\u201cWhen I think back to where Kellex started it still amazes me,\u201d opens Founder and President, Chris Rice. \u201cWe began in Norwalk, Ohio, with just three of us working above a garage, and our commitment to people and partnership has shaped every step of our growth. We opened our first corporate office in North Ridgeville, then expanded our sales presence to Duluth, Georgia, before ultimately moving to Hickory, North Carolina, where we\u2019re still deeply rooted today. A major milestone was acquiring Hickory Hill Furniture\u2019s 355,000-square-foot facility in Valdese, North Carolina, complete with a sawmill and full frame and upholstery operations. Later, we added our 97,000-square-foot manufacturing plant in Tupelo, Mississippi, which strengthened our ability to serve customers quickly and at scale.\u201d<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Kellex focuses on creating high-quality, American-made furniture specifically for the hospitality and senior living industries. \u201cOur product range is broad by design, from lounge chairs and sofas to sleepers, dining seating, modular pieces, and fully custom solutions,\u201d Chris explains. \u201cWhat really sets us apart is that we\u2019re not just building furniture; we\u2019re building partnerships. We control so much of our manufacturing, with an in-house sawmill, frame shop, and upholstery operation, meaning we can tailor products to the exact needs of our customers, whether that\u2019s a boutique hotel looking for a signature piece or a senior living community needing furniture that blends comfort, safety, and durability. Beyond products themselves, we also provide design support, project customization, and a level of responsiveness that only a family-owned, domestic manufacturer can deliver.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOur design-to-install model starts with our in-house design team, which is made up of seasoned designers who understand the markets, as well as construction and manufacturing. From there, our vertically integrated manufacturing, combined with trusted domestic partners, allows us to maintain strong quality control and consistent lead times while remaining flexible for unique requirements. By managing the final steps with our dedicated logistics team, we support customers all the way through the project.\u201d<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Kellex\u2019s approach to product development is rooted in listening \u2013 to its customers, to the market, and to the ways in which furniture is used in the hospitality and senior living environments of which it serves. \u201cInnovation starts with gathering insights about what works, what doesn\u2019t work, and what\u2019s missing from the market,\u201d Chris confirms. \u201cWe\u2019re always studying new construction methods, materials, ergonomics, and long-term durability to ensure every idea has a strong foundation. Due to our vertical integration, we can quickly prototype and test new concepts in real-time and refine them based on performance. It\u2019s the balance of design thinking, engineering insight, and real-world application that drives innovation at Kellex.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe prioritize long-term client relationships in everything we do, but it also helps us with collaborative innovation. One of the most pivotal partnerships, for instance, is with Travel + Leisure Co., particularly in the development of the Zen Sleeper. Wyndham challenged us with a specific need to create a sleeper that truly supports the vacation ownership experience \u2013 something that feels like home, without compromises. Rethinking everything we knew about sleeper construction, we collaborated with Wyndham\u2019s team to create a system that delivers genuine sleep experience and comfort while meeting the durability and serviceability standards required in hospitality. The Zen Sleeper has since become a benchmark product for us, standing as a great example of how long-term collaboration can lead to truly meaningful innovation.\u201d<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Following discussion of Kellex\u2019s approach to innovation and long-term partnerships, Chris is keen to share details about the next generation of the sleeper line, the Zen Elite. \u201cThe new Zen Elite model builds on everything we learned from the original Zen but elevates it even further,\u201d he says. \u201cWe\u2019ve refined the comfort system, enhanced the mechanism for an even smoother user experience, and incorporated new design details that make it feel more residential while still meeting the demands of hospitality. The Zen Elite is really the evolution of what began years ago with Wyndham\u2019s challenge to create a sleeper that offers an at-home sleep experience. It\u2019s a project we\u2019re extremely proud of and although we\u2019ll share more details when we can, we think it will set new standards in its category.\u201d<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Having celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2024, we ask Chris for his reflections on three decades of success. \u201cKellex is a company built on trust, humility, and shared purpose, where longevity comes as a byproduct,\u201d he states. \u201cAt the same time, we\u2019ve never been afraid to evolve and adapt, whether it\u2019s expanding our manufacturing footprint, investing in new product innovation, or refining our customer-centered approach. 30 years in business doesn\u2019t happen without loyal customers, trusted partners, and a team of people who show up every day with pride in what they do. While we\u2019re excited about where Kellex is going, we\u2019re equally committed to staying grounded in the values that got us where we are today.\u201d<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n To close our conversation, Chris summarizes his thoughts on what\u2019s next for the business. \u201cOur priorities remain centered on strengthening the things that set Kellex apart to strengthen who we are, elevate what we offer, and ensure our customers feel the difference every step of the way,\u201d he states. \u201cWe\u2019re doubling down on our customer-centered approach, ensuring our new marketing direction, the \u2018seamless journey\u2019 mindset, and our design-to-install models are fully aligned across every part of the company. We\u2019re also evolving our product range. With the upcoming launch of the Zen Elite, we\u2019re building momentum in our sleeper category, and we want to expand that innovation across both hospitality and senior living.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"](\"https:\/\/manufacturing-today.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/02\/Kellex-244-body-image-1.jpg\")
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n30th Anniversary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n