Abstract
The current study examines Romweber Furniture Factory, particularly its history, status, and future problems. It explains that the firm was formed through the merger of Batesville Cabinet, American Furniture, and Batesville Coffin companies. It also notes that the Romweber Company increased its sales volume through various promotions and, hence, improved its competitiveness. The paper then traces the history of the business from the merger of previously independent firms. It then describes the company’s method of trading products across the United States and its effort to overcome the Great Depression through the sale of five-pound fruitcake boxes. After 1959, the business began diversifying and increasing the sale of its products and, hence, expanded rapidly. It also received various awards for its role in promoting affordable housing. Presently, however, the firm faces stiff competition from emerging businesses, as well as international companies that specialize in furniture. The study, therefore, recommends the formulation of new strategies to allow the firm increase its competitiveness and avoid a business closure in the future.
Introduction
Romweber Furniture Factory is among the most experienced furniture producers in the American market (Romweber Marketplace, 2014). It was established following the merging of three companies, which specialized in different markets within the furniture industry. Following the unification, the Batesville Carving Company changed its name to Batesville Bracket Factory but it later collapsed. Over years, the firm has expanded its operations in terms of its products and market locations (Romweber Marketplace, 2014). Recently, however, Romweber Company decided to dispose of a section of the factory in its effort to drive diversification. In addition, the business has focused on increasing its sales volume by engaging in market promotions. Collectively, the strategies have enhanced the competitiveness of the firm. Moreover, they have encouraged tourists to visit Batesville. However, some of the challenges that the company will face in the future include cultural challenges, as well as the increasing competition from emerging businesses. The rising competition due to the emergence of new firms will drive Romweber Company to re-strategize its method of operation in order to overcome the competition and thrive.
Early Years
The history of Romweber Furniture Factory goes back to the late nineteenth century and the three firms from which the Factory emerged. The businesses were the Batesville Cabinet, American Furniture, and Batesville Coffin companies. The three firms began operations in 1879 (Hurst, 2014). The Batesville Cabinet manufactured dining room furniture while the American Furniture Company specialized in bedroom furniture. Batesville Coffin, however, specialized in the production of coffins (Romweber Marketplace, 2014). The American Furniture Company in Batesville, on the other hand, emanated from the Batesville Carving Company founded in 1866 by Fredrick Greemann. Herman Schrader created the Schrader Furniture Company in 1875 with the inclusion of a general store near the factory (Hurst, 2014). However, in 1876 he sold the store to Hillenbrand’s sons, John and William Hillenbrand, who engaged in dry goods and grocery (Romweber Marketplace, 2014). Additionally, Schrader and his associates established the American Furniture Company in 1879, which was taken over by John Hillenbrand as its sole proprietor in 1885. However, the partnership was dissolved in 1887 when John took over his brother’s assets (Hurst, 2014).
In 1870, the Batesville Carving Company was changed into the Batesville Bracket factory but it collapsed because of fire. During the period, the American Furniture Company continued manufacturing furniture for bedrooms and Batesville cabinet focused on the production of furniture for dining rooms (Romweber Marketplace, 2014).
When the three businesses merged, they began sharing a sales force. Thus, the salespersons traveled across the country, calling upon the directors of funeral homes, as well as the owners of furniture stores. In their travels, the salespeople would urge the furniture shops’ owners and managers to purchase their goods (Hurst, 2014). As a result, products were traded and transported from coast to coast, a business method that was rare at the time.
The years between 1930 -1959
Between 1930 and 1959, the Great Depression challenged the operations of most businesses including the Romweber Furniture Factory. However, Romweber manufactured and sold five-pound fruitcake boxes, which allowed the company to thrive (Romweber Marketplace, 2014). Therefore, the survival of the business hinged on its ability to adjust and manufacture high-demand products during the difficult economic times.
During the World War 2, the Romweber Furniture Factory’s versatility became evident when the firm began making pontoons and ammunition boxes for the American Troops, as well as furniture for the officers' quarters.
Beyond 1960
After 1959, Romweber Furniture expanded and began making furniture for various schools and colleges. Institutions such as Indiana University, Xavier University, Purdue, Miami University, and Notre Dame purchased the company’s furniture for their dorms and classrooms (Romweber Marketplace, 2014). The schools preferred Romweber to other businesses because the firm provided durable furniture. The quality of their work prevailed and more than forty years later, the company is still manufacturing furniture products for some of the institutions.
