CURRENT ISSUE
| Cover Story |
| Columns |
| Karges Goes The Distance |
| Furniture | |
| By Hanna Aronovich | |
| Saturday, 30 June 2007 | |
 Although furniture designs have moved toward cleaner lines in the recent years and Karges has introduced some items with more contemporary styling, its primary focus is traditional designs. Rogier says she was speaking with a dealer about this trend, and the dealer commented that goods made overseas often all look the same. “‘Keep doing what you’re doing,’ he told me,” she recounts. “Karges’ furniture stands out. Everything made offshore has that done-down look, and we look great by comparison.” Standing out has helped Karges stay in business for more than 120 years. Albert F. Karges founded the company in 1886, and today – still family owned and operated – it continues to manufacture high-end, quality pieces that retailers and wholesale showrooms are proud to present to their customers. Being a smaller-sized company means Karges isn’t able to run its own showrooms. Instead, it works with dealers – Baker, Knapp & Tubbs being its largest – and has a presence in all major cities nationwide. Although furniture designs have moved toward cleaner lines in the recent years and Karges has introduced some items with more contemporary styling, its primary focus is traditional designs. “We don’t step too far from our traditional lines,” Rogier says. “We have customers contacting us to replace a chair from a set they bought from us 15 years ago. We like to have that style, or something similar to it, available for them.” Rogier’s grandfather, Edwin F. Karges Sr., was heavily involved in designing the furniture in the ’40s and ’50s. He preferred old-world styles and European designs, which are still incorporated today. “We combine the very clean lines of the new trends, but with hints of tradition,” Rogier explains. Kargas continues to modify its product lines, but also does a considerable amount of custom work. The company’s current designer, Paul Hermann, has been with the company for years and carries on the Karges design tradition. The company’s high-quality craftsmanship and attention to detail are what Rogier credits for its long-running success. “We have survived for so long because always, somewhere in the world, someone appreciates the finest quality of furniture,” she states. Until a year or two ago, the majority of Karges’ domestic sales were in major metro areas, with many high-profile customers in Los Angeles and New York. But, with a weaker U.S. dollar and stronger international buying power, overseas sales are 20 percent of Karges’ business – up from 10 to 12 percent last year. “We have a strong offshore presence due to the flux of economic buying power,” Rogier says. “The biggest countries we have on our books are Japan, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Korea and South/Central America.” Tradition is important, but Karges isn’t stuck in the past when it comes to technology. The company regularly invests in new equipment – such as CNC routers, precision sanders and an energy-efficient dust collection system – so it can efficiently manufacture standard and customized orders. “So many furniture manufacturing jobs have gone overseas because U.S. factories were old and out of date; they never reinvested,” Rogier says. “But in the last few years, we upgraded a lot. If the old way was the best, we stuck with it. For example, our veneer presses are still some of the best around. But, when the new way is better, we embrace change.” Along with offering comprehensive health care, a 401(k) and many other employee benefits, another tradition Karges does plan to hold on to is giving each employee a Christmas basket. Rogier says the practice was started by her grandfather and continues today. “The basket contains all the food necessary to make a full Christmas dinner,” she notes. “In addition to that, we have a Christmas gathering and invite all current and retired employees. It might be an old-fashioned thing, but it works for us.” ‘Worth the Battle’ In addition to winning several awards, this year at the High Point Furniture Market in North Carolina, Karges was given a key to the city to honor its 120 years as a U.S. manufacturer. Rogier notes that owning and operating a company is more than a privilege; it’s also an obligation – “especially to the 90 families that count on us. But all the companies that used to manufacture in the United States and have since gone – they had the same obligation, too.” Rogier says her goal is to see Karges continue. It is a challenge to find younger people who enjoy working with wood, as well as a struggle to find domestic suppliers. She says finding a steady supply of materials, such as high-quality brasses and veneers, is an issue. “But, we have great industry partners, and we hope that our commitment to staying here encourages them to do the same,” she notes. “It won’t get easier in the years to come, but it’s worth the battle.” |
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