Baker HQ Moving to NC

June 20, 2006  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on June 2006 High-end upholstery and case goods manufacturer Baker Furniture will move its headquarters from Grand Rapids, Mich., to North Carolina and build a distribution center in Hickory.

The move will create 70 jobs and involve an investment of $12 million over the next three years, North Carolina Governor Mike Easley announced Tuesday.

After the relocation, all Baker’s U.S. manufacturing operations and most of its administration offices will be in North Carolina. The company also has five existing distribution centers in Hildebran, High Point and Mocksville.

Baker is part of Kohler Co., a privately held company based in Kohler, Wisc., and designs and makes wood and upholstered furniture.

Kevin Ward, president of subsidiary Baker Knapp & Tubbs Inc., said having its operations close to each other has helped the company’s success.

“The state and people of North Carolina have been exceptionally welcoming to our business,” he said.

The company will receive a $76,000 state grant for bringing the jobs.