For Savoy Contract Furniture, it's about both quantity and quality.
Carol Savoy, president, calls it the company's "niche market." They serve institutional and government needs, meaning the orders come with hundreds of quantities of the same item.
Stacked furniture, some finished, some in the beginning stages, and everywhere in between, fills most of the facility.
The quality reflects in the products that endure the test of time.
When Savoy displayed furniture from different decades, a chair from the 1960s for Indiana University surprised people with its excellent condition, despite its constant use.
"We're known for our durability, quality and service," Savoy said.
Savoy Contract Furniture began in 1946, originally known as Savoy's Machine Woodcarving Shop, in Williamsport. John D. Savoy, and his son, John A., machined and hand-carved all of the highly ornate parts of different room furniture. In 1949, the shop needed to move to a larger location in Williamsport. Five years later, another move became necessary and the name became John Savoy & Son.
The company moved to its present address at the corner of Charles and Howard streets in Montoursville during 1961. Two years later, the company stopped manufacturing residential furniture and entered the commercial furniture field.
Savoy became president of the company after John A, her husband, passed away. Their two sons, Marcus and Adam make up the third generation carrying the company into the future. Savoy strives to treat all of her employees like family, something her husband always did. She greets everyone that she sees, often striking up a conversation.
The company continues to strive for the best equipment, constantly upgrading to the latest models and more efficient equipment while maintaining the Savoy quality. After several additions, Savoy Furniture operates in a 225,000-square-foot facility.
"You can never rest on your laurels," Savoy said. "You have to look at ways to improve in order to remain competitive."
In addition to equipment, products often change when the market changes.
"Their needs are basic: Beds, chests and desks," Savoy said. "You have to constantly update the look with a decorative door front or a more contemporary finish."
One thing that has not changed is striving to buy locally and American-made products. Since Savoy Contract Furniture is an American company, they want to help other American manufacturers.
With 8 casegood collections that include beds, chests, desks and wardrobes, the most popular collection is Nittany designed in the 1950s. Designs have changed with the times from the plain fronts to today's more residential look with drawer cut outs and decorative pulls. Color also plays a large part in the designs from the finishes used on the casegoods to the fabrics of the lounge furniture. The company can modify the finish from a natural oak to a Williamsburg Cherry.
Regarding the work force, summer months are peak months at Savoy as colleges are looking for furniture to be installed prior to students returning for fall semester. Savoy employs about 150 people, including college students.
Many colleges also look for quick-ship items such as beds, desks, chests and seating in which Savoy keeps an inventory of the most popular items in two different series'.
"We are environmentally friendly before it was fashionable and our desire to use green products has not changed," Savoy said. From a dust collection system in 1954 to today's ultraviolet high-tech finishing system, Savoy has made every effort to be environmentally friendly for the future of the earth, the company and customers.
