ultimate goal is to provide all our customers with great value, service and quality. This move will allow us to better meet that goal for existing and new customers in North America."

Luber said the plan for the immediate future is to keep both lines separate and marketed under their respective brand names. At the High Point Market, which runs April 2-7, each brand will continue to show new and existing product in their respective showrooms. World Imports is on the fourth floor of the National Furniture Mart and Hamilton Spill is in space 220 of Plaza Suites.

World Imports sells a lower middle priced line of bedroom and dining room furniture, occasional, home entertainment and upholstery. Hamilton Spill sells a mostly mid-priced line of upholstery, case goods and occasional, Luber said.

"There are a few similarities in the lines, but very little crossover product," he said. "They have a niche in full leather upholstery, which we really don't do. They also have some unique looks in bedroom and dining room that we can blend in with our own product line."

Hamilton Spill's North American business will be run from World Imports' headquarters in Philadelphia.

World Imports said it has retained Hamilton Spill employee Dirk Springman as vice president of sales for Canada and also has retained Gary Harmon, who will be responsible for upholstery merchandising.