Jeff Linville
Closes U.S. warehouse

HICKORY, N.C. — Case goods importer Global Furniture is closing its U.S. warehouse to focus on its direct container program.

The company, which has offered both direct container and warehouse service, has seen business shift to large accounts that want the cost savings that come with containers from Asia, said majority shareholder and President Jim Jones.

Global is selling off about $4 million in warehouse inventory to help pay back the loan it took out to open the facility in Trumann, Ark., he said.

Jones said he isn’t sure that “an ongoing, continual appearance at trade shows” is necessary for the company, so it has given up its space in High Point’s Profit Center building to P.T. Millenia, another case goods importer. He said Global probably won’t have a presence in High Point this April.

P.T. Millenia, which has been a Global supplier, now is marketing its own line as Millenia USA. Jones said Global has been using other sources, and future dealings with P.T. Millenia will depend on whether it’s a good fit for both parties.

Global, which markets its line as Heirloom Traditions by Global Furniture, is not affiliated with Global Furniture USA, which is based in New Jersey and has shown in Plaza Suites at High Point.