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Ekornes Opening First U.S. Factory in N.C.

Larry Thomas -- Furniture Today, August 3, 2011

MORGANTON, N.C. - Norwegian furniture producer Ekornes will open its first U.S. factory here early next year.
     The facility, which initially will employ 58 people, will produce Stressless sofas using components made in Norway and shipped here for final assembly.
     The company said the move will reduce delivery times for the upper-end sofas and boost sales in one of Ekornes' key markets outside Europe.
     "North America represents a primary global market for Ekornes," said Oyvind Torlen, CEO. "We are committed to delivering the highest level of quality products and service to our consumers and dealers there."
      Torlen said the company has invested "a substantial level of marketing resources" in recent years to grow the Stressless brand, and opening a U.S. factory represents the next phase of that commitment.
     Manufacturing in the U.S. will also benefit Ekornes dealers, said Peter Bjerregaard, president of Ekornes Inc., the company's U.S. subsidiary.
      "We want our network of retailers and their salespeople to benefit from the sale sooner rather than later," said Bjerregaard. "Quicker delivery times on sofa sales will be a key element to our retailer support."
     The Morganton plant is the company's first outside of Norway. In the U.S. market, the company sells Stressless sofas and recliners. Its North American offices and warehouse are in Somerset, N.J.

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Ekornes to open first U.S. plant in North Carolina

Jul 21, 2011

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