Introducing Skyline Furniture Manufacturing, the family-owned and operated business providing unique, homemade products to their customers. And, they are one of the latest manufacturers we’ve only recently added to DesignerInc so we’re excited to tell you about them!Read on to learn more about all that they offer, and be sure to head on over to their collection found on DI.
Let’s kick this off by learning more about your company. What makes Skyline Furniture Manufacturing unique?
We’re a family-owned and operated wholesale furniture company, based just outside of Chicago. We’re known throughout the furniture industry for our fashion-forward design and handcrafted quality. And our affordable, custom-made pieces are white labeled by some of the highest quality retailers across the country. Skyline Furniture was founded in 1946, by Norman Wecker. His father-in-law owned an upholstery factory in the early 1900s, and when Norman returned from World War II, he was ready to start the next chapter in the family business. He consulted with his father-in-law, learned the ropes, and proudly opened his own factory in the South Suburbs of Chicago.While our business has grown over the years, the important things have stayed the same. We are still a wholesale furniture company, selling handmade pieces through the trade across the country. We’re still in the same building in the South Suburbs of Chicago. And we’re still a family business, now run by Ted and Meganne Wecker, Norman’s son and granddaughter.Over 65 years later you’ll still find us in the suburbs of Chicago, doing what we do best…upholstering! We make custom furniture your customers will love, and we have direct-to-consumer shipping down to a science. Our employees are like family (many are actually second-generation at Skyline) and we’re lucky to be growing and hiring more local talent every day.
What is a favorite piece in your collection that designers might not know about?
It is not so much a piece that is a favorite – but more of an extension of who we are. Skyline Manufacturing is our parent company, and Cloth and Company is our hip younger sister that is cool, stylish, and fashion forward. Art, technology and a tradition of craftsmanship meet at Cloth & Company, the first home furnishing brand of its kind. Our design process utilizes 3D models to imagine our exclusive collections digitally. Then, employing state of the art, in-line digital printing technology, all products are made to order and ships to the customer in 2 weeks. With no inventory and endless customization options, we’re disrupting the industry one bespoke piece at time.
Who or what inspires you most when coming up with designs?
We are passionate about design and believe that inspiration can be found all around us. Taking cues from fashion, history, fine art, and nature, we are constantly creating collections of bespoke textiles and exclusive silhouettes. As a design collective made up of textile designers, artists and creative influencers from around the world, we aim to celebrate artistry and explore design in an unprecedented way.
What is the process behind coming up with new designs/products?
We believe that great design should be accessible to everyone. Whether you need a statement piece or something handsomely simple, you can count on us for unique shapes, bold fabrics, and affordable prices. And every piece of our furniture is custom-made to order, using one of our 100+ gorgeous (and ever-changing) fabrics.
What is your favorite part about the manufacturing industry?
There are two factors that live harmoniously here at Skyline Furniture. The technology and the craftsmanship are hand and hand, this collaboration is what makes us unique.We live in an ever-changing world and pride ourselves on embracing innovation. As the first home goods manufacturer to design, print, and upholster in-house, we have been a pioneer since our inception. Utilizing digital textile design and 3D rendering technology, we are able to turn inspiration into collections at an unprecedented speed. By digitally printing textiles using a 100% clean water run-off process, we print only what is needed for production, ultimately minimizing our waste and carbon footprint.We are a family of artisan furniture makers, using many of the same techniques passed down over four generations. While we look to employ technology to enhance our skill, we believe the careful attention to detail by our craftsmen is what makes our product special. Our products are truly the work of many hands, from hand painting our textile designs to building the frames of our exclusive silhouettes, each piece has been crafted with the utmost care.
