Factory Tours
Scott Jordan Furniture
As fate would have it, a chance encounter with a real estate developer looking for a bed led to the discovery of a niche market for high-quality bed frames. Scott designed and crafted the bed, and its success opened up a new avenue for his business. Making beds became their specialty, and they quickly gained popularity for producing sturdy, handcrafted beds using traditional techniques. The durability of their beds has become their hallmark, with Scott proudly stating that he has never had a broken bed in all the years of his business.
As Scott Jordan Furniture continued to grow, they outgrew their shop on Atlantic Avenue. In 1986, Scott moved the business to a loft building in Williamsburg, sharing the floor with another company. After a few years, both businesses were looking for new space, and a chance suggestion from a fellow floor tenant led them to the Navy Yard. “So, we were both looking, and one day this guy who shared this floor with us came and said, ‘I just saw a great space but it’s not good for me.’ And it was the Navy Yard.” It turned out to be the perfect fit for Scott Jordan Furniture. They relocated to the Navy Yard in 1988 and are there to this day.
Over the years, the furniture industry faced significant changes, including a decline in domestic manufacturing and the shift towards foreign production. Many American furniture makers, including entire industries in regions like North Carolina, disappeared due to various factors. However, Scott Jordan Furniture managed to weather these changes by focusing on niche marketing and designing furniture that catered specifically to the needs of the New York market.
Staying in New York provided unique advantages for Scott Jordan Furniture. First, the proximity to a wealthy and demanding market enabled them to cater to customers’ specific needs, especially in the confined spaces of New York apartments. The ability to offer custom-configured furniture solutions set them apart from mass-market furniture stores.
Additionally, Scott Jordan Furniture employed a lean manufacturing process, allowing them to keep inventory and work in progress to a minimum. They also developed a clever financial strategy that sometimes allowed them to deliver furniture before paying for the raw materials.
Scott Jordan Furniture’s success is built on innovative solutions and a deep understanding of their market niche. They have thrived by continuously adapting to the ever-changing demands of their customers and city. “I think our strength is the ability to configure things basically on the fly,” says Scott. “That is, we can, in a way, almost make anything if it’s within our design sense.” From repairing furniture to crafting high-quality beds and other custom furniture pieces, Scott Jordan Furniture remains a testament to the power of creativity, adaptability, and persistence in the furniture industry.