The iconic, third-generation business announced in a release on July 10th that it would shutter its manufacturing operations in 2026.
Howard Miller employs nearly 200 people at plants in Zeeland and Traverse City, as well as two sites in North Carolina. The company will wind down production after the fourth quarter, remaining open through next year to sell off inventory.
President and CEO Howard J. Miller, grandson of the company’s founder, stated, “Our business has been directly impacted by tariffs that have increased the cost of essential components unavailable domestically and driven specialty suppliers out of business, making it unsustainable for us to continue our operations.”
Howard Miller was founded in 1926 by Howard C. Miller, son of furniture legend Herman Miller, whose own furniture manufacturing business employs thousands in Zeeland.
According to the release, employees, distributors and customers were informed of the closure on July 9th. Employees will receive a severance package and job placement support.
The company looked for a buyer but could not find one and said it would still entertain offers from interested buyers.
You can read Howard J. Miller's full statement below:
“We are incredibly disappointed to have reached this point in our journey. For nearly a century, we have manufactured clocks, custom cabinets and other furniture designed to enhance the lives of our customers at home. We’ve been blessed with an incredible workforce of skilled craftspeople and professionals who enabled our company to grow and prosper for decades.
“But in recent years, a convergence of market influences beyond our control brought us to this point. Furniture sales are closely linked to the health of the housing market, which is struggling. Our hopes for a market recovery early in the year were quickly dashed as tariffs rattled the supply chain, sparked recession fears and pushed mortgage rates higher. The furniture industry continues to shed jobs and announce plant closings.
“This has been compounded by inflation and rising interest rates. Our business has been directly impacted by tariffs that have increased the cost of essential components unavailable domestically and driven specialty suppliers out of business, making it unsustainable for us to continue our operations.
“We are deeply grateful to our talented team, our committed distributors and our loyal customers who have supported us throughout the years. We will complete orders currently in process with the intent of winding down manufacturing operations and then remaining open and available into next year as the finished goods of clocks and furniture are sold through the company’s various distribution channels.”
