Source:  Press Release, 9/17/10

Gov. Bev Perdue on Friday welcomed the announcement of a joint venture known as the Carolina Artisan Group that will create 200 jobs in Valdese.  The joint venture is a partnership between Art Van Furniture, Michigan’s largest furniture retailer, and Kellex Corporation, a furniture manufacturer in Burke County.

“Creating jobs is our number one priority, and the announcement today is tremendous news for Burke County and for North Carolina,” said Gov. Perdue.  “North Carolina has a talented and skilled workforce, and we look forward to a long and successful partnership.”

The partnership will continuously design and develop quality custom and semi-custom living room and family room seating.  Six styles of living room and family room collections will be available in the Art Van Furniture stores by mid-October.  For the launch, all furniture produced in Burke County by the Carolina Artisan Group will be sold exclusively by Art Van Furniture.