Richard Behlmer, a dedicated worker to Romweber Furniture from 1962 until 2008 says, “Romweber’s most well known collection of furniture was called the Viking Oak Collection. The captain’s chairs and poker tables were our top sellers from that collection” (Find The Best, 2014). In the 1930s, Romweber, the founder’s grandson, made business travels to Norway. In Norway, he received inspiration in the creation of a furniture line based on Nordic design. Consequently, his line of innovation saw the emergence of the Viking Oak, which was popular from 1935 to 1987 (Romweber Marketplace, 2014).
The Romweber Furniture Factory has enjoyed the pleasure of serving prominent people such as the United States’ Presidents and the loyalty from Saudi Arabia. Moreover, the firm was responsible for furnishing Emory University’s Carter library, as well as the governors’ mansions (Find The Best, 2014). The high quality and customer-friendly cost of Romweber’s furniture have made the name Romweber a leading brand in the furniture market for more than 130 years. In the business, the manufacturing processes involve the use of maple solids and veneers matched from hands (Find The Best, 2014). The high-quality products manufactured by the company include home office units, wall systems, and entertainment units. The business lies in a facility measuring 450,000 square foot. The building comprises of interesting traditional artisanship timber; floors made of hardwood and walls constructed using bricks (Romweber Marketplace, 2014).
Recently, however, the Romweber Company decided to dispose of about 180,000 sq foot of the factory. In addition, it initiated plans to increase the company's sales, explore new opportunities in the furniture market, and organize various promotional events. Collectively, the new developments have led to the promotion of the marketplace. Further, they have attracted tourists to the historic city of Batesville (Martinez et al., 2009).
In 2012, the Romweber Company expanded its business operations to flats and built more than 50 senior apartments. The housing units consisted of less than two-bedroom apartments fitted with facilities for the handicapped. The apartments had dryers and washers on each floor, and a parking area at the main entrance (Romweber Marketplace, 2014). As a result, the Romweber Company won an award, in 2014, for creative thinking and solid community planning (Romweber Marketplace, 2014). The accolade recognized the firm as an innovative organization that focuses on the interests of the residents and the town. Primarily, the company received the award because of the affordable apartments it had built in downtown Batesville, Indiana. The company was also recognized for its involvement in the offering of Medicaid vouchers aimed at assisting residents with living expenses (Romweber Marketplace, 2014).
The company has engaged in numerous commendable activities such as cultural enterprises and commercial ventures that have connected various artists to a wider market. However, there are challenges that hinder the business’ success. Some of the future challenges that the firm will face include the emergence of companies offering similar products and at relatively affordable prices (Martinez et al., 2009). Such developments will require the Romweber Company to formulate new business approaches in order to maintain its competitiveness. Moreover, industrialization has led to the creation of foreign markets that have introduced different lines of goods and services to the American market. Therefore, Romweber Company may need to secure it local market by opening various branches across the nation. However, such an approach may not stabilize the firm adequately because it lacks business operations in other countries. Consequently, the situation may cause overshadowing by international markets. The encroachment of international business into the future market may create a competitive disadvantage on the part of the Romweber Company. Thus, the company may be forced to shut down its operations or venture into other business lines.
Conclusion
Romweber Furniture Factory is a successful business that has been in operation for several decades. Since its establishment, the firm has utilized an effective marketing strategy that allowed the company to thrive even during the difficult economic period that occurred between 1930 and 1959. The business produces quality furniture products that have attracted various institutions and organization. In addition, the Factory has focused on community development by helping members of the community acquire affordable housing. Unfortunately, the firm faces different challenges in its business market. For example, there are emerging companies venturing into the furniture industry. Moreover, Romweber Furniture Factory lacks business operations in foreign countries and, hence, may lack the resources to compete adequately with international firms. Therefore, the company should devise new strategies in order to increase its competitiveness.
References
Find The Best. (2014). Romweber Company. Find The Best. Retrieved from http://companies.findthebest.com/l/354697/TheRomweber-Company-in-Batesville-IN
Hurst, S. (2014). Factory Man: How One Furniture Maker Battled Offshoring, Stayed Local. Library Journal, 139(11), 102.
Martinez-Soria, V., Gabaldón, C., Penya-Roja, J. M., Palau, J., Alvarezornos, F. J., Sempere, F., & Soriano, C. (2009). Performance of a Pilot-Scale on Filter in Controlling the Volatile Organic Compound Emissions in a Furniture manufacturing Facility. Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association, 59(8), 998-1006. Retrieved from: DOI: 10.3155/1047-3289.59.8.998
Romweber Marketplace. (2014). History. Romweber Marketplace. Retrieved from: http://www.romwebermarketplace.com/history
