Ranked as the USA’s sixth largest publicly traded furniture producer, Hooker Furniture plans to close its Pleasant Garden, N.C. plant by October 2005. The company stated that it has taken this decision in an attempt to better match domestic manufacturing capacity to demand.

"While we deeply regret having to displace a group of loyal, hard-working employees, the dynamics of the furniture industry today dictate an increasing reliance on offshore manufacturing in order to meet customer expectations and deliver the greatest possible value to consumers and retailers," said Paul B. Toms Jr., chairman and chief executive officer.

The 300,000 square foot plant employs approximately 280 employees, representing about 16% of the company's total workforce, and produces some of the company's home office and home entertainment furniture.