Clear Strategies to Grow Progressive Furniture Purchases Claremont Speculative Building For Added Production Capacity

CLAREMONT, NC – Progressive Furniture, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Sauder Woodworking, announced the purchase of the 48,000 sf speculative industrial building in the Claremont International Business Park.  The speculative building is adjacent to Progressive Furniture’s existing Claremont manufacturing and warehouse operation.  Progressive Furniture immediately intends to expand the facility to 108,800 sf and complete the new space to house additional manufacturing lines, raw material and production staging, as well as finished goods ready for shipment.  Progressive Furniture anticipates investing a minimum of $6,500,000 on acquisition and completion of the facility and installation of manufacturing machinery and equipment.  Progressive Furniture’s expansion will retain 75 positions in Claremont and is expected to create 30 new positions, with as many as 100 new positions over the next 5 years.   Progressive Furniture, Inc. designs, sources and assembles furniture for the home, including entertainment, bedroom, kitchen and dining and office.  The company recently started a residential upholstery division in Claremont.

“Thanks to unprecedented levels of growth in our online sales and our recently-established upholstered residential furniture line, our Claremont operations have been pushed to their capacity,” said Dan Kendrick, President of Progressive Furniture.  “Progressive Furniture has clear strategies in place to continue this growth over the next five years.  This new facility provides the necessary space to pursue those strategies even more aggressively.  We are thankful for the private-public partnership that brought this facility to fruition.”

"Catawba County applauds Progressive Furniture’s continued growth in our community,” said Randy Isenhower, Chair of the Catawba County Board of Commissioners.  “The furniture industry has always been a vital sector of Catawba County’s economy, and Progressive Furniture has been an important part of that industry for over 30 years.  Their investment and the jobs they are creating for our citizens are a tangible result of collaboration with Catawba County, City of Claremont and Matthews Construction.  We must continue to ensure there are market-ready real estate offerings that appeal to diverse prospects so that companies like Progressive Furniture can continue making living better in Catawba County.”

“The City of Claremont could not be more proud of Progressive Furniture’s accomplishments and thankful for their continued investment in their company and our city,” stated Shawn R. Brown, Mayor of the City of Claremont.  “Their purchase of the spec building marks the third success in the past two years resulting from the city’s participation in the spec building program.  This partnership with Matthews Construction, Catawba County and the Catawba County Economic Development Corporation has been instrumental in the city’s industrial growth, having also brought DAE Systems, Inc. and Substance, Inc. to the Claremont International Business Park.  Progressive is a valued member of the Claremont community and we look forward to their continued growth.”

“The Catawba County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) is committed to helping our community’s existing companies grow and flourish,” said Robin Nicholson, Chair of the Catawba County EDC Board of Directors.  “Investment and jobs created by our existing industries represent a large share of the projects involving the EDC.  The EDC has been working with our local governments and our local builders and developers to create quality buildings and sites that will encourage economic growth.  Progressive’s expansion into this new facility is a shining example of how these opportunities can produce positive results.  We congratulate Sauder Woodworking and Progressive Furniture and look forward to working with them on this, and any future, endeavors.“

Progressive Furniture is currently accepting applications for all upholstery positions and warehouse staff.  To learn more about applying for a position, please visit Progressive Furniture (2555 Penny Road, Claremont, NC 28610) or call 828-459-2151.

About Sauder Woodworking

Sauder Woodworking Company offers ready-to-assemble furnishings for the home, including entertainment, home office, bathroom, bedroom, kitchen and dining, utility and garage, living room, pet home, and storage solutions. Its products include beds and headboards, chests and dressers, shelves and organization, tables and night stands, cabinets and carts, desks and hutches, sofas and chairs, TV and media furniture, and dining tables and chairs. The company also designs and imports wood bedroom, dining, and accent furniture; manufactures church, educational, and healthcare seating solutions; and offers a line of wood caskets and other funeral industry products, as well as a line of wood ceilings and closet systems for residential and commercial markets. In addition, it sources furniture from a network of global partners, including a line of office chairs that complement its residential and light commercial office furniture. The company offers its products through distributors, retailers, and a growing online presence in North America. Sauder Woodworking Company was founded in 1934 and is based in Archbold, Ohio. www.sauder.com

About Progressive Furniture

Progressive Furniture, Inc. designs, sources and imports household furniture, as well as recently established an upholstery division. The company offers bedroom, entertainment, dining room, home, and office furniture, as well as tables. It offers its products through retailers in the United States and Canada. The company was founded in 1985 and is based in Claremont, NC. As of July 9, 2001, Progressive Furniture, Inc. operates as a subsidiary of Sauder Woodworking Co. www.progressivefurniture.com

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SEE ADDITIONAL COVERAGE:

Furniture company expands, announces plans for up to 100 new jobs (Hickory Daily Record)
Progressive Furniture purchases Claremont Spec Building (Observer News Enterprise)
Progressive Furniture to Bring New Jobs to Claremont (WHKY)
Growing furniture maker to double its presence in Charlotte region, add 100 jobs (Charlotte Business Journal)
New Progressive Furniture building adds upholstery capacity (Furniture Today)