Bassett Furniture reopens N.C. upholstery plant

Will produce line to debut at High Point Market

Larry Thomas -- Furniture Today, April 6, 2010

BASSETT, Va. — Bassett Furniture Inds. said it will reopen an upholstery plant in Newton, N.C., to produce an entry-level fabric upholstery line that will debut this month at the High Point Market.

The factory, which is adjacent to Bassett's existing upholstery plant in Newton, was shut down about a year ago and is expected to resume production in late May.

Bassett said an undetermined number of new workers will be hired, although some of the 430 employees at the existing Newton plant will staff the new facility.

"In a time when more and more domestic furniture manufacturing has shifted oversees, we are elated to be able to take advantage of a strong work force in Newton and introduce a new
segment to our upholstery line, made right here in United States," said Rob Spilman, Bassett's president and CEO.

Spilman said the new line, which will feature starting retail price points of $599 to $799 for stationary sofas, will employ the cellular manufacturing process that has been used in Newton for several years. This will enable products to be shipped to Bassett Furniture Direct stores and independent dealers in two to three days.

"Our upholstery manufacturing team takes great pride in the precision of their craftsmanship
and the speed of their delivery," he said. "We believe we'll be able to use these new products to expand distribution and to drive traffic to our stores."

The new line includes 10 frames with matching sofas, loveseats and chairs, in addition to some 20 mix-and-match pillows.

Spilman said the new starting price point is about 20% below the current starting price, but said the company has not compromised its quality standards. In addition, the new line will have the same warranty as the existing Bassett line.

More High Point Market April 2010 Coverage