TEXARKANA MAGAZINE
the day’s production. Within a few years, a modest but healthy furniture factory was humming along in East Texas. By 1969, the business had outgrown the small factory, necessitating the construction of a larger facility, and it has increased in size several times since. The company has consistently welcomed technological advancements in upholstery manufacturing, investing in automated systems for fabric and leather cutting, wood panel processing, and foam fabrication, thereby achieving industry-leading order-to-shipment cycle times and enhancing product quality. These advancements, combined with a skilled and motivated workforce under dynamic management, have secured the company’s longevity. “Crafted with pride in the USA” encapsulates Mayo’s spirit. They take enormous pride in the fact that they make their products right here at home. By sourcing materials within America, they not only produce American-made goods but also bolster local jobs and commerce. Their core mission revolves around maintaining trust and ensuring they create furniture that customers are proud to showcase in their homes. More than five decades later, the Mayo family business has expanded to over 200 employees, serving customers nationwide and abroad. Following the retirement and later passing of Linn Mayo in the spring of 2017, leadership of the company transitioned to Mike Mayo, who subsequently retired in 2020. Today his sons Stephen, Ben, and Patrick are at the helm, with Linn’s guiding principle, “Be the captain of your ship,” profoundly influencing their leadership and the operations within the company. Family has always been the number one priority, and the values shared by Linn and his family remain the cornerstone of how Mayo does business today.
FURNITURE MANUFACTURER Mayo Established 1965 225 Employees “Specializing in high-quality upholstered furniture in fabric and leather, from chairs and ottomans to full sectional suites.”
In the fall of 1965, Linn Mayo gathered his young family around the kitchen table for a serious discussion. Across from him sat his wife, Dean, and their two sons, Mike and Gary. The Mayo family was at a crossroads—Linn’s tenure as general manager of a modest bedding and furniture manufacturer ended suddenly after the death of the owner, and he faced a pivotal career decision. He could accept a comfortable offer already in hand and move the family from Texarkana or take a leap of faith and start a new business. Linn, with the support of his family, took the leap. Shortly thereafter, an old warehouse building was repurposed into a manufacturing space. Linn would often jokingly boast about his little factory as “24,000 square feet of two floors with a post every 12 feet.” A handful of key suppliers, believing in Linn’s vision and eager to support his start-up, provided raw material inventory on a “pay for it when you can” basis. While Linn orchestrated the business’ setup, Dean mastered the art of cutting and sewing mattress covers and took on administrative tasks like generating work tickets and customer invoices. The boys learned many of the factory roles and spent many late nights loading trucks after helping complete
HEALTH AND WELLNESS MANUFACTURER Rowe Casa Organics Established 2017 208 Employees “Natural products you can trust.” Rowe Casa is setting the standard for uncompromising, high-quality natural products that promote your health and enhance your home. At Rowe Casa Organics, the mission is to provide natural products for your health and home that you can trust. They
The founder of Mayo, Linn Mayo, stands at the center surrounded by Patrick, Mike, Stephen, and Ben Mayo.
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BUSINESS & POLITICS
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