Bush Industries, a Jamestown-based furniture manufacturer, was founded by Paul Bush in 1959 in Little Valley. The manufacturer eventually relocated to the city, where it has remained for more than five decades. More recently, the company was purchased by Lorraine Capital in 2018.

Scott Shelters, Bush Industries marketing communications manager, said the biggest difference from 1959 to 2019 is the customer. But despite differences in consumers, being acquired, battling out of bankruptcy filed in 2004 and adjusting to a new industry focused on E-commerce, Bush Industries has grown 50% in sales over the last two years.

“We’ve been growing pretty steadily,” Shelters said, noting that much of the success can be attributed to its E-commerce focus and its customer service.

In September, Bush employees and their families honored the 60-year milestone at a celebration.

From left, Bush Industries employees Steven Jones, Jamie Boye and Mary Schobey at the September open house. Submitted photo

At the end of the 1950s, Paul Bush founded Starline Houseware that would later celebrate six decades of operations. Shortly after in 1961, the company became Bush Brothers Products Corporation. The company again changed names in 1975 when it received the title that Jamestown residents know today. It is currently located at 1 Mason Dr., Jamestown.

“I think it’s exciting to have us manufacturing products in Jamestown that are sold nationwide,” Shelters said.

In the beginning, Bush began manufacturing in Little Valley, but in 1984 the company moved to Jamestown.

Now, Bush Industries has 350 full-time employees nationwide. However, the majority of its employees work in the Jamestown headquarters. The company also has two showrooms in Las Vegas, Nev., and Chicago, Ill., where celebrations were held as well.

Shelters, who began with Bush three years ago, maintains that it’s still “a great place to work.”

The bulk of the manufacturer’s products are commercial and residential office furniture. However, Bush does manufacture entryway furniture, chairs and bedroom furniture. A bedroom set named “Summerset” that was released two years ago has been popular, Shelters said. Additionally, contemporary and traditional furniture pieces are continually being created.

“We’re just really adding to our portfolio,” Shelters said.

Recently, Bush received a New York state contract allowing the company to sell and install commercial office furniture to any state agency. The new status enables Bush to bid on contract opportunities at school districts and universities, too.

The furniture manufacturer, perhaps adjusting to the times, sells many of its products through virtually every digital marketplace like Amazon, Walmart, Office Depot, Staples and Wayfair. Customers can visit both of the company’s websites, Bushfurniture.com and Bushbusinessfurniture.com that feature 3-D digital renderings of products.

“A lot of our sales now are online,” Shelters said. “So, we try to have these really great, beautiful and accurate renderings so the customer can envision what the product would look like in there space.”

Bush also offers same-day shipping to provide customers with faster delivery times.

As Bush Industries evolves, Shelters said the company is optimistic it can make another long run of success, possibly another 60 years. He added that the company’s mission has remained the same: “Making the customer experience easy, fast and affordable.”