Vermont Precision Woodworks to close

By Tanya K. Merritte -- Kids Today, 4/9/2008 9:22:00 AM

AT THE MARKET — Case goods manufacturer Vermont Precision Woodworks has announced that it will cease domestic production by the end of June as the company shifts to an all-import line.

Geoffrey Jackson, president of the Morrisville, Vt.-based manufacturer, said the company will accept orders through April 30 and will offer full delivery through May and June. Bolton Furniture, Vermont Precision’s import division that specializes in youth furniture, will remain in business.

Jackson said market conditions in the past few years for domestically produced case goods proved difficult to overcome, noting that sales had been falling for about seven years. “It was just time,” he said.

Vermont Precision was founded in April 1989 as a youth specialist. To help bolster sales in recent years, the company had added master bedroom and some home office, and has offered its youth collections in a myriad of finish options. Efforts to cut costs by consolidating plant operations and other overhead costs last year proved futile.

The shutdown will affect about 20 workers, and Jackson said the company plans to offer them assistance finding new jobs. Other workers and the office staff will remain on board to help with the Bolton side of the business.

Jackson said that while shuttering Vermont Precision was a difficult decision, the staff can now concentrate efforts on Bolton, which was founded in 2005. Products are sourced in China, with prices that are about 50% less than the Vermont Precision line. Jackson said the division was growing rapidly.

“We can spend 100% of our time on what is working,” said Ted Weber, sales and marketing manager.

Bolton Furniture and Vermont Precision are showing here in the International Home Furnishings Center, H-520.