Thomas Russell
Importer had been in New Bern, N.C., since 1991

HIGH POINT — Case goods importer Kemp Enterprises is moving its headquarters from New Bern, N.C., to High Point.

In May, the company will complete its move to offices to 212 S. Pendleton St., off East Kivett Drive.

Kemp purchased the 115,000-square-foot building there in June 2012 for use as a warehouse. About 7,000 square feet now will be used for offices, said company President Bill Kemp. He said it makes sense to have the two operations in one location.

The company was founded in Greensboro, N.C., in 1990 and has been based in New Bern since 1991.

Kemp said his vice president of marketing, Randol Smith, and vice president of merchandising, Jim Dobbins, already live in the High Point area and have offices at the warehouse. 

“We are putting our organization under one roof, which I think will be a positive for us,” Kemp said. “You can’t communicate as well being in two places.”

Eight of the 30 people working in New Bern will move to High Point, he said. The company will hire 10 more workers here, he added.

Kemp also will install an SAP software system, which essentially will replace three existing account and order entry programs. The new program will allow customers and vendors to check on orders and related product information.

Smith said he is looking forward to the changes.

“Internally and externally, it definitely will improve upon our communication to our supply base, and most importantly, to our customers,” he said. “Information and technology is key to service in these times.”