Julius Everett Marsh, Sr.

Founded in 1906 by Julius Everett Marsh, Sr., Marsh Furniture Company has crafted fine cabinetry for nearly a century.

From the start, Marsh was all about innovation. While other furniture companies were building for the bedroom, dining room or den, Marsh built furniture for the kitchen.

Kitchen Safe

Marketed as "Kitchen Safes" and sold through retail stores, these ornate free-standing cupboards were innovative in another way. They were among the first pieces of furniture to be shipped "Ready To Assemble" or "Knocked-Down" in the jargon of the day.

The only constant in Marsh's first decade was change. Features like tilt-out flour bins with built-in sifters, sliding tambour doors and enameled metal work surfaces (the precursor to today's countertops) were added to Marsh cupboards as they began to define the modern kitchen cabinet.

	Portable Kitchen Cabinet

Seizing Opportunities

In 1914 Marsh introduced the radical concept of a portable kitchen cabinet by putting casters on their cupboards. When J. E. Marsh, Sr. retired in the late 1920's, he passed more than the company presidency to his eldest son. He also passed on the family inclination for innovation. This trait would prove pivotal as J. E. Marsh, Jr. led the company through the Great Depression.

J. E. Marsh, Jr.

As consumers lost buying power and sales of any one item shrunk, J. E. Marsh, Jr. supplemented production by broadening his customer base. To achieve this, iceboxes, butcher tables, and even pinball machines were added to the standard product offering.

Growth Years

After the depression this talent for recognizing and seizing opportunity led to yet another Marsh pioneering effort. Pre-fabricated cabinets with separate wall and base units were developed, sold directly to contractors, and then built in to new homes. The phenomenal success of this concept established Marsh as a major identity in the new construction industry and increased the opportunity for new product development. Natural wood finishes were introduced in the early 1940's and sales of Marsh cabinets grew even faster.

In order to keep up with the demand, Marsh acquired a sawmill in Pamplico, South Carolina in 1944. The mill was expanded, revamped and renamed Marsh Lumber Company. Through constant updating with new equipment and management tools, it continues to be a major source for wood used in Marsh cabinets today.

In the 1970's control of the company was passed from J.E. Marsh, Jr. to his younger brother George Marsh. George continued the Marsh legacy of leadership with an expansion of new materials, styles, finishes, and accessories. Special cabinet sizes and counter tops were added to the product line. A European frameless cabinet was introduced at a value that could not be matched in the industry.

	Reid Marsh, George Marsh, Terry Dickey

Evolution of Marsh Furniture

In 1989, Reid Marsh, a great-grandson of our founder, took over as President. George remained Chairman until 1995 when Reid Marsh also assumed that role. The 1990's and early 2000's were a period of continual broadening of our product lines to match the evolution of our industry into the world of fashion.  During this period our variety of door styles, wood species, cabinet designs, finishes and accessory items expanded very rapidly, enabling our kitchens to be sold to an ever widening segment of the housing market.

During these same years we also moved strongly into the retail cabinet business in our home area, growing from one store to five and increasing retail sales dramatically.

After joining us in 2000, Terry Dickey became our fifth President at the beginning of 2006—our centennial year. Terry’s strong furniture and cabinet background and excellent leadership have lead to an internal revamping of our company which, with his continued guidance, is certain to make our company even more successful as we enter our second hundred years.

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