corporate profile Orion collection
alfrescoartists Few companies stand out in
the casual industry like luxury furniture manufacturer Woodard (Coppell, Texas). Founded in 1816, Woodard has been designing, manufacturing, and distributing an amazing array of beautifully handcrafted designs featuring unmatched quality and workmanship for decades. From extruded and cast aluminum to wrought iron and woven collections, Woodard furniture has aptly come to be known as “The Art of the Patio.” Moreover, all Woodard furniture is made in the USA, manufactured at the company’s 300,000-square-foot production facility in Owosso, Michigan. “We are extremely proud of our 150-year history and of hiring U.S. workers,” says Perry Solomon, senior vice president of residential sales. Production employees are the very backbone of all Woodard furniture, as they build each piece with care and quality to provide years of enjoyment. In fact, over 50 pairs of hands will form, craft, finish, and test each Woodard product before it leaves the factory. Another distinct advantage of Woodard is its ability to offer high-end specialty retailers a truly amazing range of furniture collections and pieces in different materials from a single source. “While one of our strengths remains cushion seating—primarily transitional and traditional—we have the scope of product to cover all styles and tastes along with the ability to select over 1,000 finish and fabric combinations,” Solomon says. Indeed, Woodard offers scores of col-
lections that grace the outdoor spaces of fine homes throughout the United States. Options abound in choice of material, finish, fabric, style, and cushions with the company’s custom express program typically offering a two-week production lead time. Woodard furniture fits any décor or style. The classic Cane collection is constructed of extruded aluminum and a durable powder-coated finish while evoking the style of traditional rattan. Consumers with contemporary tastes are drawn to the sleek and modern Orion collection. The lowslung look is distinctive while the padded sling utes simply canprovides the not be accomutmost in plished with comfort for product manuyears. Beauty combines factured offwith practishore.” cality in the While furniversatile and ture production at BY KIMBERLY RODGERS transitional the factory was shut Cascade collecdown during tion. The iron frame, Michigan’s stay-at-home oversized cushions, and latticeinitiative, Woodard stepped up back chairs fit seamlessly in any outwith assistance to help in the fight door space. against the coronavirus. Part of the facSince all furniture is made in the tory was converted to enable a volunUSA, Woodard, as well as retailers, have teer team of 140 employees to make over 27,000 (non-N95) masks, which been unaffected by the ever-changing were donated to medical facilities for rounds of burdensome tariffs on prodhealthcare professionals, first responucts produced overseas. In addition, ders, and patients. “The employees that Solomon adds, “Customization, lead time, quality control, and customer serv- were involved in the production of ice are all contributing factors to masks were indeed proud and excited to Woodard’s growth. Most of these attrib- play their part in contributing to com-
48 PATIOANDHEARTHPRODUCTSREPORT.COM
Woodard crafts satisfaction through groundbreaking designs and product innovations.
Cane dining
bat COVID-19,” Solomon says. The factory has been in full production mode since reopening in early May. Everyone is working diligently to bring order lead time down to Woodard’s standard level of four weeks, Solomon says. The company plans to reinstate its popular custom express program in 2021. The utmost care has been taken to ensure employees’ safety upon their return to the factory floor. Masks are required, and social distancing is observed. In addition, barriers have been installed between all work stations within 8 feet of each other. Additionally, one-way aisles are in place in the office, commonly touched surfaces are disinfected multiple times throughout the day, and every other bathroom sink/urinal is out of service. Breaks and lunches are also staggered, and frequent hand washing is encour-