HOLLY SPRINGS, NC — Highly successful in the office and educational furniture market, OFM co-founders Abel and Barbara Zalcberg have set their sights on another arena — hockey.

In November, the Zalcbergs’ Hurricanes Investment LLC became one of 10 new ownership partners of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes. OFM CEO Abel Zalcberg said the transition from season ticket holder Hurricanes fan to owner was a natural one. “Like OFM, the Hurricanes are a start-up that’s done incredibly well in a short period of time. Since moving to North Carolina in 1997, they’ve become a powerhouse, surprising everyone by winning the 2006 Stanley Cup and becoming the first Tar Heel team to take home a major league championship.

“We couldn’t be prouder to be part of their team,” he added.

It has already proven to be a win-win situation, as the Zalcbergs have been able to use their knowledge of the furniture industry to help the team. For example, one cost-savings move recommended by Zalcberg was to reupholster the RBC Center seating, which was otherwise in good condition, with anti-microbial easily, cleaned vinyl, rather than perform a more expensive replacement of entire seats.

Seating is something Zalcberg knows well. In addition to chairs, OFM offers tables, desks, workstations/cubicles and storage items. Founded in 1995, the Holly Springs, NC-based company also has operations in Phoenix, AZ, and Taiwan. OFM also contracts with manufacturers in Mexico, Taiwan and China. The company is a past winner of Triangle Business Journal’s Fast 50 award, which recognizes fast-growing businesses in the area.

OFM also made news last year with the installation of a 250 kW solar farm on the roof of its headquarters. With that, came the creation of ABCZ Solar LLC, a solar power company that sells electricity to Progress.

As an office furniture manufacturer, solar power supplier and now professional hockey team owner, Zalcberg joked that he has created “our own version of a hat trick.”

Zalcberg credits his son Blake, OFM COO, for his overseeing of the business and allowing Abel and Barbara, OFM president, the opportunity to diversify their interests. In addition to their philanthropic endeavors and the solar farm, the Zalcbergs have a partnership in a land development company in Holly Springs and Clayton, NC, and own and manage a charter jet company, Fly Private LLC, in Raleigh, NC.