Revealed! The true king of the furniture industry
Jerry Epperson -- Furniture Today, July 16, 2007
The announcement that Mickey Holliman is retiring as CEO of Furniture Brands made me think about who is the most influential person in the furniture industry today. Holliman runs what was our largest manufacturer-importer for about a decade.
Today the largest is clearly Ashley, run by the father-and-son team of Ron and Todd Wanek. Smart, insightful and global, they are undoubtedly powerful and have set a new standard for the whole industry.
What about retailers Jeff and Morty Seaman? Everyone respects them and what they've accomplished.
Samuel Kuo, chairman of China-based Samson Holding, runs the highest-valued public furniture company, owning Universal, Legacy Classic and others. Extremely smart, blessed with a great management team and, of course, global, Kuo is an industry giant for sure.
After some thought, I have made my decision. See if you can guess!
My choice burst on the U.S. furniture scene in the mid-1980s, yet is much more influential today. I was introduced to him by my friend Sherwood Robertson.
He clearly has a European flair but he lived in Boston, New York City and Philadelphia. He was a respected teacher for a while, and has hung around with famous people, including a Clinton.
He traveled extensively and learned from many cultures. He once visited Havana. That narrows it down!
Despite family fame and wealth, he was extremely unpretentious, and was recognized and praised for his ability to relate to others, especially those less blessed.
To say he was a family man is an understatement. His wife Marie, born in Europe, had no less than 10 children. One of his daughters was called "Princess."
Unfortunately, I never met him in person, but I bet he would be a great conversationalist with beaucoup stories.
Some compare him to Elvis, "the King," and he did have black wavy hair and long, exaggerated sideburns just like the rock 'n' roller from Tupelo.
Unfortunately, he passed away some years ago, but his influence lives on and on and on. I bet you have used his name recently.
One last clue: As influential as he has been in case goods, he never did much for upholstery. Give up? In his spare time from inspiring furniture, he was the last king of France.
Yes, our king is Louis Philippe!
Born on Oct. 6, 1773, his mother was from the Orleans family and his dad was a Bourbon, both good furniture-related identities. He was king from 1830 to 1848 and continues to reign on retail furniture floors nationwide.
Way to go, Lou!
