by The exec discusses the October market, the company’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy and what the future looks like for both Southern Motion and Fusion Furniture
PONTOTOC, Miss. — Just before the October High Point Market, industry veteran Matt Harrison became an executive consultant for SoMo Home, the rebranded Southern Motion upholstery specialist and its sister company Fusion Furniture.
Harrison brings decades of industry experience to the role, most recently having been president of Kuka Home North America and before this executive vice president of sales North America. He also has executive-level sales and management experience at Kuka Motion, Man Wah and Avanti Furniture.
He joined the company less than two months after Southern Motion filed for Chapter 11 and less than a year after Hong Kong-based Man Wah purchased Southern Motion and Fusion Furniture in December 2025.
Harrison recently shared some thoughts with Home News Now about his role at SoMo, the company’s lineup at the October market — including a new stationary upholstery line — and how he sees the brand moving forward through its Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Home News Now: Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us, Matt. How was the October market for SoMo?
Harrison: Honestly, we had a great market. From being owned by a private equity company, to being bought by Man Wah, to filing Chapter 11, every customer I had a chance to talk to was encouraging and supportive of our future. They know we’ll build on our team, and knowing the financial powerhouse behind us strengthens their commitment.
HNN: You are no stranger to dealing with challenges in your various industry positions. How has that experience guided you in your current role?
Harrison: When I became president of Kuka six years ago, the company had been through three presidents in three years. That created an unstable environment, but after a couple of years, customers saw the team we built and saw the stability, and that’s when they went all in and Kuka really took off. I see the same thing starting here. Do we have issues I inherited? Yes. Do we have issues stemming from our Chapter 11 filing? Yes. One by one we’re tackling the rough spots, improving old processes and using advanced machinery to make us lean and efficient.”
HNN: What’s the next step in the Chapter 11 process for SoMo?
Harrison: SoMo Home is in talks with its landlord to renegotiate its leases or buy the facilities it operates in. The company has also looked at several other buildings nearby in case those talks don’t produce a favorable result, and we expect an announcement about the company’s future home soon.
Man Wah’s commitment goes beyond the purchase price. The parent company has shipped state-of-the-art machinery from Asia to Pontotoc to make SoMo Home as vertically integrated as possible, from pouring its own foam to laser cutting fabric and leather. Southern Motion and Fusion have built great reputations in this industry, and I have zero doubt we will continue to build our SoMo Home team, and we will become a great special-order, made-in-the-USA manufacturer again.
HNN: That said, can you tell us more about the product mix at the October market?
Harrison: October marked SoMo Home’s first market with new product on the stationary side, led by Rich Favata, who joined the company about eight months ago. Rich and I have worked together before, and he brings a lot of energy and passion for creating new palettes and updating classic styles with on-trend cover combinations.
HNN: You also introduced a new category called Grand Living, which has what you describe as “fresh styles with size and scale at aggressive price points.”
Harrison: Yes, this drew a lot of excitement on the showroom floor. Across both stationary and motion, SoMo Home is leaning on a capability few competitors can match: special orders at its price points. Retailers also got an early look at what’s coming in motion: cleaner styles with the size and scale that imports struggle to deliver because of container limits.
Another bright spot is Revive, SoMo Home’s in-stock warehouse program. It pairs stationary groups in 100% top-grain leather with a broad assortment of leather and fabric motion, ready to ship right away. We plan to keep expanding this from market to market.
HNN: Any other initiatives you can tell us about coming out of market?
Harrison: One of the company’s major growth categories is a selection of SoMo Home brand packages for retailers. The packages combine stationary and motion, complete with special-order options, and come in three different footprints. Each arrives with point-of-purchase material, hangtags and signage for the retailer’s floor. Customers have reacted really well to the packages. I’ve been extremely impressed with the buy-in from our huge dealer base.”
HNN: You also have noted that the company has “a team built for stability.” Any recent hires you’d like to mention?
Harrison: We recently brought on Joelle Kuhlman as executive vice president of North American sales. Bringing Joelle to the company has been a blessing. Her experience and knowledge in the industry add to the trust and stability our customers are looking for. I also have an incredibly passionate team of men and women in Mississippi who have stuck with us. This year the company also marks its 30th year in business. For 30 years, Pontotoc has been building furniture America sits on. With SoMo Home and Man Wah behind us, we’re laying the foundation for the next 30.
