Thomasville to close Founders Furniture division by year's end

Jeff Linville
Founders, which makes promotionally priced particleboard youth and adult bedroom

furniture, has been in business since 1974, but has seen its domestic sales slip while its sister import line, branded as Vignettes, has grown.
The announcement went out in a letter to dealers from Phil Miller, president of Thomasville’s Virginia-based operations including Founders, Vignettes and Creative Interiors (RTA).
“As you know, there have been dramatic changes in the furniture industry over the last few years with low-priced imports and large, full-line furniture companies changing the landscape,” wrote Miller. “Unfortunately, we cannot meet the financial performance, continue to offer a quality product, and compete in the promotional-print bedroom segment of the market.”
For those carrying Founders, Miller wrote, “We have ample inventories to cover most all orders for the next 90 days; and we will execute balancing production runs as needed.
“Our general office and production facility in Appomattox, Virginia, will continue to service our Creative Interior, Vignettes and Contract operations. Our customer service lines and repair parts center will be available to service orders and resolve any open issues you may have.”
This will not affect any workers at the two plants in Virginia, Miller said by phone. The factories have been operating six days a week, 24 hours a day, he said.
This is because the RTA and contract have both grown by double digits this year, he said.
“That has been the trend over the past couple of years,” he said.
Also, after launching the line about four years ago, Vignettes continues to grow, up single digits so far this year with companies like Rooms To Go, Wickes and Bob’s Discount Furniture carrying groups.
“Founders represents only 4% of our overall volume,” said Miller. Sales have declined, and competing with import pricing has hurt profit margins.
“The profitability of it didn’t warrant remaining in it for that small business,” he said.