Directional Furniture buying Carter Furniture assets

Carter's Salisbury, N.C., plant will close

Gary Evans -- Furniture Today, January 8, 2009

SALISBURY, N.C.— Upper-end contemporary upholstery specialist Carter Furniture is in the process of selling its assets to Directional Furniture and will close its manufacturing operations here.

The company said a letter of intent  has been signed with the closing to occur in due course. Production of the Carter line will be moved into Directional's facilities in Thomasville, N.C.

Carter President Bill Ward said the decision to sell the line came after a dramatic tightening of business over the last couple of months.

Ward said there "may be a short delay filling orders due to the movement of the manufacturing facilities" but major disruptions are not expected. Distribution and representation will remain the same for all customers, he added.

Ward did not specify his future plans.

About 85 employees will be affected by Carter's closing, although a few who live in the Thomasville area will retain their jobs. In addition, Directional will lease a frame operation in Denton, just south of Thomasville, which employs 18 people.

Directional also specializes in upper-end contemporary upholstery.