Obituaries
By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, March 11, 2007
Carl Eric Klote, founder, Klote International
Maryville, Tenn. — Carl Eric Klote, who founded contemporary upholstery maker Klote International, has died at his home in Högby, Sweden, after a lengthy illness. He was 84.
As an engineer in Sweden, Klote created a process using molded polystyrene frames for furniture. The company he was working for at the time had him set up a factory in Sweden using the process, and another in Germany. Eventually, the company established Overman USA in Knoxville, Tenn.
Klote left Overman in 1977 to found Klote International, which has factories in Maryville and Dandridge, Tenn. The company makes contemporary sofas, sofa-sleepers, modular upholstery, chairs and youth upholstery, and shows at 220 Elm in High Point. It sells in the United States and Canada.
Clarence Hamby, the company's controller, said Klote remained a Swedish citizen and preferred to commute from his homeland.
"He had over 2 million frequent flyer miles," Hamby said.
He also said that Klote was a workaholic, prone to working 12 hours a day, seven days a week.
"I remember once he stopped by my office and said, 'I've put in my 12 hours; let's call it a half day'," said Hamby.
Carl-Gosta Torstensson, director of Klote International Corp., and the present management staff will continue to operate the company.
Susan Regan, HMA executive vice president
Pittsburgh — Susan M. Regan, executive vice president of the Hardwood Manufacturers Assn., has died. She was 50.
Regan had been with the association for 20 years. She had suffered from cancer and died from complications arising from the disease.
She is survived by her mother.
Memorials may be made to the HMA Promotion Fund, 400 Penn Center Boulevard, Suite 530, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15235.
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