Ashley Furniture Hiring Hundreds In Davie County

Ashley Furniture says it plans to hire 454 new workers in Davie County after the state promised the company nearly $10 million in tax breaks.

Gov. Pat McCrory visited High Point today to make the announcement. The company has also committed to invest another $9 million in its facilities in Advance. Ashley arrived in Davie County in April 2012.

The Wisconsin-based company is the largest furniture maker in the U.S., and already employs about 1,100 North Carolina workers.

Ashley CEO Todd Wanek says he's been pleased with what he sees as a pro-business attitude in North Carolina over the past few years.

“It has been a challenging and fulfilling journey, and we look forward to a very bright future in North Carolina,” Wanek said.

Ashley's new investment comes amid some good news for the state's furniture manufacturers.

Last week, a financial advisory firm issued a report showing furniture orders are up about five percent this year over 2014's orders.

The announcement comes just days before the opening of the annual High Point Furniture Market, which brings tens of thousands of visitors to the Triad each year.