Klaussner to close Mississippi plant

— Furniture Today,
Will shift production to North Carolina
ASHEBORO, N.C. — Klaussner Furniture Inds. said


Tuesday it will close its Bruce, Miss. upholstery plant and consolidate operations to its North Carolina facilities.
The closing, affecting 117 employees, is scheduled for completion by April 27.
“The entire furniture industry continues to be negatively impacted by the weak retail market,” the company said in a news release. It said that Klaussner has made changes, including consolidating plants, “to remain competitive and to provide its employees with more consistent work.”
Klaussner began operations in Bruce in June 1998 in a leased facility, then built and moved into its present factory there in early 2000.
“While this is a difficult decision, it should in no way be seen as a reflection on the employees at the Mississippi facility,” said J.B. Davis, president and CEO. “The employees at Bruce have worked hard and have been an important part of the overall success of KFI.”
The company said it will work with state and local agencies to help employees find new jobs or training opportunities.