WARREN, Mich., April 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Art Van Furniture is pleased to announce the formal integration of Art Van World of Floors as a wholly owned brand of the company. The announcement was made by Mr. Art Van Elslander, founder and chairman of Art Van Furniture, and Mr. Emil Pedick, founder, CEO and President of World of Floors.

"We have big plans for Art Van World of Floors, and I personally look forward to making it the number one flooring business in the markets we serve," said Van Elslander.

Art Van Furniture's agreement is to purchase the balance of the business interest previously held by Mr. Emil Pedick, who was 50 percent owner. World of Floors was founded in 1997 in Michigan and grew to 27 locations.  It is currently the largest flooring specialty chain in Michigan. "My vision with Art Van World of Floors was to create a store-within-a-store concept that leverages the marketing and customer base of a successful retail furniture operation. We accomplished that," said Pedick. Pedick expressed his sincere appreciation to Mr. Van for supporting the concept, and thanked all of the World of Floors associates for their loyalty during the past few years.

"I want to thank Emil for bringing Art Van Furniture into the flooring business and laying out the roadmap for our future success," said Van Elslander.

David Hendler will lead corporate and non-sales-related efforts at World of Floors, while Jim Hadjantoni will be responsible for in-store and shop at home sales activities. World of Floors headquarters will be relocated in the near future to an area west of Art Van Furniture's corporate campus on 14 Mile Road.

About Art Van Furniture
Art Van Furniture is the Midwest's largest furniture retailer and America's largest independent furniture retailer. The company operates 37 stores throughout Michigan, six stores in Chicagoland, one store in Toledo, Ohio, a full service e- commerce website, plus 40 freestanding Art Van PureSleep bedding stores in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. Founded in 1959, the company is family-owned and headquartered in Warren, Michigan. Visit artvan.com for more information.

SOURCE Art Van Furniture