A look back at private equity investments in the furniture industry

A look back at private equity investments in the furniture industry

The American furniture business was built by families — craftsmen who measured success in legacy, quality and relationships, not quarterly earnings. Over time, private equity firms entered the picture with promises of growth capital, “efficiency” and professionalization. Sometimes it worked. More often, it ended with layoffs, brand erosion and a going‑out‑of‑business sale. Let’s look at a few very real stories — some disastrous and two that avoi…