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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Vanguard Furniture Company Expands Morganton, North Carolina, Operations

04/26/2022
Vanguard Furniture Company, Inc. will expand its upholstery manufacturing operations to Morganton, North Carolina. The $5.9 million project is expected to create 100 jobs.

The expansion will be the company’s eighth manufacturing facility focused on case goods, finishing, and upholstery manufacturing with warehouse and distribution operations.

“This plant has a rich history and is an ideal footprint for making custom furniture. The building is on one level, has high ceilings and will allow Vanguard to efficiently warehouse materials and ship finished furniture,” said Andy Bray, President of Vanguard Furniture. “We selected Morganton because the local community has hundreds of generational craftsmen with sawdust in their blood. In fact, many of our best artisans and craftsmen currently make the 30-mile trip to our Conover headquarters every day and are thrilled at the prospect of not having to commute as far. This is a classic win-win. We create jobs and with expanded capacity and shortened lead-times for our dealers and their customers.”

A performance-based grant of $250,000 from the One North Carolina Fund will help with Vanguard’s expansion in North Carolina. The One NC Fund provides financial assistance to local governments to help attract economic investment and to create jobs. Companies receive no money upfront and must meet job creation and capital investment targets to qualify for payment. All One NC grants require matching participation from local governments and any award is contingent upon that condition being met.

“North Carolina continues to be the global leader for furniture manufacturing,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “Vanguard’s decision to expand in our state affirms that our quality of life and skilled workforce can provide a thriving business climate that brings success.”

Headquartered in Conover, North Carolina, Vanguard Furniture is a manufacturer and marketer of high-end case goods and upholstery. The family held company employs 680 associates operating out of seven manufacturing facilities in Conover, North Carolina, and Hillsville, Virginia and flagship showrooms in High Point and Las Vegas.

“With the largest furniture manufacturing industry and workforce in the United States, North Carolina is a confident choice for Vanguard,” said N.C. Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders. “When we combine being first in furniture with being first in talent, North Carolina will continue to maintain its reputation as the furniture capital of the world.”

In addition to the N.C. Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, other key partners in the project include the North Carolina General Assembly, North Carolina Community College System, Western Piedmont Community College, Western Piedmont Council of Governments, Burke County, Burke Development, Inc., and City of Morganton.

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