Family-made furniture

Dating back more than a century, Norwalk Furniture has provided custom, high-end furniture pieces to area residents. Since then, the business that began in 1902 has gone through many changes, facing some of the hardest economic times ever seen, but has stayed a thriving company. The company, located at 100 Furniture Parkway off of Woodlawn Avenue, fell into hard times during the economic downturn in 2008, and after fear that the business wouldn't survive, 12 local families banded together and found investors to keep Norwalk Furniture intact. Since then, Norwalk Furniture has been employee-owned and operated. "It's been a very cool journey," Caroline Hibbel, president of Norwalk Furniture, said. "To be able to pay investors back, and to have employees chipping in, because the whole goal is to keep this American craftsmanship." Hibbel said that it still feels like a family business. Especially since many of their employees have worked for the company for decades, and had relatives in older generations who also worked for the company. "I was here from 86 to 97, and then I left," material handler John Kilbride said. "But then I came back in 2011 so I have been working here collectively, for 23 years. My father was a truck driver here for 30 years. "This place is just a staple in the community," Kilbride added. "If you are from here, I'm sure you've noticed." Keeping the business centered around family and the community is something that its staff prioritizes, especially by having employees that stay for a long time. "All of these guys have been with us forever," Hibbel said. "Our vice president of manufacturing has worked here for 40 years, and our vice president of marketing has been here 49 years, so we have a lot of longevity. Some of these people had parents or grandparents, aunts and uncles that worked here as well." Norwalk Furniture's products are unique and forever changing. "Every piece of furniture is custom made," the business' vice president of marketing, Sheila Buckingham, said. "There's nothing pre-made, it's all made to order. That's what makes us a good custom company, and we get to do different things to keep styles unique." Each part of the furniture-making process is custom-built and handmade, with different employees having a role in each step of the process. "Last year I think we made 40,000 pieces of furniture, all one at a time," Hibbel said. "When you make furniture, you want to make really good quality furniture, but also furniture that is easy to build. But sometimes we make really crazy things." The company tries to source a majority of its supplies and parts from the United States, and even supports local Amish families by purchasing wood from them. As well as keeping sustainability in mind, and creating products that will last a long time. "Sustainability is very important to us," Hibbel said. "It's not fast furniture that will die in two years. We really try to make a comfortable, and beautiful product that can last a lifetime."