by In his latest video interview, Editor-at-Large Ray Allegrezza speaks with the Ashley executive about a wide range of topics from the positive retail attitude at the October High Point Market to the potential impact of trade policies under the incoming Trump administration. On the subject of potential tariffs in particular, Wanek explains how the company has a blended strategy with both imports and domestic product, noting how some 60% of what Ashley sells comes out of its domestic facilities. “We have worked hard on having a blended strategy and a domestic footprint, so we feel really good about how we are positioned as an organization,” Wanek said, noting that there could be tax benefits for companies like Ashley that manufacture in the U.S. as opposed to other companies that strictly import product.
Wanek also speaks of the strength of the recent Black Friday holiday weekend as well as the weeks prior with the election finally behind us. How that evolves in the new year remains to be seen, but Wanek himself believes that the new administration will look at policies that have been challenging for business in general and that those policies will be pro-growth for U.S.-based companies and manufacturers such as Ashley. In particular, he sees that the investments it has made in robotics and technology are starting to pay off for Ashley and “that as costs rise from overseas, we are at a better advantage than anybody in the marketplace. We really have a strong belief structure in what we’ve been doing and the investments we’ve been making.”
Click below to hear this and more in this exclusive video interview.
Great interview. I learned a lot again from reading your article. Keep up great work.
Thank you, as always, for your support of our industry, Tommy. We need more of you!