Projo Biz Blog

Crimzon Rose, a jewelry company based in North Providence, plans to add 60 jobs in the state. The additional jobs are the result of Crimzon Rose acquiring a Florida company, Erica Lyons, Inc.

Felix Porcaro, CEO of Crimzon Rose, said the company bought Erica Lyons earlier this month for an undisclosed sum. Porcaro said Susan Lyons, creative force behind Erica Lyons, Inc, and a staff of about 30 will remain in Florida. The distribution and warehouse operation in Florida will close down, and those functions transferred to Rhode Island. About 75 former Erica Lyons employees in Florida were laid off.

Porcaro said Crimzon Rose plans to hire about 25 people for its design and office staff, and between 30 and 40 in warehousing and distribution. Porcaro said that even though
Erica Lyons will have its own office and design staff in Florida, Crimzon Rose's business is expanding enough to require more employees in Rhode Island. To contact the company, go to the Crimzon Rose Web site.

Porcaro said Crimzon Rose now employs about 100 people in Rhode Island, divided between the main office in North Providence and the warehouse and distribution center in Lincoln. Most of the jewelry is manufactured in China, and Crimzon Rose has about 100 full-time employees in that country.

Porcaro said Crimzon Rose supplies jewelry to "big box" retailers such as Wal-Mart, K-Mart, and Kohls, with retail prices between $3 and $20. Erica Lyons sells to more upscale department stores , where the retail prices range from $20 to $60. Porcaro said the combined companies have annual gross revenues of about $90 million a year, about $54 million from Crimzon Rose and $36 million from Erica Lyons.

 Tags  Crimzon Rose Erica Lyons Felix Porcaro jewelry

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