Scott Thomas leaves Egypt, moves production to Ohio

Heath E. Combs -- Furniture Today, October 5, 2012

The No. 3252-28 coffee table is one of Scott Thomas America’s new pieces and is made in solid curly maple with an ebonized base with brushed nickle drawer pulls.

AKRON, Ohio — Occasional and accent furniture supplier Scott Thomas Furniture says it has closed its plant in Egypt and is introducing a new company called Scott Thomas America, which is manufacturing in Ohio.

The company will show 50 items at next week's High Point Market at 525 N. Wrenn St., also known as the Tomlinson Building.

The decision to move manufacturing to the U.S. was driven by political unrest in Egypt and slow delivery times from the country. Production stopped in Egypt in July and domestic production began simultaneously, said Scott Hamed, president.

The 75,000-square-foot factory in Egypt was in Alexandria. The company had manufactured in Egypt since it was founded in 1992.

The company has a new line of items that are made in Ohio, where the goods will be stocked.

Scott Thomas introductions in High Point will feature original designs in North American hardwoods including curly maple, cherry, figured walnut, quartered oak and spalted maple, a press release said.

It added that the company aims to remain a source for bench-made furniture built in exotic and unusual woods.

"We think Scott Thomas America's distinction is our ability to capture a niche audience of high-end furniture connoisseurs," Hamed said in the release. "What is going to drive our future business is a continued commitment to innovative design, plus American-made quality and extremely fast delivery times."