Bob McCreary
Bob McCreary launched McCreary Modern with an idea for an innovative business model: providing retailers with domestic, private-label upholstery that is exclusive to their stores and often co-designed with their input. To keep its pricing as competitive as possible, the employee- and family-owned business does not have a dedicated sales team, nor does it incur the marketing costs associated with promoting its own brand.
Mr. McCreary and his wife Michelle purchased an old textile mill in Newton, N.C. in 1986 and started with 30 employees. Their efforts focused on catering to a limited group of furniture retailers and specialty shops across the nation. Drawing on their unique combination of sales, merchandising, production and retail experience, the company steadily grew. Today, it operates seven facilities in North Carolina with a workforce of 1,000.
The company prides itself on the high level of its craftsmanship, state-of-the-art machinery and a skilled team of employees who build unparalleled style and performance into each piece. Known for its dedication to quality and attention to the details, McCreary Modern builds its frames in-house, with added features for stability, comfort and support. Passionate about domestic manufacturing, the company places a high priority on sourcing components from local vendors in surrounding communities.
Crediting his loyal associates for their role in McCreary Modern’s success, Mr. McCreary gifted a portion of his company to employees via an ESOP plan in 2008. The company also offers all employees a 401K plan with a 25 percent match and free, on-site health care which includes free mammogram screening.
A former college and professional football player, Mr. McCreary has been an active supporter of his alma mater, Wake Forest University, providing funding for the Doc Martin Football Practice Complex and Mc Creary Field House and Tower, among many other projects. Mr. McCreary also has supported a wide range of community organizations, including Caldwell and Catawba Memorial Hospitals, the McCreary Cancer Center and the launch of the Furniture Academy at Caldwell Community College.