by HICKORY, N.C. – Century Furniture and Hickory Chair parent RHF Investments has acquired the operations and assets of upholstery manufacturer Classic Leather and sister company St. Timothy Chair, a manufacturer of contract seating and tables.
The company did not reveal the purchase price or other specifics relating to the transaction.
Classic Leather is a 56-year-old manufacturer of high-end upholstery founded by Tom Shores Sr. in 1966. It produces its line in a 125,000-square-foot facility in the Hickory area of North Carolina where RHF also is based.
RHF Investments did say that the purchase will gradually boost the upholstery production capacity for the Rock House Farm brands that also include Jessica Charles, Highland House, Maitland-Smith and Cabot Wrenn. The company said the Classic Leather plant employs more than 80 workers and that RHF will continue to grow the workforce over the next several months.
“Classic Leather has a legacy of crafting high-quality upholstery with highly skilled employees,” said Alex Shuford III, chief executive officer of Rock House Farm. “We could not be more excited to welcome this strong group of artisans into Rock House Brands production. We will work to continue the legacy that the Shores Family has created.”
Tom Shores Jr., president and owner of Classic Leather, said that the line has continued to be entirely produced in the Hickory area of North Carolina since its founding in 1966. He added that the purchase will only build on the legacy created by his father.
“Since the founding of Classic Leather in 1966, we have crafted high quality, artisan furniture, entirely manufactured in Hickory, North Carolina,” he said. “Our partnership with RHF represents tremendous opportunity for our employees, and for the legacy of Classic Leather and its founder Tom Shores Sr. In fact, this partnership feels in many ways full circle to us. My father started his career in furniture manufacturing with Century Furniture, working closely with Harley Shuford, who remained a mentor and lifelong friend even after my father started Classic Leather. We are so excited about this opportunity and and enthusiastic about working with the Century Furniture brands and RHF Investments.”
