Rowe Fine Furniture Inc. announced this week plans to move production of its Clayton Marcus brand from Hickory, N.C., to Elliston.

According to a statement by company President and Chief Executive Officer Stefanie Lucas, the move -- expected to occur later this year or in early 2009 -- will allow Rowe to "capitalize on maximum efficiencies in production."

Rowe purchased Clayton Marcus from La-Z-Boy Inc. in October.

Lucas said then that the brand would bring "a different product and style perspective to the Rowe portfolio, adding to our current offering."

The decision to shift operations to Elliston is a result, Lucas said, of the Elliston facility's "open capacity."

It is unclear how the move will affect employment in Elliston. However, Lucas said the company hopes some Hickory-based employees "might consider relocation to our Elliston facility as needed, and we are eager to identify where those needs might exist."

"We hope that our candor with our employees, as well as with our customers, in a very tough retail climate, will allow us to communicate openly and make changes to our business that will only make us stronger," Lucas added.

-- Angela Manese-Lee