The longstanding Howard Miller Company, a family-owned furniture business that has operated for nearly 100 years, has announced its pending closure due to economic hardships. According to WZZM13, the West Michigan company, which began as a clockmaker and eventually expanded into creating a range of furniture products, will shut all of its locations as it grapples with an untenable market environment.
President and CEO Howard J. “Buzz” Miller expressed the company's disappointment in a statement, per WZZM13, "Furniture sales are closely linked to the health of the housing market, which is struggling." He continued by explaining how tariffs have disrupted the supply chain and contributed to recession fears and rising mortgage rates. The company has indeed attempted to sell the business, working with an investment banker to find a buyer. However, there were no interested parties, even though Miller stated they would still be open to a sale, as reported by WOODTV.
The looming closure will impact roughly 195 employees across manufacturing plants in Zeeland, Traverse City, and two other North Carolina locations. Employees were informed of the closures on Wednesday and will receive severance packages and job placement support. The release further highlighted the "convergence of market influences beyond our control," which brought the company to this point, as told by Howard J. Miller. The employees, acknowledged for their craftsmanship and dedication, are at the heart of the company's growth and success over the decades, as written in a statement, per WOODTV.
Operations at Howard Miller are slated to wind down after the fourth quarter, with the company remaining open into 2026 to sell off remaining inventory. The economic challenges, including inflation and rising interest rates, have been cited as contributing factors to the closure. Whilst the manufacturing side of the business ceases, the Howard Miller Foundation will continue its philanthropic efforts, particularly those for nonprofits along the lakeshore.
