Ethan Allen (furniture company)

Ethan Allen Global, Inc.
Public
Traded as NYSE: ETH
Industry Furniture and home interiors
Founded 1932
Headquarters Danbury, Connecticut,U.S., USA, ), UA
Key people
 Farooq Kathwari, President, Chairman and CEO
Revenue DecreaseUS$590.05 million (2010)
DecreaseUS$-11.73 million (2010)
DecreaseUS$-44.32 million (2010)
Number of employees
 4,800
Website www.ethanallen.com
Ethan Allen store, Ann Arbor, MI

Ethan Allen Global, Inc. is an American furniture chain with almost 300 stores across the United States, Canada[1] and the United Kingdom.[2] It was founded in 1932 by two brothers-in-law, Nathan S. Ancell and Theodore Baumritter.

Operations

Ethan Allen has 295 Design Centers and Studios, six manufacturing facilities including two sawmills, six wholesale distribution centers, 29 retail service centers, one hotel, and sales of $980 million located across the United States.[3] It is one of the largest furniture companies in the United States.

The company makes customized furniture domestically ( Maiden, NC ), such as upholstered furniture, sofas, and chairs, custom made in a selected fabric. Overall domestic manufacturing of Ethan Allen products stands at 65% with goals to raise this to 70% with the release of the new American Artisan line.[4]

History

The company was started as a housewares manufacturer in 1932, then bought a bankrupt furniture factory in Beecher Falls, Vermont, in 1936.[5][6] The firm adopted the name "Ethan Allen" for its early-American furniture introduced in 1939. It was named after the Vermont Revolutionary leader.

In 1972, Ethan Allen moved its headquarters from New York City to Danbury, Connecticut. The Ethan Allen International Headquarters Complex includes the Ethan Allen Hotel,[7] corporate headquarters offices, and an interior design center. The firm was sold in 1980 to Interco for $150 million, though Ancell remained an advisor. The company was sold again in 1989 to a management group headed by current Chairman, President, and CEO Farooq Kathwari. In 1993, the company went public to help raise $156.9 million through the sale of common stock.

In 2004, Ethan Allen closed its Boonville, New York, plant, laying off 250. It also closed its Bridgewater, Virginia, plant, also laying off 250.

In 2008, the company announced plans to close a dozen Design Centers. The decision was made to consolidate the Design Centers with others that were currently serving the same market area.[8]

More than seventy percent of its cherry, maple and alder wood pieces are crafted in the United States. Towards the end of 2008, Ethan Allen began selling their products online.[9]

In 2009, the company laid off 238 workers from Beecher Falls, Vermont. 93 workers remained.[10] Later in the year, the plant ceased operation. In 2009, Ethan Allen closed the Eldred, PA manufacturing plant.

Manufacturing plants

Current manufacturing plants

Former manufacturing plants

References

  1. ↑ "Ethan Allen: Company Description". Hoover's. Retrieved 2008-12-06.
  2. ↑ "Ethan Allen Opens a Second Store in the U.K.". Business Wire. Retrieved 2009-06-18.
  3. ↑ "Ethan Allen launches contract furniture division". Furniture Today. Retrieved 2009-02-12.
  4. ↑
  5. ↑ "Obituary: Nathan S. Ancell". Columbia College Today. September 1999. Retrieved 2008-12-06.
  6. ↑ "Company History: Ethan Allen Interiors, Inc.". International Directory of Company Histories. Retrieved 2008-12-06.
  7. ↑ "Hotel | Danbury CT | Ethan Allen Hotel - Danbury CT". Ethan Allen Hotel. Retrieved 2012-09-23.
  8. ↑ Engel, Clint (2008-01-10). "Ethan Allen to close 12 stores". Furniture Today. Retrieved 2008-01-10.
  9. ↑ "decorating ideas | modern, traditional, casual furniture | free interior design". ethanallen.com. Retrieved 2012-09-23.
  10. ↑ Burlington Free Press, June 26, 2009, page 1A, "Ethan Allen lays off 238 ion Kingdom," Wilson Ring
  11. ↑ Occaso, Carla (2006-07-14). "New power plant helps Ethan Allen factory". Barre Montpelier Times Argus (Vermont). Retrieved 2008-12-06.
  12. ↑ "Ethan Allen buys factory in Mexico". Furniture Today. 2007-11-05. Retrieved 2008-01-10.
  13. ↑ "Ethan Allen registers all U.S. plants for EFEC environmental program". Furniture Today. 2012-08-13. Retrieved 2013-05-24.
  14. ↑ "Ethan Allen closing Eldred, Pa., upholstery plant". Furniture Today. 2009-01-07. Retrieved 2013-05-24.
  15. ↑ "Owner of former Ethan Allen plant in Union City sues borough, fire department". GoErie / Erie Times-News. 2011-10-24. Retrieved 2013-05-24.

External links

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