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Kith Commits to High Point
September 25,
2012 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedroom on September 26, 2012
Domestic bedroom furniture producer Kith Furniture has signed a lease for a 5,247-square-foot permanent showroom in the International Home Furnishings Center.
For the past two markets, Kith Furniture has been showing in this same area, Space 208 of the IHFC's Main wing, currently part of the Bernards showroom, where it will continue to do for the Oct. 13-18 High Point Furniture Market. Kith will take over its permanent space for April Market.
As a new company thats rapidly expanding, we need a strong presence in High Point, said Brett Tilley, sales manager. This location has worked out great its in a convenient location just one floor up from the lobby, which makes it easy for retailers to visit us. And being next to Bernards has been a plus that increased traffic for both companies.
Launched in 2011, Kith Furniture specializes in promotional bedroom and entertainment furniture. The company currently has 18 bedroom groups in its line, with styles that include traditional, country, Mission and contemporary. Prices range from $399 to $999 retail for a four-piece group.
Kith Furnitures principals are Craig Smith, president and CEO; his brother Ken Smith, executive vice president, secretary and treasurer; and Bo Knight, executive vice president and chief operating officer. The Smiths were formerly executives with Harden Mfg., a bedroom producer founded by their father Joe Mac Smith in 1972. The family sold a majority stake in Harden Mfg. to Linsalata Capital Partners, a Cleveland-based private equity firm, in 2006.
Kith produces its line, which includes residential kitchen cabinets, at five plants employing 260 people in Haleyville, Ala. The company currently has 1,000 accounts in the South, serving as far north as Maryland and as far west as Texas. Orders are shipped on company trucks within five to 10 working days.
Weve gotten a number of requests from dealers in other areas, so weve decided to expand our service in the North and West, said Tilley. Dealers like the fact that were made in the U.S. and that we consistently provide a high level of quality and customer support.
At market, Kith will add three new bedroom groups in traditional, transitional and contemporary styling. The company also will add eight-drawer storage beds priced at $499 and new entertainment consoles priced at $179 to $199.
While this markets product presentation is shown in an area next to Bernards, next market Kith will remodel its portion of the space to make it a stand-alone showroom.
It will be a brand new showroom designed specifically for our line, said Tilley. Well be able to decorate it in a way that highlights our strengths.
said Julie Messner, vice president of leasing for International Market Centers, said High Point offers new companies such as Kith a valuable platform for expanding distribution.
High Point attracts the nations leading retailers," she said. "Its where they come to see new lines and make key buying decisions.