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Fifty years ago, Art Van started a single store in East Detroit and built his company into a 30-store chain that is more dominant in Michigan than any furniture retailer in any other state in the country.
Now, as chairman, Art Van has brought in new leadership and has been laying the groundwork for even more growth—despite Michigan’s turbulent economy—and those plans may even expand the Art Van Furniture empire into markets outside its home state.
BEYOND MICHIGAN’S BORDERS
President Gary Van Elslander, the eldest of Art Van’s 10 children, said opportunities abound for the nation’s 15th-largest furniture retailer. “We’re looking at a new retail format—namely bedding stores—that are going to allow us to grow a segment of the business. Then, there is still, just south of us, the entire state of Ohio. ... I don’t want to announce to our competition all that we’re doing, but there is still some pretty fertile ground in Ohio and Northern Indiana for a company like ours.”
That focus on growth led Art Van Furniture to go outside the company in late 2008 to hire retail veteran Marshall Whaling as chief executive officer. A former senior vice president at Circuit City who also is a veteran of Best Buy, Whaling brings the perspective of a big-ticket national retailer, and Van Elslander says Whaling will “help us drive the growth that we see coming in the next five to 10 years and bring new ideas into the company, as well.”
Gary Van Elslander is one of several of Art Van’s children who have been heavily involved in the business. Ken Elslander served as co-president before retiring last spring, David Van Elslander is the buyer for 29 Art Van Clearance Center stores. Art Van’s oldest daughter, Debbie, served as Art Van’s administrative assistant for many years until her retirement in 2005. A number of other family members also work in the business, including grandchildren and nephews.
WRITING THE BOOK ON FURNITURE RETAIL
The story of how Art Van built his company into such a dominant player—and how it has maintained its strength for so long—could easily fill a book. Just such a book was commissioned by the company earlier this year. Interestingly, key employees and suppliers are featured just as prominently as Art Van himself in the book’s 139 pages, an emphasis that gives some insight into the company and its values. The company’s community outreach efforts take up another whole chapter.
Art Van Furniture
Art Van Furniture
Location: Warren, Mich.
Stores: 30 across Michigan
Employees: 3,000
Management: Chairman Art Van Elslander, CEO Marshall Whaling, President Gary Van Elslander
2008 Sales: Not disclosed
Key Initiatives: Plans to open mattress stores in select markets, enhance its Internet site and continue to expand customization options for shoppers.
Suppliers: Berkline, Best, Broyhill, Hooker, Lane, La-Z-Boy, Natuzzi, Sealy and Simmons are among dozens of brands saluting Art Van in a new book on the company.
Art Van Furniture
Location: Warren, Mich.
Stores: 30 across Michigan
Employees: 3,000
Management: Chairman Art Van Elslander, CEO Marshall Whaling, President Gary Van Elslander
2008 Sales: Not disclosed
Key Initiatives: Plans to open mattress stores in select markets, enhance its Internet site and continue to expand customization options for shoppers.
Suppliers: Berkline, Best, Broyhill, Hooker, Lane, La-Z-Boy, Natuzzi, Sealy and Simmons are among dozens of brands saluting Art Van in a new book on the company.
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