Historic JTB Furniture to Suspend Operations After Nearly a Century
COLUMBUS, MISSISSIPPI / USA —
Iconic American wood furniture maker JTB Furniture will suspend manufacturing operations in February 2026 after nearly a century in business, sending ripples through the woodworking and furniture industry. The news was confirmed in a woodworking industry brief released mid-January.
Founded in 1932 and family-run for decades, JTB Furniture became known for solid craftsmanship in both residential and hospitality markets. In 2024, the company was acquired by Prime Hospitality, but recent strategic reviews led to the difficult decision to cease production next month.
Leadership: A Difficult but Necessary Decision
Prime Hospitality President Jim Donnelly acknowledged the emotional and economic weight of the announcement. “We don’t like for any operation that we had big plans for to cease… To be honest, the writing had been on the wall for a while that this is something that may need to happen,” Donnelly said, underlining that the closure was part of a broader, long-anticipated adjustment rather than a sudden development.
While the company has produced furniture through major historical shifts — surviving wars, economic cycles, and changing consumer tastes — recent market and operational pressures appear to have ultimately influenced the decision to discontinue activity at the factory.
Industry Implications
JTB Furniture’s closure comes amid broader shifts in the woodworking and furniture manufacturing industry, where legacy brands face multiple headwinds including shifts in consumer demand, raw material cost pressures, global supply chain dynamics, and competition from digital-first and imported brands. Recent industry news shows multiple established manufacturers re-evaluating operations or restructuring amid evolving market conditions.
The suspension of operations at JTB Furniture signals potential caution for smaller and mid-sized manufacturers in the U.S. and global markets. With several historic woodworking firms experiencing downturns, closures, or strategic consolidation, management teams face the challenge of balancing tradition with competitiveness.
Local and Broader Market Reactions
Industry professionals and community members in Columbus, Mississippi — where JTB Furniture’s manufacturing footprint supported local jobs and supply chains — are watching closely as the final shipments are prepared and staff transitions unfold. According to regional press, the last orders and deliveries from the facility will likely be completed before the formal cessation in February.
Although details about equipment sales, potential buyouts, or facility reuse have not yet been released, analysts anticipate conversations among local stakeholders and interest from other manufacturers or industrial developers in repurposing the site.
A Legacy Nearing Its Close
For nearly a century, JTB Furniture built a reputation for quality woodworking and sustained community engagement. Its closure marks the end of a chapter in American furniture history — one shaped by craftsmanship evolving alongside market forces now pushing many traditional manufacturers to adapt or exit.
