Howard Miller Liquidates Manufacturing Equipment After Nearly 100 Years

The iconic clock and furniture maker is auctioning off its final assets as it winds down operations.

Feb. 5, 2026 at 4:07pm

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After nearly a century of manufacturing heirloom clocks, curio cabinets, and furniture, the iconic Howard Miller company has officially closed its operations and is liquidating its final inventory of machinery and equipment through a public online auction. The third-generation family-owned business, known for its handcrafted home furnishings, announced plans to wind down manufacturing last year and will remain open into 2026 to sell off remaining inventory.

Why it matters

The closure of Howard Miller marks the end of an era for a storied American manufacturing brand that had been a fixture in the home goods industry for generations. The liquidation auction represents the final chapter for the company as it exits the production side of the business, highlighting the challenges facing traditional furniture and home decor makers in the face of changing consumer preferences and increased global competition.

The details

Orbitbid.com, Inc. — a Miedema Asset Management Group company — in conjunction with Maynards, will conduct the third and final scheduled online equipment auction featuring assets from Howard Miller's Zeeland, Michigan facility. The auction will feature over 1,500 lots of state-of-the-art CNC machinery, edgebanding equipment, material handling systems, paint systems, forklifts, and large quantities of raw materials, hand tools, and more.

  • The third and final auction is scheduled to end on Tuesday, February 10, 2026.
  • Howard Miller announced plans to wind down its manufacturing operations last year.

The players

Howard J. 'Buzz' Miller

The president and chief executive officer of Howard Miller, a third-generation family-owned business that is liquidating its manufacturing assets after nearly 100 years of operation.

Orbitbid.com, Inc.

A Miedema Asset Management Group company that is conducting the online auction of Howard Miller's remaining manufacturing equipment and assets.

Maynards

A company partnering with Orbitbid.com to handle the liquidation auction of Howard Miller's manufacturing equipment and assets.

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What they’re saying

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

— Howard J. 'Buzz' Miller, President and Chief Executive Officer

What’s next

The auction is scheduled to end on February 10, 2026, marking the final chapter in Howard Miller's nearly century-long manufacturing history.

The takeaway

The closure of the iconic Howard Miller brand underscores the challenges facing traditional American manufacturers as they grapple with evolving consumer preferences, global competition, and the need to adapt to changing market dynamics. The liquidation of the company's assets represents the end of an era for a storied home goods brand that had been a fixture in the industry for generations.