 Continuing the long tradition of hand-crafted outdoor seasonal furniture with the same quality craftsmanship put in place by its founder is Woodard Furniture's goal, according to the company. Continuing the long tradition of hand-crafted outdoor seasonal furniture with the same quality craftsmanship put in place by its founder is Woodard Furniture's goal, according to the company.
Lyman Woodard founded the company in 1865. In the 1930s, the company developed a collection of hand-crafted, wrought iron furniture. The new product line sparked the beginning of Woodard Furniture's entrance into the casual furniture industry.
Today, Woodard Furniture specializes in high-end outdoor furniture manufactured out of wrought iron, extruded and cast aluminum, and wicker. Woodard Furniture offers an extensive selection of outdoor seasonal furniture that is highly customizable with more than 25 unique finishes and 200 fabrics from which to choose, according to the company.
Woodard's brands include Woodard, Woodard Landgrave, Lyon-Shaw Direct, Innova and Carolina Forge. Headquartered in Chicago, Woodard has manufacturing facilities in Owosso, Mich., and Hangzhou, China.
"Under the flagship Woodard brand, wrought iron, cast aluminum, extruded aluminum and all-seasons wicker products are manufactured using the finest materials available, state-of-the-art finishing systems and quality control systems second to none in our industry," the company states.
Woodard brands have long been recognized in the industry for quality and design, the company states. In 2004, the company received the Design Excellence Award for a Woodard Landgrave collection, considered the highest recognition for design in the casual furniture industry. The award honors manufacturers whose products demonstrate innovation, fine craftsmanship and great engineering.
Every design is exquisitely detailed and constructed from materials surpassing the industry's most rigid standards, according to the company. The company says it has the the most extensive selection of high-quality pieces, the largest variety of finishes and the most comfortable fabrics to suit every style. Its product areas include:
· All-seasons-wicker
· Aluminum
· Classic wrought iron
· Table tops
· Umbrellas
· Cast aluminum
The company's commercial division, Woodard Contract, has literally created the concept of modern outdoor furniture, the company says. "In the process, a tradition of hand-crafted excellence in wrought iron, cast aluminum, tubular aluminum and wicker design has been established."
New Leadership
In November, Woodard announced a new president, Martin Weissburg, who took over the reins after serving as Woodard Furniture's EVP and COO for more than three years.
"Over the last several years, Woodard has completed many important changes and is today well positioned as an industry leader," stated Mel Cohen, former Woodard president and member of Woodard's board of directors. "Marty will continue to lead Woodard on its path of quality and growth for the benefit of its owners, employees, sales representatives, distributors and end-users," he continued.
Previously, Weissburg served as president of a division of Great Dane Limited Partnership, one of Woodard's sister companies.
New Bistro Collection
This spring, Woodard has launched a new Woodard Landgrave product offering, the Bistro Collection. The product line is specifically targeted to the hospitality channel.
The Bistro line is cast aluminum and includes 12 bistro side chairs and eight table tops. The products in the line are designed to be easily mixed and matched to meet the needs of the hospitality industry, such as restaurants, hotels or country clubs.
"The bistro collection is a welcomed addition to the Woodard Landgrave cast aluminum contract line," Dean Engelage, executive vice president, said in a statement.
"These new patio decor options will provide our clients with more hospitality opportunities than ever before," he continues.
Distinct Difference
According to Woodard Furniture, its products are known in the marketplace for their distinct design and quality craftsmanship. A few of Woodard Furniture's lines include:
· The Regent Collection, designed by Shaun Sweeney, is an elegant wrought iron collection with plush inviting cushions, the company describes. "The iron vertical slat back with deep cushions adds to the style and comfort," the company says. "Perfect indoors or outdoors, the Regent Collection will add an air of sophistication to any setting."
· The Cimarron Collection adds a South East Sea look to the cast aluminum line. This collection combines intricate cast wrappings with a bamboo look that is unparalleled, the company says.
"Subtle character to each cast aluminum piece is obtained through a highly detailed mold to ensure enduring, intricate designs," the company states. "Woodard Landgrave uses only the purest, most resilient grade of aluminum ingots. Frames are hand-formed, hand-welded and hand-buffed." F+I |
