Samuel Lawrence will halt Arizona production
By Powell Slaughter -- Furniture Today, February 16, 2004
PHOENIX — Case goods resource Samuel Lawrence Furniture will cease manufacturing at its 250,000-square-foot plant here.
The factory, which produces mostly pine bedroom furniture, will continue to perform light assembly, finishing and warehousing after production is shut down, scheduled for completion March 12. Samuel Lawrence hopes eventually to sell the facility.
The Phoenix plant is one of five primary source plants for Samuel Lawrence's product lines. Most product comes from China and some from Vietnam.
The company will focus on its fast-growing imported case goods collections, said George Revington, president and CEO, with eight new collections on tap for the April market.
"Samuel Lawrence successfully has completed the transition from a manufacturing company to an international furniture marketing company," he said.
The company has offices, warehouses and staff in both Phoenix, its U.S. headquarters, and in Asia. It recently expanded its High Point showroom and offices.
"Our order backlog is the highest in history," Revington said, "and despite the suspension of (domestic) manufacturing operations, our sales will grow again this year."
The shutdown affects about 230 workers, a few of which will shift to Samuel Lawrence's distribution operation.
"Our Phoenix production team and the Samuel Lawrence manufacturing workforce are some of the best that I have worked with, and we regret having to suspend operations," said Doug Townsend, chief financial officer. "Since the announcement, they have continued to operate at 100% efficiency, which is a real testament to their dedication."
