Kindel Furniture acquired by Holladay Design House

Company will be renamed Kindel Karges, reflecting key brands in its portfolio

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Luxury furniture manufacturer Kindel Furniture has been acquired by interior design and architectural specialist Holladay Design House. A purchase price and other terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

However, with the purchase, the company said it will now be known as Kindel Karges, representing its family of high-end furniture brands. The purchase also includes sister brand Councill and Kindel’s Facets custom offering for wood pieces such as chests, tables, sideboards, beds and bar cabinets.

Kindel acquired Karges in 2014 and purchased the intellectual property of luxury brand Councill in 2015.

The company said that Gretchen Keith, a fifth-generation family member of Karges who was named president and chief executive officer last summer, will remain part of the company leadership team “bringing with her a wealth of knowledge, experience and a passion for the company’s future.”

Kindel Furniture dates back to 1899 with the founding of the C.J. Kindel Bedding Co. in Denver by Charles J. Kindel, according to a brief history of the company by the Grand Rapids Historical Commission. It moved to St. Louis in 1912 and was renamed Kindel Bed Co. and in 1915 was purchased by the Kroehler Manufacturing Co. of Chicago.

According to the same history, Charles Kindel purchased the company back in 1924 and renamed it Kindel Furniture Co.

In 1964, John W. Fisher, of Muncie, Indiana, purchased the company from the Kindel family, and the Fisher family has retained ownership since that time.

“For over six decades, the Fisher family has nurtured Kindel, ensuring that the company remained a beacon of quality and craftsmanship in the furniture industry. The decision to pass the baton was not taken lightly,” the company said in a letter shared with Home News Now.

“Kindel has been more than a business; it’s been a part of our family,” Jim Fisher, son of John Fisher, said in the same letter. “We’ve watched it grow, nurtured it through challenges, and now, with full confidence, we’re entrusting it to hands that share our values and commitment.”

The letter went on to note that Holladay Design House owns multiple successful businesses across various sectors of the design industry, including interior design, residential construction, architecture and retail.

“These ventures reflect a commitment to quality and traditional design,” the letter continued. “Holladay Design House has a unique ability to blend business acumen with creative vision, resulting in a strong presence in the luxury design space. “Their experience and expertise in managing and growing design-focused businesses bring a wealth of knowledge to Kindel’s future.

“With a history of revitalizing businesses, Holladay Design House has successfully transformed struggling companies into thriving operations. Their leadership and focus on quality have earned them a respected reputation in the design and manufacturing sectors. Their work in luxury projects, combined with their operational expertise, has elevated brands within the design industry, showcasing their ability to lead Kindel into a new era.”

Over the years, Kindel has become known for its line of reproduction furniture made with mahogany, satinwood, sycamore and cherry, to name several key species. But it also has evolved with the latest design and style trends in the industry, developing a line of case goods featuring cleaner lines, updated hardware and multiple finish options that allow dealers and designers to develop their own unique pieces.

Kindel also is one of the remaining manufacturers of residential furniture in the Grand Rapids region that was once a manufacturing hub of the residential furniture industry before it moved south to North Carolina and Virginia.

“We are committed to maintaining the high standards of quality that our customers expect, while also exploring new markets, designs and perspectives,” leadership from Holladay Design House said in the letter. “Our goal is to blend tradition with innovation, ensuring that Kindel Karges continues to be a leader in American-crafted furniture.”

“With many employees having been with the company for 30-40 years, the new leadership is committed to supporting the dedicated team that has been the backbone of Kindel’s success. Together, we look forward to a bright future, building on the foundations laid by the Fisher family and leading Kindel Karges into a new era of excellence.”

Thomas Russell

Home News Now Editor-in-Chief Thomas Russell has covered the furniture industry for 25 years at various daily and weekly consumer and trade publications. He can be reached at tom@homenewsnow.com and at 336-508-4616.

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