Palliser Furniture changes hands after 8 decades of local ownership

Palliser Furniture has been acquired by MotoMotion, a designer and manufacturer of furniture and furniture components headquartered in China.

Palliser says it will remain based in Winnipeg, where its corporate office will continue to serve as a centre for product development, design, marketing, sales, customer service and brand leadership.

The deal took effect on May 29. No terms were disclosed.

The transaction does not include EQ3 or its Canadian manufacturing operations, which will continue to operate independently under separate ownership, leadership and management.

Peter Tielmann, president and CEO of Palliser’s parent company, Palliser Holdings Ltd., was not available for an interview Wednesday. In a statement to the Free Press, he described MotoMotion as “a long-standing supplier (and) strategic partner” that has worked closely with Palliser for more than 10 years.

“This transaction is the natural progression of a long-standing partnership and creates new opportunities to strengthen and grow the Palliser brand,” Tielmann said.

“MotoMotion has been a trusted partner for many years, and we share a common vision for the future of the business. Their global scale, manufacturing expertise and commitment to innovation will provide the resources needed to strengthen the brand and support long-term growth.”

Palliser Furniture was locally owned from the time it was founded in 1944 by Abram Albert DeFehr until the sale to MotoMotion. Over the last eight decades, the company has built a reputation for quality craftsmanship and design excellence.

Meanwhile, MotoMotion is a leader in the motion furniture industry. The publicly traded company has manufacturing operations across Vietnam, China and Cambodia, and employs more than 7,000 people, Tielmann said.

Additionally, the company has maintained a “significant” North American operating platform for more than a decade, including sales, marketing, customer service, logistics, warehousing and parts distribution operations throughout the United States.

This infrastructure will further strengthen Palliser’s ability to serve customers and retail partners across North America, Tielmann said.

MotoMotion did not respond to multiple interview requests.

Over the last decade, MotoMotion has become one of the most visible players in motion furniture, particularly through its integration of premium audio systems, immersive entertainment features and technology-driven upholstery, according to media reports.

MotoMotion’s parent company generated approximately 3.38 billion yuan (nearly $700 million) in revenue during 2025, an increase of more than 30 per cent from the prior year.

Net profits exceeded 850 million yuan ($175 million).

At its peak, Palliser had more than 3,500 workers in Winnipeg, making it the largest private-sector employer in the city at the time.

In January, Tielmann told the Free Press that Palliser employs 2,000 people, about 1,400 of whom work at its Mexico site.

That month, Palliser announced a new president. Cary Benson returned to the role after previously serving as president and CEO from 2010 to 2017.

aaron.epp@freepress.mb.ca