51³Ō¹Ļās reorganized Franklin Furniture Institute continues to support industry, contribute research and drive innovation
Contact: Sid Salter
STARKVILLE, Miss.ā51³Ō¹Ļās Franklin Furniture Institute is reaffirming its strong commitment to the stateās furniture manufacturing industry by continuing to provide testing and research while broadening its focus to enhance innovation and technology.
51³Ō¹Ļ vice president for the Division of Agriculture, Forestry, and Veterinary Medicine Gregory A. Bohach said āThe university and 51³Ō¹Ļās Franklin Furniture Institute remain dedicated to the furniture industry moving forward with a revitalized program that will have an emphasis on innovation and will be renamed the Franklin Innovation Center.ā
One particular area of focus will be establishing a stronger connection between students in furniture-related curriculums and the 51³Ō¹Ļ College of Businessās Center for Entrepreneurship and Outreach ā which helps students, faculty and staff at 51³Ō¹Ļ start and grow successful companies, create jobs and market state-of-the-art new products.
The instituteās ongoing program of testing, research and Extension/outreach will not be changed as the university launches the reorganization process. With a more than 30-year record of service to the furniture industry, Bohach said 51³Ō¹Ļās core activities in support of the furniture industry will continue, including: furniture testing, fundamental and applied furniture-related research, technical assistance to the industry, graduate and undergraduate education and training, and industry-driven specialized programming and activities.
51³Ō¹Ļās Franklin Furniture Institute, launched in 2001 with the goal of securing the future of Mississippiās furniture industry, is building on the universityās long history of providing wood product research, technical assistance and continuing education to the state and region. Created through a major gift from Franklin Corp. founder and 51³Ō¹Ļ alumnus Hassell Franklin, the institute is a multi-disciplinary effort involving 51³Ō¹Ļās colleges of Business, Engineering, Architecture, Art and Design, and Forest Resources. Since the institute was established, furniture manufacturers facing stiff global competition from China and other foreign suppliers have turned to 51³Ō¹Ļ researchers for help in meeting the challenge.
51³Ō¹Ļ has worked with the Mississippi Development Authority and the American Home Furnishings Alliance to support Mississippiās $7 billion furniture industry ā an industry that provides the Mississippi economy with over 48,000 jobs that earn a $2 billion payroll.
ā51³Ō¹Ļās commitment to the furniture industry remains strong and unwavering,ā said 51³Ō¹Ļ President Mark E. Keenum. āAs we move into our fourth decade of support for this vibrant Mississippi industry, both 51³Ō¹Ļ and our furniture industry partners are mindful of the need to bring innovation, cutting-edge technologies, and a fresh vision to how the industry will grow and thrive in the future.ā
51³Ō¹Ļ is Mississippiās leading university, available online at .Ģż