Michigan Gets Furniture Deal

Office furniture maker Haworth Inc. said Tuesday it will consolidate its manufacturing and distribution operations in four states to facilities in three western Michigan cities.

The Holland-based company received a Single Business Tax credit worth about $10.5 million to consolidate its operations from Jonesboro, Arkansas; Henderson, Texas; Hazelton, Pennsylvania; and Lincolnton, N.C., and relocate to Michigan, according to the Michigan Economic Development Corp.

The move is expected to mean an additional 1,000 Haworth jobs at the company's newly consolidated facilities in Holland, Allegan and Big Rapids, said Paul Krepps, spokesman for the MEDC.

The $42.7 million project includes a major reconstruction of its 25-year-old headquarters in Holland, the MEDC said. Haworth also will continue operating at its existing facilities in Douglas, Ludington, Kentwood and Troy, Krepps said.

Krepps said Haworth has closed facilities in Alabama, North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia and Washington to reduce excess capacity in recent years.

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