by MORGANTON, N.C. – Stressless Mike and Max power recliners are now being assembled at the J.E. Ekornes USA facility in Morganton, North Carolina.
Over the past two years, these models were produced in Ekornes’ Thailand production facilities.
“We could not be more excited to bring Stressless recliner assembly to the USA,” says president, Peter Bjerregaard, Ekornes, Inc. “Up until now we have only had the capacity for Stressless sofas and Stressless Dining chairs, and this key move will greatly reduce our lead times for these two popular Stressless recliners. Introduced in 2020 to our retail partners, the Stressless Mike and Max have quickly
become some of our top-selling power recliners.”
The company said the move is part of an effort to expand capacity in the U.S. to increase the growth of the company’s North American business and reduce product delivery times to consumers.
“The expansion of Morganton will set us up to be the best partner to our retailers for the future,” Bjerregaard said. “With a robust annual sales event calendar and ongoing national marketing, we are poised for growth well into the future.”
The move follows an expansion of the Morganton, North Carolina, plant this past April that added 100,000 sq ft of production and
warehouse space, which will boost capacity to more than 70 percent more seats per day by year-end. The plant also hired more than 50 full-time employees for various positions.
“This expansion has so many benefits to the North American business, and it will surely distinguish us from our competitors who only make or source products abroad.” says Randy Tallent, president, J. E. Ekornes USA.
“North America makes up the largest market for Ekornes’ global business in terms of revenue and sales potential,” added Peter Bjerregaard. “Our Stressless business is thriving, and this expansion is a very positive display of the company’s dedication and support to our market, our retail partners and consumers here in the US, Canada and Mexico.”
Officials said that the Morganton operation also produces all Stressless sofas sold in North America, including motorized sofas, as well as Stressless dining chairs, ottomans, and accessories. The company also offers a quick ship/stocking recliner program out of a New Jersey warehouse.
J.E. Ekornes opened in 2012 and is located at 115 Wamsutta Mill Rd, Morganton, NC 28655. It was the company’s first major manufacturing facility outside of Norway.
