Poulsbo’s Watson Furniture Group recently announced its acquisition of Ontario, Calif.-based JB Engineering (JBE), a leading manufacturer of user-adjustable office furniture with a dedicated following in the health and safety community.
   The acquisition could mean as many as two-dozen new jobs at the company’s multi-use facility at Twelve Trees Industrial Park when the JBE operations are consolidated early next year.
   Watson manufactures and distributes freestanding office furniture through its Watson Desking Division and its Watson Dispatch Division is the world’s leading supplier of console furniture for 9-1-1 emergency communications centers. The new acquisition will operate as “JB Engineering – a division of the Watson Furniture Group.”
   “This acquisition is a remarkable blending of similar visions and capabilities between our two companies,” notes Clif McKenzie, president of Watson Furniture Group. “From the very beginning, we saw a great opportunity to accelerate the growth of both businesses while taking advantage of some attractive manufacturing synergies.”
   There are many similarities between the two companies — both are respected manufacturers with more than 40 years of experience in the furniture industry and are known for products that are designed and engineered to last a lifetime. Both companies are expert at manufacturing adjustable furniture, and both are known for their ability and willingness to modify standard products to suit customer needs.
   JBE’s substantial sheet metal equipment and processes will significantly augment Watson’s advanced design, woodworking, powdercoat, and tubular steel fabrication capabilities.
    “Another goal in this acquisition is to diversify our revenue base through expansion into a third distribution channel,” noted McKenzie. “JBE’s well-established network of health, safety, and ergonomic specialists complements our existing channels very effectively.”
   Over the next several months, JBE’s Ontario operations will be re-located into Watson’s Twelve Trees facility, known as “the Orchard.” Watson currently employs over 100 people and will grow substantially as a result of the acquisition.
   In 2002, the company was one of six in the state to receive the Governor’s Award for Pollution Prevention and Sustainable Practices. For more information on the Watson Furniture Group, visit www.watsonfurniture.com.