Gloster Furniture, Inc will hold a Grand Opening of its new facility at 1075 Fulp Industrial Road in South Boston, VA on Monday, March 31, 2008 at 4:30pm-5:30pm. The building (the former O’Sullivan Industries building) is 670,000 square feet located in the Halifax County Industrial Park. The move enabled Gloster to consolidate its sales, customer support and distribution operations under one roof.

Prior to acquiring the facility the company leased approximately 200,000 square feet in the former Daystrom Furniture facility on Green’s Folly Road and office space in the Climate Control Building on US Highway 58/360. The expansion has created an additional 30 plus jobs. President of Gloster America Eric Parsons noted that the company has seen double digit growth since incorporated in 1999 in South Boston. “Gloster is in six different continents and over 50 countries. North America is our fastest growing,
most profitable market worldwide. Our focus is on the high end furniture market.” Mr. Parsons also noted that the creation of upholstery manufacturing has enabled the company to better meet the needs of their customers as well as create jobs for the County.

Halifax County Industrial Development Authority’s Executive Director Mike Eades said that he was grateful to Gloster Furniture for staying and expanding in Halifax County. “Gloster had offers to expand outside of Halifax County”, Eades explained. “It was the partnership of state and local entities that made this deal happen”. Eades especially credited the staff of the Jobs Investment Program of the Virginia Department of Business Assistance for their help on the project. “Time and again, when we call on the Department of Business Assistance, they respond immediately and that’s what it takes to close these deals”.

Halifax County Board of Supervisors Chairman William Fitzgerald added his thanks and outlook the county has for growth. “The vision of local business leaders and elected officials in Halifax County is to revive the region’s economy by encouraging a diverse employment base across many different business sectors. Gloster has been a good employer and corporate citizen in Halifax County for many years. We thank Gloster for their decision to expand here and pledge the full support of Halifax County to ensure their continued success.”

Gloster Furniture, Inc is a Virginia Corporation that was established in 1999. Gloster has become one of the largest suppliers of high quality outdoor furniture in the world. The company has won numerous international awards for its designs, durability and quality and is especially known for its teak heritage. Gloster’s principal customers are independent furniture retailers, designers and institutional buyers such as resorts and hotels. Gloster is a European based company with offices in Bristol, England and a factory in Indonesia and South Boston, VA. For more information about Gloster please visit www.gloster.com .

For more information:
Email: nsmith@halifaxvirginia.com