Universal sets High Point move
By Jeff Linville -- Furniture Today, November 4, 2001
HIGH POINT — Universal Furniture is consolidating its headquarters and distribution center to a corporate park here.
The current distribution center in Morristown, Tenn., will close when the 345,000-square-foot High Point complex is completed late next summer.
The new facility in Eagle Hill Business Park at Piedmont Center is about 11 miles north of Universal's current headquarters and showroom on Uwharrie Road. Company officials like the new site's location just off N.C. 68 and four miles from Interstate 40.
The new headquarters will centralize company operations such as customer service, logistics, sales, finance and marketing, according to President Harvey Dondero.
"The consolidation of business services into one location benefits our retailers, which ultimately supports and drives sales at the consumer level," he said.
One factor in the move is that direct-container shipments have reduced the storage space Universal requires. The Tennessee center has about 400,000 square feet, while the new location will dedicate about 317,000 square feet to warehouse space. Another consideration is that Universal is leasing the Tennessee space, while the High Point location will be company-owned.
Universal will keep the Uwharrie Road showroom that it shares with BenchCraft. Dondero said the two companies share many of the same customers and have enjoyed a strong relationship for years.
The company will free up space at Uwharrie Road when it moves its offices to the new location. "We may expand our own showroom," Dondero said. "My guess is that we will have enough space to lease to a third tenant." He plans to look for other manufacturers that would be complementary to the products of BenchCraft, Universal and its Alexander Julian at Home line.
"With less time and more space to cover during the International Home Furnishings Market, we are certain retailers would value being able to do more business in one stop," he said.
Universal is owned by China-based Lacquer Craft, which bought the company three months ago from LifeStyle Furnishings International.
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