Dorel Home Products

The story of Dorel Industries begins in 1962, when Leo Schwartz started a juvenile products company called Dorel Co. Ltd.. A few years later, in 1969, his sons Martin and Alan Schwartz, along with their brother-in-law Jeff Segel, founded Ridgewood Industries, a ready-to-assemble furniture business.. The two family-run businesses operated independently until 1987, when they merged to form Dorel Industries.. This event marked a turning point, as the newly formed entity went public through an Initial Public Offering (IPO) in July of the same year, raising capital to fuel its growth.. The company expanded its reach by entering the U.S. market and establishing operations in the U.K. in 1988.. A disciplined acquisition strategy defined the company's expansion, starting with the purchase of Cosco, Inc. in 1988, a move that significantly increased its footprint in both juvenile products and home furnishings in North America.. Over the years, Dorel grew into a global organization with distinct segments: Dorel Home, Dorel Juvenile, and, for a time, Dorel Sports.. In late 2020, a significant chapter unfolded when private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management led a buyer group to take Dorel Industries private.. This transition came as the company navigated changing market dynamics, particularly in its Home segment.. As of 2025, Dorel has been undergoing a major restructuring of its Dorel Home division to adapt to new industry realities..