Giselle is among the Marge Carson upholstery groups that are being produced in Mexico.
POMONA, Calif. — Marge Carson’s recent decision to abandon case goods in Asia and focus largely on its upholstery manufacturing capabilities in Mexico represents a strategy that acknowledges some shortcomings in Asian sourcing, but also some key strengths and opportunities here in North America.
The company has been producing furniture in Mexico for more than two decades, although most of its case goods and exposed wood upholstery has been done in Asia. It decided to exit these categories in Asia due to supply chain disruptions that caused extended lead times.
Before these supply chain issues surfaced, the company for many years found the carving and finishing capabilities — namely in the Philippines and Indonesia — were a good fit. This was not only true for the exposed wood frames on its upholstery, but for the highly traditional forms of its bedroom, dining and occasional line that featured intricate hand-carved elements and multi-step finishes.
Yet, the company made the decision in recent years that its Mexico source partners could produce similar quality, particularly in upholstery.
Thus, over the past three to five years, the company has developed new and existing pieces in Mexico. Up until recently, only about four exposed wood upholstery frames were still being produced in Asia, and those are now being moved to Mexico.
“Over the years, some of the more recent ones we just introduced from Mexico,” said Will Sharp, president, adding that more and more upholstery has migrated to Mexico in the past three to five years. “We have proven to ourselves that we can execute that in Mexico.”
In the wood segment, the company has mainly produced its Palo Alto bedroom in Mexico, with another 20-plus collections produced in Asia. Those collections are being discontinued, essentially leaving the company to start with a clean slate on new collections out of Mexico.
Sharp noted that while producing and finishing wood upholstery frames is totally different from case goods, the capabilities are there to grow the line from Mexico. It will start with bedroom but slowly will migrate to occasional and dining in the near future.
“We have been executing all our finishes in Mexico for a long time now,” he said. “We know that there is a difference between doing the top of a dresser and the leg of a sofa, but the quality and expertise of our finishing, it is already there. We have been doing beds and nightstands and dressers, and we can expand on that. Our finishes our current and will remain current, and as time goes forward, we will introduce new finishes.”
He acknowledged that while it will take some time to develop new case goods collections, retailers understand the company’s decision and strategy.
“The feedback we are getting is that retailers are going to miss the collections we had, but several of them are saying ‘You will have so much better control of what you sell to us,’” Sharp noted. “They said it is a transition, but that it does position you well.”
“This move positions Marge Carson strongly for 2021 and beyond,” echoed Jim LaBarge, CEO, noting that the company will continue to focus on upholstery, living room, family room and bedroom that emphasize the “leadership design, custom details and luxury fabrics Marge Carson is known for.”
“We are also excited to be preparing for the June High Point Market, when we will introduce new upholstery frames, additions to the Palo Alto custom bedroom line and many new fabrics,” LaBarge added.
Sharp noted that Tijuana is the main region where the company is sourcing right now. However, he said the company also is open to looking at new regions that can produce furniture.
“There are some other areas of Mexico that make wonderful product,” he said. “There is great workmanship coming out of there, and as we move forward, it is inevitable that we look at other regions that have other capabilities.”
The company will maintain its corporate headquarters in Pomona, Calif., housing administrative offices, customer service, as well as marketing, design and accounting.
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January 19, 2021 at 06:05PM
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