Ron Hahn launching case goods source DesignWorks

Heath E. Combs -- Furniture Today, October 1, 2012

HIGH POINT — Ron Hahn will launch a case goods importer called DesignWorks at this month's High Point Market that joins the industry veteran with the former designers of Sitcom Furniture.

Hahn is the former CEO and president of Universal Furniture, co-founder of Master Design and more recently of Thomas Hahn and Home.

In High Point, DesignWorks will have a 10,000-square-foot showroom in Hamilton Square, 101 S. Hamilton St., space 111. The market runs Oct. 13-18.

Its introductions will include six bedroom collections of five to seven SKUs each. Four-piece groups will range from $1,499 to $1,999, a step-up "sweet spot" of mid-priced, better goods that Hahn said are currently undersold by the industry.

In addition, the company will offer 25 occasional SKUs and five collections of dining room, along with some outdoor furniture.

Pieces will be produced in Vietnam, Malaysia and China. Initially it will sell container only.

The company's designs will have artisan styling and urban appeal "emphasizing design, quality and attention to customer service," Hahn said.

"It will appeal to the youngest demographics at retail, to those who want to live in a fresher way. It's not traditional at all. It's more of an urban appeal," he said. "It's a real unique niche. You're not going to see product like this on the floors anywhere right now."

Hahn described DesignWorks, with a team of industry professionals and the former Sitcom designers, as "a lean but highly motivated team that brings excellent value to the marketplace. We are well staffed in design, sourcing and quality control to best serve our retail partners," he said.

Hahn added that he is excited to return to the furniture industry.

"It feels great to be in control of our destiny once again and to start fresh with a spectrum of exciting product."