Peterson defends U.S. factories
By Gary Evans -- Furniture Today, August 2, 2004
Hanover, Pa. — One small Pennsylvania case goods company has become a mighty voice for making furniture in America.
Michael Peterson, president and owner of Madison Square, a high-end producer of accent furniture and case goods, was featured this month on CNN's "Lou Dobbs Tonight," explaining the importance of bucking the trend of taking manufacturing overseas.
Madison Square's story appeared on the "Made in America" segment hosted by Dobbs, well known for his opposition to outsourcing jobs. Peterson talked about the importance of keeping jobs in America and his responsibility to his plant's employees. "I feel like I'm responsible for 40 mortgages," he said.
Peterson said he was watching the program six months ago when he decided to call senior producer Bill McGinnis and express interest on getting Madison Square's story on the air. McGinnis was interested, but nothing happened until Peterson got the call that CNN was sending a reporter and crew the next day.
The television crew spent over six hours at the 117-year-old plant in Hanover, near historic Gettysburg, for the two-minute segment that aired during the 6 p.m. time slot on July 9.
After the program, Peterson was elated with the response. Calls came in from all over the country last week — including one from a former college roommate he hadn't spoken to in 31 years.
In addition to talking to Peterson, CNN also interviewed employees, who average 19 years with the company.
"One of the nice things is all the exposure Madison Square got and the exposure the employees got," Peterson said. "They're now heroes to their kids."
He told CNN viewers that American companies should worry less about the bottom line and more about adding value, quality, style, delivery and options. Madison Square offers 22 finishes, delivers in 20 days and has a return rate of less than 1% on merchandise.
He also talked about building furniture that will last, telling CNN: "Our people understand that it's not just a dining table. That dining table is the place where Mom's going to prepare the Thanksgiving dinner for two or three generations of family members and share and create memories."
He added, "We're already beholden to parts of the world (for apparel and other goods). Do we want to be beholden to the rest of the world for the chairs that we sit in and the tables where we spend family time together?"
