Manchester Wood: American Made Furniture

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Manchester Wood comes from a family tradition of wood products that dates back to 1891 and the sawmill operated by the great grandfather of Manchester Wood's founder, Clifford Pierce. It is a tradition that epitomizes American innovation and a dedication to high quality craftsmanship.

Cliff's Entrepreneurial Spirit

A dedicated and talented worker as well as a decorated veteran, Clifford (or “Cliff” as he was known to family and friends) apprenticed as a tool and die maker during his youth, working with wood and metal to design items such as foldable rulers. Later, in 1954, he set up his own wrought iron factory in the cellar of his home, setting out to manufacture novelty gift items.

Cliff enjoyed success with the smaller products he manufactured, which included metal napkin holders and plant stands, and sought to expand to wood as well. In 1976, he founded Manchester Wood Inc. in Manchester, Vermont and expanded from metal to focus primarily on manufacturing solid wood products.

Originally, Manchester Wood's plant occupied the entire building that is now known as the Manchester Square Shopping Center with a small gift shop in the front of the factory, selling small wood products that included towel holders and spice racks.

A Vision of Building Solid Wood Furniture

During the early 1980s, Manchester Wood transitioned from specializing in smaller wood products to focus on producing larger solid wood furniture pieces, such as Adirondack chairs, end tables, coffee tables, kitchen carts, and TV tray tables. As part of this transition, the company opened an outlet store in the Manchester Depot Station to showcase their larger products. After a number of years, this outlet location was closed and – after a five-year hiatus, moved to 4357 Main Street in Manchester where it remained until 2009.

As Manchester Wood expanded during the 1980s, its plant outgrew its original location and the company moved its manufacturing operations from Manchester to nearby Granville, NY. In 1990, it opened a 66,000 square foot plant on a 23-acre parcel of land in Granville. Despite the move, the company still has a deep connection to Manchester as several employees still hail from Manchester and the surrounding area.

Over the years, Manchester Wood has exhibited at numerous furniture trade shows across the country. The company attended the Chicago Housewares Trade Show from 1977 to 1999. It was there that Manchester Wood introduced its now famous Adirondack chairs in 1984, impressing L.L. Bean (who were already selling a folding camp table designed by Manchester Wood after meeting at the same show the previous year). The chair debuted in L.L. Bean's catalog in 1985 and has since become a brand staple.

Manchester Wood has manufactured solid wood products for a number of leading American retailers, including L.L. Bean, Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn, Plow and Hearth, Lands’ End, Ikea, JC Penney, Sears & Roebuck, Orvis, Solutions, Eddie Bauer, Macy’s, and Service Merchandise.

Since 2006, Manchester Wood has also offered their own exclusive furniture lines online as well as through select retail locations, promoting their brand legacy of family tradition in quality and customer care.