Ed Gerken steps down as Norwalk chairman
By Gary Evans -- Furniture Today, January 14, 2002
NORWALK, Ohio — Ed Gerken, chairman of upholstery producer and store franchiser Norwalk Furniture Corp., has resigned to pursue opportunities outside the company. His resignation was effective Jan. 1.
Gerken joined the family business in 1975. He was president from 1985 through 1997 and chairman since 1987.
Norwalk President Jim Gerken will assume the role of chairman, the company said. Bill Gerken remains president of the company's retail and franchising operations.
Under Ed Gerken's leadership, Norwalk ventured into retail franchising in the late 1980s. Currently there are more than 80 Norwalk—The Furniture Idea stores that distribute the company's products nationally. About a dozen are company owned.
In 1991, Norwalk purchased the assets of Corson Furniture Inds. to form Hickory Hill Furniture, a producer of midpriced upholstered furniture.
"Whatever success the company enjoyed during my leadership was the result of the ideas, energy, enthusiasm and hard work of all its employees," Gerken said. "I've enjoyed giving something back to an industry that has given so much to me. The people in this industry are what make it so rewarding."
Gerken was active in industry organizations and served on the board and executive committee of the American Furniture Manufacturers Assn. He has been chairman of the Upholstered Furniture Action Council, leading the industry's effort to make furniture that is more resistant to cigarette-ignited fires.
He also served on the board and was president of the American Furniture Hall of Fame. His uncle, Jack Gerken, and grandfather, Ray Gerken, are both Hall of Fame inductees.
Norwalk, a private company that has been closely held by the Gerken family for four generations, is celebrating its centennial this year. The company makes and markets residential upholstery under the Norwalk, J. Raymond and Hickory Hill names to independent dealers and Norwalk stores in the United States and Canada.
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