Benzinga | Sep 27, 2021 04:51PM EDT

Ethan Allen Plans To Expand Manufacturing Production In Vermont, Announces New Job Openings And Increases Wages

Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. ("Ethan Allen" or the "Company") today reaffirmed its commitment to maintain and grow its North American workshops where customization helps create relevant and quality products. To further this commitment, Ethan Allen is actively recruiting new employees for its manufacturing operations in both Beecher Falls and Orleans, Vermont despite escalating manufacturing costs.



Kathwari stated, "We are pleased to see our business continue to be strong as we work to deliver customer orders and help them make their home a haven. Our commitment to manufacturing most of our own products has proven both a strategic and a branding advantage. We are fortunate to have maintained and grown our manufacturing facilities in North America which enables us to be in a better position to serve our clients. We also continue to make major investments in technology."



During a recent visit to Vermont, Kathwari was reminded of the Company's vibrant local history, which spans nearly 90 years. Ethan Allen is proud to be one of the Northeast Kingdom's largest employers. "We're named after one of Vermont's most revered historical figures, and we started our business in Beecher Falls in 1932," says Kathwari. "Many of the associates in our Vermont plants are from families that have worked with us for generations."



Kathwari continued, "However, during the last twenty years our production in Vermont has had major declines due to a number of factors including the shortage of labor and the escalation of manufacturing costs. Our growth and future expansion depends on attracting and retaining strong talent while also controlling major costs of manufacturing in Vermont including escalating state income taxes, property taxes, and costs of electricity."

As part of its strategy to attract and retain strong talent, the Company recently increased its starting wage to $16.00 an hour as well as provided increases for those more experienced associates, a move that Kathwari hopes will attract and retain a new generation of craftspeople to Ethan Allen's team of artisans. "Competitive wages, along with our strong focus on safety, excellent medical benefits, steadfast environmental commitment, and unrivaled reputation for quality has always made our workshops an exceptional place to build a career," Kathwari noted.



In addition to two manufacturing workshops in Vermont, Ethan Allen also operates a Design Center on the western side of the state in Shelburne. Ethan Allen values the contributions of its Vermont associates and looks forward to continued growth in the region.



"I am pleased that we have made the decision to add more associates and increase base wages in Vermont, and I am confident that this will help us attract additional talented people including those just getting started," Kathwari concluded.