Furniture World News Desk on
2/15/2024
Gat Creek has announced the completion of its factory expansion, marking a significant development in domestic manufacturing within the furniture industry.
CEO Gat Caperton has been a proponent of domestic production since acquiring the company three decades ago. Despite skepticism about his commitment to American manufacturing, Caperton has maintained his stance. “When I bought the company 30 years ago and determined to build 100% in America, folks in the industry looked at me as though I was crazy,” he stated. “Today, people have rediscovered an appreciation for American manufacturing and what makes us different and better.”
Caperton attributes the company’s emphasis on accountability as a key differentiator. “When you live and work in the same place you are accountable for what you do. You are responsible for doing what’s right for the environment, what’s right for the consumer, and what’s right for employees because we look them in the eye every day. Someone across the world isn’t accountable for any of that.”
The 2.5-year expansion project, which increased the factory’s size by 40%, represents a substantial investment in technology. This technology is intended to automate repetitive tasks, allowing the company to double its production capacity while enabling workers to concentrate on the craftsmanship of their products.
Caperton notes that the expansion brings benefits to multiple stakeholders. “Customers, dealers, and designers will see more choices and even faster delivery, employees have a clean, safe modern place to work and the region will benefit from the growth,” he expressed.
With the use of technology, Gat Creek aims to remain competitive in American furniture manufacturing. Caperton reflects on the industry’s changes: “It takes a lot of capital to build furniture in America, but we can be competitive thanks to the technology. Maybe it’s impossible to get back to where this industry once was, but it sure feels nice that the pendulum is swinging back.”
About Gat Creek
Gat Creek is a solid wood, American-made furniture factory in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia making products in a range of contemporary and traditional styles. Over 240 designs are made-to-order in four wood species, sixty-four finishes and several hardware options. Each piece is personally signed and dated by the builder. The Company is a founding member of the Sustainable Furnishings Council and holds Silver Exemplary status.