Furniture manufacturer expanding to Morganton, bringing 100 new jobs

MORGANTON, N.C. — A North Carolina furniture manufacturer is planning to invest nearly $6 million to expand its operation to Burke County, according to a release from the office of Gov. Roy Cooper.

Vanguard Furniture Company, Inc., headquartered in Conover, plans to open its upholstery manufacturing operations in Morganton. The addition will bring 100 jobs to the area, according to Cooper.

“North Carolina continues to be the global leader for furniture manufacturing,” Cooper said. “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.”

Vanguard makes and markets high-end case goods and upholstery. The family-held company employs 680 people across seven manufacturing facilities in Conover; Hillsville, Virginia; Las Vegas; and High Point.

The expansion to Morganton will be the company’s eighth manufacturing facility and is expected to cost more than $5.9 million. The focus will be on case goods, finishing and upholstery manufacturing with warehouse and distribution operations, according to the release.

“We selected Morganton because the local community has hundreds of generational craftsmen with sawdust in their blood,” said Andy Bray, president of Vanguard Furniture. “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.”

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Salaries for the new jobs are expected to average more than $42,500 annually, bringing a yearly payroll impact of more than $4.2 million for the area, officials said.

Vanguard’s expansion is being assisted by a $250,000 performance-based grant from the One North Carolina Fund.

The aid is financial assistance for local governments to attract economic investment and create jobs. Money will not be paid out until job creation and capital investment targets are met, officials said.

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