Ethan Allen (furniture company)
Encyclopedia
Ethan Allen Global, Inc. is a North America
n furniture
chain with almost 300 stores across the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. It was founded in 1932 by two brothers-in-law, Nathan S. Ancell
and Theodore Baumritter.
The company makes customized furniture domestically, 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.
" 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, CT. The Ethan Allen International Headquarters Complex includes the Ethan Allen Hotel, 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 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.
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.
In 2009, the company laid off 238 workers from Beecher Falls, Vermont
. 93 workers remained. Later in the year, the plant ceased operation.
In 2009, Ethan Allen closed the Eldred, PA manufacturing plant.
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
n furniture
Furniture
Furniture is the mass noun for the movable objects intended to support various human activities such as seating and sleeping in beds, to hold objects at a convenient height for work using horizontal surfaces above the ground, or to store things...
chain with almost 300 stores across the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. It was founded in 1932 by two brothers-in-law, Nathan S. Ancell
Nathan S. Ancell
Nathan S. Ancell co-founded the Ethan Allen furniture company with his brother-in-law, Theodore Baumritter, in the 1930s. Together, the two men pioneered the concept of selling furniture in room-style settings and built the Ethan Allen company. Today, Ethan Allen has sales of nearly $1...
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. It is one of the largest furniture companies in the United States.The company makes customized furniture domestically, 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.
History
The company was started as a housewares manufacturer in 1932, then bought a bankrupt furniture factory in Beecher Falls, Vermont in 1936. The firm adopted the name "Ethan AllenEthan Allen
Ethan Allen was a farmer, businessman, land speculator, philosopher, writer, and American Revolutionary War patriot, hero, and politician. He is best known as one of the founders of the U.S...
" 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
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
to Danbury, CT. The Ethan Allen International Headquarters Complex includes the Ethan Allen Hotel, 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
Farooq Kathwari
Farooq Kathwari is the Chairman, President and Chief Executive officer of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. He has been president of the Company since 1985 and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer since 1988. In 1989 he formed a group to purchase Ethan Allen and took the Company public in 1993. Under Mr...
. In 1993 the company went public to help raise $156.9 million through the sale of common stock.
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.
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.
In 2009, the company laid off 238 workers from Beecher Falls, Vermont
Canaan, Vermont
Canaan is a town in Essex County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,078 at the 2000 census. Canaan contains the village of Beecher Falls, located at the confluence of the Connecticut River and Halls Stream...
. 93 workers remained. Later in the year, the plant ceased operation.
In 2009, Ethan Allen closed the Eldred, PA manufacturing plant.
Manufacturing plants
- Orleans, VermontOrleans, VermontOrleans is a village in the northwestern corner of Barton, Orleans County, Vermont, United States. The population was 826 at the 2000 census, making it the largest village in Orleans County.-Government:...
- Silao, GuanajuatoSilao, GuanajuatoSilao is a municipality in the west-central part of the state of Guanajuato in Mexico. Its seat is the city of the same name.This municipality lies adjacent to the west side of the municipality of Guanajuato, the state capital...
, Mexico - Passaic, New JerseyPassaic, New JerseyPassaic is a city in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 69,781, maintaining its status as the 15th largest municipality in New Jersey with an increase of 1,920 residents from the 2000 Census population of 67,861...
Plant Manager Mike Caffrey announced April 30th, 2011 will be ceasing manufacturing June 15th, 2011 - Chino, CaliforniaChino, CaliforniaChino is a city in San Bernardino County, California, United States. It is located in the western end of the Riverside-San Bernardino Area and it is easily accessible via the Chino Valley and Pomona freeways....
Ceased manufacturing - Dublin, VirginiaDublin, VirginiaDublin is a town in Pulaski County, Virginia, United States. The population was 2,534 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Blacksburg–Christiansburg–Radford Metropolitan Statistical Area...
Ceased manufacturing - Old Fort, North CarolinaOld Fort, North CarolinaOld Fort is a town in McDowell County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 959 at the 2008 estimated census. The town is well known for its weekly Mountain Music concerts, attracting large audiences and many musicians from the surrounding areas to Old Fort's downtown each Friday at...
- Andover, MaineAndover, MaineAndover is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 864 at the 2000 census. Set among mountains and crossed by the Appalachian Trail, Andover is home to the Andover Earth Station and Lovejoy Covered Bridge.-History:...
Ceased manufacturing - Atoka, OklahomaAtoka, OklahomaAtoka is a city in Atoka County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 3,052 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Atoka County.-Geography:Atoka is located at ....
Ceased manufacturing