Public Radio East serves Eastern North Carolina by providing news, fine arts, and informational programming that challenges, stimulates, educates, and entertains an intellectually curious audience.

© 2026 Public Radio East

Public Radio East
800 College Court
New Bern, NC 28562

EIN 56-1802728
Public Radio For Eastern North Carolina 89.3 WTEB New Bern 88.5 WZNB New Bern 91.5 WBJD Atlantic Beach 90.3 WKNS Kinston 89.9 W210CF Greenville
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
New antenna installed, 89.3 WTEB operating at full power

Clock and furniture maker with Triad presence to close

Image shows a clock
Courtesy Howard Miller Co.
An accent clock by Howard Miller Co.

A Michigan clock and furniture company with ties to the Triad is closing after almost a century in business.

The Howard Miller Co. has made grandfather clocks, wall clocks and furniture for 99 years.

It employs about 200 people. Among the Triad locations impacted by the closure is the Hekman Furniture Co. warehouse in Lexington. Howard Miller acquired Hekman in 1983.

Furniture sales are closely tied to the housing market, which has been slumping.

Buzz Miller, the grandson of the company’s founder and its CEO, also says Trump administration tariffs increased the cost of essential components not available in the U.S.

Howard Miller Company leaders were hoping to find a buyer, but haven’t been able to do so. The company plans to stay in business until next year as it sells off its inventory.