Stickley Furniture to invest $6M in factory

CNY Business Journal (1996+), Jan 09, 2004

L. & J.G. Stickley, manufacturer of collector-quality furniture, will in'vest approximately $6 million and keep its Manlius production facility in Central New York. The company will retain all 945 production workers and create 30 new jobs.

Stickley furniture is known for its authentic designs, integrity of construction, and custom finishes. In 1956, Leopold Stickley, the founder of Stickley, was honored as "The Revered Dean of Cabinetmakers whose art and craftsmanship have contributed mightily to American home life," by House Beautiful, House & Garden, National Geographic, The New Yorker, and Fortune magazine, among others.

Alfred and Aminy Audi purchased the ailing company in 1974 from Leopold's widow. Starting that year with 25 employees and $235,000 in annual sales, Stickley has grown to become a worldclass company. Last year the Audis purchased the John Widdicomb company, a high-end furniture manufacturer since 1850, and moved the company's production from Grand Rapids, Mich. to New York State.

Located in Fayetteville since 1900, the Stickley factory moved to its present site in nearby Manlius in 1985. Today, the new factory has more than 400,000 square feet of production space. L. & J.G. Stickley is eligible to apply to Empire State Development for a $500,000 Capital Grant to be applied to the purchase and installation of machinery and equipment.