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Fogarty awarded honorary doctorate

CEO of Kindel Furniture

By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, June 14, 2005

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Kendall College of Art and Design has awarded an honorary doctorate to Robert S. Fogarty Jr., chairman and CEO of high-end manufacturer Kindel Furniture, citing his profound influence on the American furniture industry.

Fogarty has worked in the industry since the 1970s, when he led a turnaround at General Interiors, whose roster of companies included Pennsylvania House, Kittinger, Dumbar and Biggs. He joined Kindel in 1978, determined to bring “the level of product equal to the level of craftsmanship.”

By raising the complexity of product the manufacturer made, he secured licensing agreements with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Winterthur Museum and the Irish Georgian Society.

All Kindel product is made in Grand Rapids. “We have a duty to keep American craftsmanship vibrant and growing in the face of challenges,” said Fogarty. To that end, Kindel has worked with Kendall College and its students to help unite design and craftsmanship in the industry.

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Fogarty awarded doctorate

Jul 10, 2005

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