Century Furniture Keeps U.S. Factories Open—A Blueprint for Resilient Manufacturing

Made in America is no longer a quaint slogan; it’s a reality check in a globalized economy. Yet the spirit that built our nation—innovation, grit, and determination—remains alive. Century Furniture, a Hickory, N.C. company, exemplifies this ethos by keeping its U.S. factories open against the odds.

With seven manufacturing plants and roughly 1,200 business partners who hold equity stakes, Century stands as one of the last proud holders of the title “Furniture Capital of America.” While about two‑thirds of U.S. wood‑manufacturing competitors have shut down and relocated to China, Century remains domestic.

According to Hardwood Review Weekly, between 2000 and 2006, 279 U.S. furniture factories closed across 29 states, wiping out more than 64,000 jobs. North Carolina alone lost 68 percent of its 32,000 furniture jobs in that span.

“It’s easy to see why many manufacturers moved overseas,” says Robert J. Maricich, President and CEO. “A skilled American earns 28 times what a worker in China does, and when you factor in healthcare and regulatory costs, the challenge is profound.”

Maricich arrived at Century in 2000 during a boom. Suddenly, September 11 shook consumer confidence, the market crashed, and Chinese imports surged. Instead of relocating, the leadership team chose to stay, cutting 20 % of the workforce but preserving every factory.

Maricich has distilled this decision into 16 guiding principles, presented at the 2006 Leadership Excellence Summit. Below is a concise overview:

• 1. Stop Digging When in a Hole: Scrutinize every process—if it adds no value, eliminate it.
• 2. Act Despite Uncertainty: Make bold decisions; learn from outcomes rather than wait for perfect data.
• 3. Embrace Ambiguity: Operate decisively when rules are unclear, but keep core values steady.
• 4. Leverage Your Brilliance: Focus on what you do best—luxury, customization, rapid delivery—and embed it into all operations.
• 5. Avoid Being All Things to All People: Cut non‑core lines; focus on high‑margin fine furnishings.
• 6. Cut the Fat: Adopt lean manufacturing—reduce waste, streamline routes (908 ft to 522 ft per upholstery piece), saving 1,300 miles yearly.
• 7. Embrace Selective Globalization: Outsource only what strengthens your core, such as overseas chair frames, while refining them in-house.
• 8. Build a Culture of Trust: Communicate openly, admit risks, and keep employees honest about future challenges.
• 9. Foster Ownership: Offer equity (ESOP) and repeat the company vision across all levels.
• 10. Hire the Best: Attract talent with access to premium materials and a culture of creativity; let go when passion wanes.
• 11. Reward Excellence: Pair financial incentives with meaningful recognition—like the Crystal Bear Award.
• 12. Innovate Relentlessly: Pursue breakthroughs such as the radial table from the Oscar de la Renta collection and weather‑resistant finishes for leisure furniture.
• 13. Choose Your Customers: Cut underperforming retail partners; grow direct sales to interior designers.
• 14. Deliver What Customers Want: Continuous market research; adapt to luxury trends and client needs.
• 15. Practice Perpetual Optimism: Positive framing (“We have a plan”) steadies teams and enhances performance.
• 16. Never Be a Victim: Remove low performers to maintain momentum and resilience.

Century’s CEO reminds leaders that outsourcing is not inevitable. Instead, perseverance and focused innovation can keep American manufacturing competitive. For more insight into Century’s journey, visit Century Furniture.

About Robert J. Maricich: Since 2000, Maricich has guided Century to $175 million in revenue, steering 1,200 associates and upholding the company’s reputation for luxury craftsmanship. His background spans engineering at Texaco, executive roles at American Drew, and leadership in industry associations.

About Century Furniture Industries: Located in Hickory, N.C., Century ranks among the world’s largest privately owned luxury furniture manufacturers, renowned for its design leadership and superior finishing. Visit www.centuryfurniture.com for more details.