Longtime houseware industry leader Terry Crawford, founder and CEO of Conimar Group, passed away on July 27. He was 80.
Crawford founded Conimar in July of 1976, launching the Ocala, FL-based supplier of gift-oriented housewares, tabletop, and home décor at the Chicago Housewares Show (now The Inspired Home Show).
Crawford spearheaded Conimar’s vast product expansion for 50 years. Conimar focuses on U.S-made products in a range of materials — including coasters, trivets, placemats, decorative signs, drinkware, counter savers, and cutting boards and mats — produced at the company headquarters in Ocala and at a facility in Springfield, TN. The company markets products under such brands as Thirstystone, Highland Home, CounterArt and Chop-Chop…