Log In   |  Register Free Newsletter Subscription
Skip navigation
Zibb
Subscribe to Furniture Today
Resource Center graphic
RSS
Reprints/License
Print
Email

No end in sight for Ashley's growth

Jay McIntosh -- Furniture Today, February 19, 2006

Is there a ceiling on Ashley's expansion? Not that its top management can see.

The company continues to invest in its plants and its distribution system — over $100 million last year alone — and has a crew of executives who are comfortable with growth and change.

Last year, Ashley announced it was looking for a Southeastern site, probably in North Carolina or Virginia, for another upholstery factory and distribution center of about 1.2 million square feet. Chairman Ron Wanek said there's also a possibility that a 300,000-square-foot case goods production facility will be added to the project, expected to open in 2008.

Ashley has plants and distribution centers at seven other U.S. sites, plus an upholstery plant in China. It sold a case goods plant in Brazil last year after owning it for five years.

Leading the company's management are President and CEO Todd Wanek and his father, Chairman Ron Wanek. Presidents of company divisions are Rob Hoffman, case goods; Kerry Lebensburger, upholstery; Tom Leon, Millennium; and Chuck Spang, Ashley Furniture HomeStores.

Longtime executive Chuck Vogel left as executive vice president in 2002, and he and his son, Ben, sued the Waneks and Ashley, claiming they did not pay enough to buy out the Vogels' 25% stake in the company. The parties reached an undisclosed settlement in May 2005, and Chuck Vogel issued a statement of support for the company and remains on its board of directors.

Todd Wanek was promoted to CEO in 2002, with Ron retaining the chairman's title.

"I had a goal to build a company to $1 billion, then I turned it over to Todd," said Ron Wanek. "I am an entrepreneur. Todd is an extremely organized systems guy."

He said that's why the company has been able to handle its growth while keeping its operations at a high level.

RSS
Reprints/License
Print
Email
Talkback
Related Content
Also by Jay McIntosh

Reed Business Information Resource Center

Featured Company


Most Recent Resources

Advertisement

Related Microsite Content

Related Links

  • No Related Content Available

More Content
  • Blogs
  • Photos

Larry Thomas

Special Order

Larry Thomas
November 06, 2009
A surprising twist to a controversial trucking program
The long-running battle over the controversial “clean truck” program...
More

Judi Fulbright

Research Says

Judi Fulbright Research Says Profile
November 06, 2009
More on upholstery and price points
After the appearance of the Upholstery Fabric & Style Survey in the October 5...
More

VIEW ALL BLOGS RSS
GuildMaster chest

Best of Market: More market highlights

Here is a sampling of some of the stylish new products catching dealers' eyes at the October High Point Market. For more coverage, see Furniture/Today's Nov. 2 print issue. When you're done viewing the photos in this Slideshow, more images of hot introductions also are available on the Furniture/Today Web site by clicking here.

 

 

High Point Market scene, 1955

Scenes from the High Point Market's past 100 years

The High Point Market is marking its 100th anniversary this April. To help celebrate this milestone, Furniture/Today presents some pictorial highlights of the past 100 years.

ft print sub MM ad
Advertisement
eNewsletters
Furniture Today eDaily
Furniture Today eClassifieds
Bedding Today
Furniture Today Green
Casual Living eWeekly
Home Accents Today eWeekly
Home Accents Today Product Line
Home Textiles Today Extra
Hospitality Furnishings Today
Gifts & Dec Direct
Gifts & Dec Product Wire
Kids Today eWeekly
Playthings Extra



Please read our Privacy Policy

About Us   |   Advertise   |   Site Map   |   Contact Us   |   Subscription   |   Affiliate Links   |   RSS
© 2009 Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Use of this Web site is subject to its Terms of Use | Privacy Policy
Please visit these other Reed Business sites