POTTSVILLE, Pa. – Ashley Furniture Industries (Ashley), the largest manufacturer of furniture in the world, has announced plans to open a new facility near Pottsville, Pa. The multi-million-dollar investment will create more than 50 new jobs for the area. Hiring started in early February with production beginning at the end of February. The new 100,000 sq. ft. facility, located at 50 East Keystone Boulevard, in Schuylkill County, serves as a furniture manufacturing site.
This latest addition expands the company’s already established national network of 11 production facilities servicing the U.S. The Pottsville location will work in coordination with Ashley’s Leesport advanced manufacturing and distribution facility, located roughly 25 miles to the South. The company’s multi-million-dollar investment will be put toward updating the facility along with machinery and equipment costs.
“The high-demand for furniture has led us to increase our manufacturing operations which supports brick-and-mortar retail, as well as our e-commerce growth. We are very excited to join the Pottsville community as well as continue to better serve our customers,” said Todd Wanek, President and CEO, Ashley Furniture Industries. “The investments we’re making in our company are not only significant, they demonstrate our willingness to reinvest in our people, our facilities and our machinery to ensure we are well-positioned to meet our customers’ expectations.”
“In the throws of this pandemic, we are fortunate and excited to have Ashley Furniture, a nationally recognized company, join our list of well-known firms providing employment opportunities in Schuylkill County,” noted Dave Snyder, chairman of the Schuylkill Economic Development Corporation (SEDCO), the non-profit economic development organization which helped develop the Highridge Business Park.
Established in 1945, Ashley designs, manufactures and distributes home furnishings through retail, e-commerce and wholesale markets. The company is headquartered in Arcadia, Wis., and sells furniture in more than 20,000 storefronts in 155 countries around the globe. Earlier this year, the company announced their plan to invest $1 Billion into the organization over the next 18 months to ensure their future is bright.
Ashley’s Northeast Regional Manufacturing and Distribution Center in Leesport, Pa., was established in 2004 and manufactures stationary upholstery furniture. The facility underwent a substantial distribution center expansion in 2017 and is 1,721,000 sq. ft. in size with 40 acres under roof.
Photos enclosed:
First Sofa Produced: Ron Wanek, Founder & Chairman, Ashley Furnitures Industries, autographs photo of the first piece of upholstered furniture made at the new Pottsville manufacturing facility alongside Senior VP of Global Manufacturing, Travis Wagner.
Pottsville Employees: Founder & Chairman, Ashley Furnitures Industries, Ron Wanek and Senior VP of Global Manufacturing, Travis Wagner thank Ashley employees for their dedication to quality manufacturing at the new Pottsville manufacturing facility.
Ashley Tour: (Front row, left to right) Schuylkill County Commissioner Gary Hess; Ashley Furniture Industries, Director of Operations (Pottsville) Christopher Lasecki; Ashley Furniture Industries, Senior VP of Manufacturing Travis Wagner; Ashley Furniture Industries, Founder & Chairman Ron Wanek; Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Robert S. Carl, Jr.; Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce Member Relations Director Samantha Chivinski; Cass Township Chairperson Brenda Helt; State Senator David Argall; Congressman Daniel Meuser Deputy District Director Tom Gerhard. (Back row, left to right) Ashley Furniture Industries, Senior Director of Operations Joseph Murphy; State Representative Joe Kerwin; Chairman of Schuylkill Economic Development Corporation (SEDCO) David Snyder; State Representative Jerry Knowles; State Representative Tim Twardzik; Congressman Daniel Meuser District Director Curt Coccodrilli; SEDCO President Frank Zukas; Schuylkill County Commissioner Barron “Boots” Hetherington; Ashley Furniture Industries, Director of Public Relations Cole Bawek; Ashley Furniture Industries, Public Affairs Manager Jessi Ebben
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Ashley Furniture Industries feels that every person deserves more value for their money. Established in 1945, Ashley is the largest manufacturer of home furnishings in the world, and was named one of America’s Best Employers by Forbes in 2021. From design through fulfillment, Ashley is committed to delivering the world’s best home furnishing values, selection and service, and earning the loyalty and trust of its customers every day. Visit Ashley online at www.ashleyfurnitureindustriesllc.com and “like” Ashley Furniture Industries on Facebook.
Ashley HomeStore is committed to being your trusted partner and style leader for the home. This commitment has made Ashley HomeStore the largest retail furniture store brand in North America and one of the world’s best-selling furniture store brands with more than 1,050 locations in 60 countries.
Start designing your dream home today. Visit Ashley HomeStore online at www.ashleyhomestore.com. “Like” Ashley HomeStore on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram , or see our design-focused boards on Pinterest.
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