TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — After nearly a century of manufacturing heirloom clocks, curio cabinets, and furniture from Zeeland, Michigan, Howard Miller has officially closed its operations and is liquidating its remaining machinery and equipment through a series of public online auctions.

What was once considered the world's largest manufacturer of grandfather clocks, the third-generation, family owned company announced in July that it was closing and cited a "convergence" of market influences, including tariffs and declining sales as the cause.

The company, which employed approximately 195 people at plants in Zeeland and Traverse City, Michigan, and two sites in North Carolina, will remain open into 2026 to sell off its inventory. 

“We are incredibly disappointed to have reached this point in our journey,” said Howard J. “Buzz” Miller, president and CEO. “We are deeply grateful to our talented team, our committed distributors and our loyal customers who have supported us throughout the years.“

Handling the equipment sell off is Orbitbid.com, Inc. — a Miedema Asset Management Group company — in conjunction with Maynards. The auction company will conduct the first of three scheduled online equipment auctions featuring assets from Howard Miller facilities located in Michigan and North Carolina.

The first auction is scheduled for Tuesday, December 30, 2025, and will feature metal stamping, embossing, forming, and assembly equipment from Howard Miller’s Traverse City, Michigan, facility. The sale includes numerous dies unique to the clockmaking industry, along with other specialty dies and presses. 

Upcoming Howard Miller Equipment Auctions

• December 30, 2025 – Traverse City, MI
• January 20, 2026 – High Point, NC
• February 10, 2026 – Zeeland, MI
  Traverse City, MI 

Auction highlights

• Cincinnati #110-OBS 110-Ton Hydraulic Presses (2)
• Lauffer RPL 16 & RPT 50 Hydraulic Presses
• Rousselle OBI Presses (multiple models and sizes)
• Heim OBI and Flywheel Presses
• Littell Straightener
• Di-Acro Power Shear
• Walk-In Oven & Industrial Wash Equipment
• Accu-Print High-Tech Micro Flatbed Printers (2006 & 2015)
• UV Curing & Screen Printing Equipment
• ENCO Milling, Lathe, and Bandsaw Machines
• Mitsubishi FGC25 LP Forklift
• Welding, Riveting, Grinding, and Finishing Equipment
• Large Coils of Brass and Aluminum Raw Materials
• Extensive Miscellaneous Shop Equipment, Tools, Racking, and Support Items
   

Auction details

• Auction Date: Tuesday, December 30, 2025
• Auction Link: https://bid.orbitbid.com/?auction_id=984
• Inspection: Monday, December 29 | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM & Auction Day | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Location of Assets: 343 Hughes Drive, Traverse City, MI 49696
   

For more information about the auction or specific items available, please contact Brennen Lubbers at 616-265-6842 or visit Orbitbid.com for details and to bid.