Indiana's DIA closing
Carole Sloan -- Furniture Today, March 20, 2005
Jasper, Ind. — Occasional and dining furniture maker Design Institute America will cease production at the end of this week.
DIA is closing "because of current economic pressures, including increased overseas competition, escalating steel costs and a shrinking customer base," said President Neil Frindel. "Unfortunately, it has become apparent that providing quality American-made product, at a reasonable price, delivered on time, is no longer economically feasible."
Founded in 1972, DIA was a design-driven producer of steel furniture for wall units, occasional, extension dining tables and chairs, and curios at moderately high price points with an edgy, contemporary flair.
The customer base has dwindled partly because of bankruptcies and retail consolidation. Materials costs have risen because of global economic pressures, said Vice President Marty Smith, adding, "The Chinese buying U.S.-made steel primarily for construction purposes drove up the price of steel to non-competitive levels."
Frindel said the company is shutting down in an orderly manner. "The last two weeks have been spent producing merchandise against our customers' sold orders as much as possible," he said.
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DIA to close operations
Mar 18, 2005
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