Michigan-based furniture and clock company to close after nearly 100 years in business

A family-owned furniture and clock company based in Michigan will wind down operations after nearly a century in business.

Howard Miller Company, which was founded in 1926, will cease operations by early 2026.

“With heavy hearts, we announce that after nearly a century of crafting clocks, custom cabinets, and furniture designed to enhance your homes, Howard Miller and Hekman will be winding down operations,” the company said in a statement posted on social media. “We’re incredibly grateful for your support over the years.”

The company plans to close its headquarters location at 860 E. Main Avenue in Zeeland and lay off all 133 employees over the next nine months, according to a notice under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN).

The first round of layoffs is expected to happen between Sept. 7 and Sept. 21, 2025, and affect 18 employees.

The company’s manufacturing facility at 343 Hughes Drive in Traverse City will also close, with three employees expected to be laid off in September and two more in the fourth quarter. You can view the WARN Notice at the end of this article.

In 1983, Howard Miller bought Hekman Furniture Company in Grand Rapids, and in 1993, the company purchased Kieninger, a German company that makes completed clocks and quality clock movements.

In 1994, Howard Miller purchased Woodmark Upholstery. Hekman has plants in Michigan and North Carolina, while Woodmark Upholstery has plants in North Carolina, according to the company’s website. They are collectively known as “Howard Miller.”

For more information about the history of the company, visit here.