Press Room - March 6, 2008
Industry to salute NHFA Retailers of the Year
HIGH POINT, NC – Morris Furniture Co., Inc. and Great Lakes Home Furnishings are National Home Furnishings Association’s 2008 Retailers of the Year.
The industry will honor the accomplishments of these two companies at a gala dinner, reception, and awards presentation on Tuesday, April 8 during the High Point Market. The gala will be held on the Club Floor, Green Wing, International Home Furnishings Center.
Larry Klaben
Morris, headquartered in Fairborn, Ohio, operates 10 stores in Southwestern Ohio and Northern Kentucky and a Clearance Center in Fairborn. Morris is NHFA’s 2008 Retailer of the Year winner in the over- $10 million annual volume category. Great Lakes which operates three stores in Holland, St. Joseph and Grandville, Mich., took honors in the under-$10 million category.
Morris owner Larry Klaben will accept the award for his company. Great Lakes principals to share the celebratory spotlight are Ken Machiela, CEO, and Randy Wassink, president.
Ken Machiela (left) and Randy Wassink (right)
Retailers of the Year are selected on three criteria: service to the home furnishings industry, contributions to the communities where they do business, and creative leadership of their own companies.
Morris, now one of Ohio’s largest privately owned home furnishings companies with 450 employees was founded in 1947 by Morris Lieberman and his son, Bert, as a single small location near downtown Dayton, Ohio. The company was purchased by Larry Klaben in 1998.Great Lakes, now in its 44th year has its origins as a Holland, Mich. floor coverings store founded by Machiela.
Both Klaben and Machiela serve on the NHFA Board of Directors and are active in local retail activities as well as community organizations and charitable causes.
For more information, contact Mike Pierce at (800) 888-9590, ext 6130.