Timberlake inks U.S. deal
Artist, partner to make furniture in N.C.
By Jeff Linville -- Furniture Today, March 27, 2006
Lexington, N.C. — Bob Timberlake himself stepped up to the plate to ensure that part of his licensed furniture line would continue to be made in the United States.
The North Carolina artist-designer and business partner Jimmy Kepley put up the money to launch Linwood Furniture, which has acquired the rights to produce Timberlake furniture in the same plant where it was made until Lexington Home Brands closed the factory in December.
Linwood, a joint venture of Kepley-Frank Hardwood Co. and Bob Timberlake Inc., purchased Lexington's No. 2 plant here and will use it to make The World of Bob Timberlake collection. Lexington will continue to market the line.
After closing the facility, Lexington had said it would look for another U.S. source plant to take over Timberlake production. CEO Bob Stec said that resulted in a flurry of offers from dozens of manufacturers in the Southeast.
Kepley, owner of Kepley-Frank, had approached Lexington about buying the plant so he could continue to dry lumber at the facility. During negotiations, Lexington asked whether Kepley would consider making the Timberlake line. Kepley spoke to Timberlake, a longtime friend, and the two men agreed to create Linwood Furniture, named after the Lexington neighborhood where the plant is located.
"If there was ever a product that deserves to be produced here in America, The World of Bob Timberlake certainly qualifies," said Timberlake. "I am so proud and pleased that this situation has worked out well for all concerned."
Linwood said it will invest more than $5 million in the plant and machinery.
The facility can accommodate up to 550 workers in its 550,000 square feet. At its peak, the plant produced $60 million wholesale in furniture annually. Dixie Furniture opened the plant in 1974. Dixie became part of Lexington with the Masco purchase in 1988.
Bryan Starnes, plant manager under Lexington, has returned in that capacity. He said he received a thick stack of job applications, many from those who had worked at the plant. The hard part, Starnes said, was turning away some people he considers friends because the plant was starting with only 50 workers. More than 200 were on the payroll when the plant shut down in December.
Kepley, who is Linwood's president, said workers would be added as business grows; he anticipates hiring as many as 200 in the next year and a half. In addition to the Timberlake line, Kepley said Linwood could make other furniture.
City and county officials have agreed to incentives for Linwood totaling more than $22,000 for each of the next five years.
Stec said Lexington will treat Linwood much like it does its other source plants. Todd Banik, Lexington's vice president of merchandising and design, will continue to be the lead person on product design, with input from Timberlake.
Other Timberlake licensed groups, such as October introduction Salt Aire, will continue to be imported.
