Heath E. Combs — Furniture Today,
HIGH POINT — Bernards executive vice presidents David Ward and Jeff Friedman


have purchased the dinette, occasional and daybed importer from majority stock owner and President Robert Metzger.
 
Ward is now president and Friedman is CEO, and the two are equal partners in the company. Tom Black remains vice president of sales.
 
A purchase price was not disclosed.

Herman Bernard founded Bernards as an import company in 1983 after he sold his interest in High Point-based television cabinet resource Case-Casard, Ward said.

Experiencing health problems, Bernard sought a buyer for the company in 1994. It was sold to Massachusetts investor Robert Metzger, who in turn sold 6% interests each to Ward and Friedman.

Ward, a former Klaussner sales rep, joined the company in 1990 as sales manager. Friedman, who owned a stake in U.S. Furniture Inds. and was a grandson of that company’s founder, Stanley Taylor, joined Bernards a year later to handle product development and overseas sourcing.

Metzger initially bought the company as an investment, Ward said. He said he and Friedman began talking to him about buying the company earlier this year.

All management and employees will stay the same, Ward said, adding that other than new ownership, nothing is changing at the company.

“What we’ve had is a long history with a very loyal background. We’ve had customers since the day we opened our doors and still have them today,” he said.

The company sources about 90% of its product from Vietnam, China and Malaysia, and some furniture from Brazil.

Bernards sells to more than 2,500 retailers, with its largest accounts in the Southeast. Top customers include W.S. Badcock, Kimbrells, Farmers, Schewels, Grand Home Furnishings, Kanes and Nebraska Furniture Mart.

At market, the company shows in the International Home Furnishings Center, M-230.