Long-term thinking, unity are challenges U.S. leaders face, Ethan Allen CEO says

Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, November 7, 2012

NEW YORK — Ethan Allen CEO Farooq Kathwari believes the key challenges for President Obama in his second term - and for all of America's leaders - are to think long term and bring people together, he said in an interview today on Bloomberg TV.

"We've got to start changing the way we are doing things. The most important is that we've got to think long term," Kathwari told a panel of interviewers.

He noted that Ethan Allen, a vertically integrated manufacturer, importer and retailer, has kept 70% of its manufacturing jobs in the United States. While he said the state of U.S. manufacturing in general is currently stable, it could become "precarious" if the nation's leaders don't pursue policies to encourage companies to keep jobs here.

Kathwari also encouraged Obama to work with his rivals, both domestically and internationally, to address issues. He said work is needed on issues including health care reform and making education accessible and affordable.