07/06/2017

The next time you’re shopping for a new sofa at Pottery Barn or West Elm take a close look at the tag. There’s a chance it was manufactured in North Carolina.

Sutter Street Manufacturing, a Williams-Sonoma, Inc. operation, recently announced plans to create 72 new jobs with an expansion in Catawba County.  The upholstered furniture manufacturing company plans to invest $1.9 million over three years to upgrade its facilities in Claremont.

Sutter Street Manufacturing was established by Williams and Sonoma in 2007, employing just 25 associates at the time. The company produces quality upholstered home furnishings for Williams-Sonoma, Inc. through brands like Pottery Barn, West Elm, and Williams-Sonoma Home.

Today Sutter Street Manufacturing employs 583 associates, and plans to hire 72 more full time employees over the next three years. While compensation will vary by position, average salaries for the new jobs associated with the One NC grant are expected to be $47,840, which is above Catawba County’s current average annual wage of $39,780.

“Ten years ago, we decided to invest in North Carolina and Catawba County because of the vast pool of skilled furniture craftsmen and women. Our talented associates are second to none and critical to the success of our organization,” said Darryl Webster, Vice President of Sutter Street Manufacturing. “North Carolina and Catawba County have been valuable business partners working hand in hand with us to drive success. We are excited about our growth and look forward to continuing our partnership.”

A performance-based grant of $300,000 from the One North Carolina Fund will help facilitate Sutter Street Manufacturing’s expansion in Catawba County. The One NC Fund provides financial assistance to local governments to help attract economic investment and to create jobs. Companies receive no money upfront and must meet job creation and capital investment targets to qualify for payment. All One NC grants require a matching grant from local governments and any award is contingent upon that condition being met.

In addition to North Carolina Commerce and the Economic Partnership of North Carolina, other key partners in the project include the N.C. General Assembly, the North Carolina Community College System, the City of Claremont, Catawba County, Duke Energy, the N.C. Department of Transportation and the Western Piedmont Council of Governments.

“North Carolina is home to some of the most skilled furniture talent in the world,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “It’s that talent that keeps furniture manufacturers here, and this expansion is a testament to the health of the furniture industry in North Carolina.”