Cramco ramps up Philadelphia dining plant
By Heath E. Combs -- Furniture Today, October 6, 2008
PHILADELPHIA — Changing course after downsizing its domestic operations over the past few years, casual dining supplier Cramco says it has brought its plant here fully back on line.
The move reverses direction for Cramco, which had offered more imported product in the past two years, said Dave Shock, national sales manager.
Volatile raw material and labor costs overseas in the past six months led the company to believe it could compete domestically with promotionally priced dining sets, Shock said.
“Sixty years of manufacturing experience have enabled us to streamline our production facility,” he said.
Company officials did not say how many employees were hired as a result of the reopening.
Cramco will still offer higher-end looks from its overseas factories. The U.S. plant will address retail price points between $199 and $499. The line will include fully welded chairs, benches and stools at promotional prices.
About 20% of the company’s showroom at this month’s High Point Market will be devoted to domestic product.
Cramco will introduce several new casual dining sets at the High Point Market. Features will include tables with mar- and heat-resistant laminate tops along with glass top tables with fully welded bases.
With the U.S.-made goods, the big benefit to retailers is lead time, Shock said. Imported containers can take a minimum of 12 weeks, while the domestically produced items will be readily available, he said.
By never completely shutting down production in Philadelphia, the company was able to keep key employees at the 100,000-square-foot manufacturing facility, Shock added.
“We are positioning ourselves for a recovering economy and future growth of our domestic plant,” he said.
