Georgia Chair Company Celebrates 100th Anniversary

Furniture World News Desk on 10/28/2014

In conjunction with Georgia Chair’s 100th anniversary,  the company announced an exclusive international trade agreement with Merjas Business Holding in Saudi Arabia, new partnerships, and the creation of 100+ manufacturing jobs in Georgia. In addition, Merjas Business Holding will be adding 150+ jobs for women in Saudi Arabia in support of the Saudi Women’s Empowerment Movement. The 100th anniversary will also mark the implementation of a new marketing plan, a press release campaign, and an October 10th event to thank employees, customers, partners and friends.

“We are very proud of our long heritage,” says President Harry Bagwell, a third-generation leader of Georgia Chair. “At this milestone, we reaffirm the company’s founding values of making quality-made furniture and continue to build strong relationships within the Gainesville community and throughout the world. We also recognize that this would not be possible without the support of all of our outstanding employees, who take an enormous amount of pride in all they do.”

Georgia Chair provides furniture for libraries, businesses and homes, including bookcases, science, kitchen and dining tables, children’s furniture, chairs, stools and rockers. Georgia Chair is one of the last remaining manufacturers of solid oak school furniture in the United States, and all of their products are currently made in Gainesville, Georgia.

Only materials from the USA make it inside the plant, and therefore they can truly say their furniture is “100% Made in the USA.” American and sustainable, because Georgia Chair was green long before green became popular. Every inch of that American wood is used to create furniture and feed the boiler.

A Bit of History

Georgia Chair Company is one of the oldest industries in town. Several oak trees greet folks when they visit the factory, and the single oak tree in front of the office is part of their logo.

The local community certainly recognizes the steam whistle that blows four times every workday. First blown in 1941, when the building received new steam boilers, the whistle helps employees keep on schedule throughout the day. This familiar sound travels for several miles.

The company was started in Flowery Branch in 1914 by J. B. and H. L. Edmondson. Harry Bagwell Sr. was running all plant operations. A fire destroyed the first plant in 1921, forcing them to move—and move closer to the fire department!

“We’re proud to be one of the oldest industries, and prouder still to have been operating on Industrial Boulevard, in Gainesville, Georgia, since 1923,” says President Harry Bagwell. “Longevity of our employees here is also very common; most have been with us 12 years or longer.”

Georgia Chair is large enough to handle quantity orders and versatile enough to meet an array of specific requirements. They hold many items in stock for immediate shipment. Their basic products—chairs, tables, stools and rockers—have changed only in design over the years. Georgia Plastic, a part of the company, makes laminated tops for its tables.

Georgia Chair products sell all over the United States, in the Caribbean and even in some South Pacific islands. Rockers are claimed as their signature piece and are always in demand. Their rockers can be found at the finest resorts in the United States, including Marriott, Ritz Carlton, and The Grand Hotel on Mackinaw Island, MI.

The manufacturing process blends old-fashioned handcrafted methods of woodworking with modern industrial techniques to produce time-proven mortice and tenon joints faster and more accurately than ever before, and electronic gluing produces panels of ultimate strength and durability. Hand sanding of all the edges and surfaces ensures a well-finished, quality product.

Each item that leaves the plant results from hard work, quality materials, and time-tested American know-how. That’s why they know you’ll be satisfied. In fact, they are so sure their customers will be satisfied that they are now offering a 100-year warranty on certain home products like the rocker.

At the century mark, Georgia Chair Company reaffirms their founding values and celebrates the spirit of sharing, hard work, commitment and craftsmanship of all the dedicated folks who have made Georgia Chair a better company.

About Georgia Chair Company: Georgia Chair Company was founded on American Quality, American Value and American Made. Pride in craftsmanship and quality is still the standard, and always will be. Georgia Chair provides furniture for schools, libraries, businesses and homes, including bookcases, science, kitchen, and dining tables, children’s furniture, chairs, stools and rockers. For more information visit www.georgiachair.com or email julie@georgiachair.com

About Merjas Business Holding: Merjas Business Holding is a Saudi Business Holding Company based in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia. Merjas has several companies under its umbrella, with diversified functions and activities in Saudi Arabia and abroad. The list includes: Merjas Oil and Gas Company, Merjas Catering Company, Merjas Academic Assistance and Development, Merjas Construction and Real Estate Company, and Merjas Plastic Pallet Factory.