Jamestone expands, hires new VP
By Jeff Linville -- Furniture Today, May 19, 2003
Vernon, Calif. — Case goods manufacturer and importer Jamestone Home Collections said rising sales are behind its recent move to a larger facility here and the hiring of a new vice president.
Jamestone's new 125,000-square-foot warehouse, office and showroom complex is more than twice the size of its former 50,000-square-foot quarters.
Citing a need for a clear focus on retailer needs, the company also has hired Chuck Small as vice president, a new position reporting to Danny Dang, president and chief executive officer.
The new facility will help Jamestone better serve the sales and support needs of its growing dealer base, according to Dang. The company said the warehouse holds more than $3 million in inventory to ensure quick, consistent sales fulfillment.
It's the company's fourth expansion in three years. Jamestone also moved last year from a temporary space at the High Point market to a permanent showroom on the seventh floor of the National Furniture Mart.
The company began in 1995 as a design and marketing firm, but soon moved to designing and making occasional furniture. Jamestone did not disclose sales figures, but said growth means it needs to focus on meeting retailers' needs, which led to hiring Small.
Small has been in the industry for 33 years, most recently as president of Importium, an Asian manufacturer. He also has been a sales representative for U.S. manufacturers, including Pulaski and Schnadig, and has operated stores.
He said that from his experience in importing, he believes Jamestone has the right approach — the company owns equity in its foreign factories, rather than simply buying goods from an independent supplier. Having an equity position improves quality control, he said.
