From left, Michele Cassin and Piero della Valentina, both of Valendrawers, and Keith Crisco, NC Dept. of Commerce

LEXINGTON, NC –

Valendrawers, a 150-employee wood drawer and door manufacturer, says it plans to expand U.S. manufacturing. Owned by the Italian-based Della Valentina family of Bologna and Sacile, Italy, Valendrawer founder Amedeo Della Valentina and his son Piero, who is president of Valendrawers, confirmed the plans during a 25th anniversary luncheon held in Valendrawers’ new 40,000 square foot warehouse addition. The expansion includes a $1.2 million investment for door production, first announced in Sept.

“We made a very wise decision 25 years ago when we selected Lexington in the heart of the U.S. furniture industry, as our U.S. location," said Piero Della Valentina. "We have skilled and dedicated employees who understand the need for producing a high-quality product. Our relationship with local economic development officials and local and state officials has always been excellent. They have supported us 100 percent and we are grateful for that." 

Also involved in the business is Carla Della Valentina, who came to the United States to represent the family when Valendrawers was founded. She now lives in Lexington, is active in community affairs and is a U.S. citizen. Carla also serves on the board of the Italian-American Chamber of Commerce of the Carolinas. North Carolina Secretary of Commerce Keith Crisco, a featured speaker at the event, revealed during the the presentation that his father was a cabinetmaker.

The Della Valentina family says it pioneered the concept of outsourced furniture components, and in 1964 was instrumental in the development of the first modern “flat-line” finishing system for furniture components, producing . a high quality finish at a lower piece cost than hand-applied finishes.