ZEELAND, Mich.  — After nearly a century of making handmade clocks and fine furniture, Howard Miller has announced it will wind down its manufacturing operations, marking the end of an era for the well-known Michigan-based company.

What You Need To Know

  • After nearly a century in business, Michigan-based Howard Miller will wind down operations 

  • The company specializes in clocks and fine furniture

  • Howard Miller employs about 195 people across its facilities in Michigan and North Carolina 

  • The company cited a "convergence of market influences beyond our control" for the closure

The third-generation family-owned business says it employs approximately 195 workers across facilities in Zeeland and Traverse City, Michigan, as well as two plants in North Carolina. Production will continue through the fourth quarter of this year, with the company remaining open into 2026 to sell its remaining inventory.

Company president and CEO Howard J.Miller, grandson of founder Howard C. Miller, cited a "convergence of market influences beyond our control" for the closure decision.

"Furniture sales are closely linked to the health of the housing market, which is struggling," Miller said. "Our hopes for a market recovery early in the year were quickly dashed as tariffs rattled the supply chain, sparked recession fears and pushed mortgage rates higher."

The company says the furniture industry has been particularly hard hit, with companies across the sector announcing plant closings and job cuts. Miller said the business has been directly impacted by tariffs that increased costs for essential components unavailable domestically and drove specialty suppliers out of business.

The closure will impact Zeeland, where Howard Miller has been a cornerstone business for generations. City Manager Jim Klunder described the news as "certainly sad," noting the company's deep ties to the community.

"They've been an icon in our community nearly a hundred years," Klunder said. "Our downtown clock towers reflect a donation from Howard Miller. Our library community center is named Howard Miller Library Community Center."  

Klunder says the closure will affect about 100 employees at the Zeeland facility and result in approximately $168,000 in annual tax revenue loss across all jurisdictions, with the city losing about $34,000 annually.

Founded in 1926 by Howard C. Miller, son of office furniture manufacturing icon Herman Miller, the company initially specialized in fine chiming wall and mantel clocks. Over the decades, it expanded to include grandfather clocks, curio cabinets and entertainment centers.

The company says despite working with an investment banker to market the company, Howard Miller has been unable to find a buyer, though Miller said they would still entertain offers from interested parties. They say employees will receive severance packages and job placement support.

"We are deeply grateful to our talented team, our committed distributors and our loyal customers who have supported us throughout the years," Miller said.