Klaussner® Home Furnishings Hires Gary McCray to Lead Entry into Outdoor Living Category

Furniture World News Desk on 4/19/2014

Industry veteran, Gary McCray, has joined the Klaussner Home Furnishings team.  McCray will spearhead Klaussner’s entrance into the Outdoor Living category, which will operate under a new brand to be announced by Klaussner. The independent division will be marketed through a variety of channels including outdoor category retailers, furniture stores as well as Klaussner’s existing retail partners.

“We’ve been exploring this new territory for several years,” said Klaussner President and CEO Bill Wittenberg. “With the growth among traditional furniture buyers it includes the core of today’s market. There’s never been a better time to add outdoor to our portfolio of products and no one is better equipped to do that than Gary.”

Bringing more than 25 years of experience in the outdoor category to the Klaussner, McCray comes to Klaussner Home Furnishings from Heritage Home Group where he most recently served as Senior Vice-President of Sales, Designer Brands. Prior to this appointment, McCray was president of Lane Venture for five years culminating a tenure that spanned 34 years with the company. McCray also serves as Vice Chairman of the International Casual Furniture Association.

“I’m extremely excited to be a part of Klaussner’s new endeavor,” said McCray. “I believe the combination of their expertise and capabilities as a solutions provider and my experience in outdoor furniture will catapult Klaussner into a major factor in the casual furniture category.”

One of the nation’s largest furniture companies, Klaussner continues to lead the industry in best practices and customer satisfaction offering a network of facilities to house and produce goods and worldwide import sources. The company currently offers more than 500 furniture styles with 600 fabric choices, and more than 75 leather options, and guarantees delivery of its domestic products in 21 days or less.

“We are proud of our reputation as the industry’s leading solutions provider,” said Wittenburg. “Now with our entry into the outdoor category we will be able to provide our retail partners with additional channels of distribution and new avenues for growth.”
The launch of the initial product line for the new company is slated for September 2014 at the International Casual Furniture and Accessories Market in Chicago.

For more information visit www.klaussner.com.