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History of Quality
Mr. Oberli designed and built his fine Berne Furniture hand-crafted wooden frames from North American soft maple lumber that had been kiln dried to a very low moisture content. The dryer the lumber, the lesser possibility of warping. However, when lumber is too dry, the wood tends to crack and split. Mr. Oberli chose the optimal moisture content for his wood frames of between 6 and 8%.
Next, Mr. Oberli assembled his fine wooden frames by boring all joints followed by assembling the frames with hardwood dowels and hot, melted glue for strength. As an extra strength measure, Mr. Oberli doweled many wooden slats between the front and back rails of the furniture. These techniques are the strongest methods used to build a wooden frame in North America.
To offer a seating base construction, Mr. Oberli used cone-shaped tempered steel coil springs that he anchored securely to the wooden slat under supports. He followed that assembly by tying each spring into position with 8 individual knots. That method kept the springs in proper position over the lifetime of each original sofa, loveseat and chair owner.
The construction is designed and built today the same way it was specified by Mr. Oberli in 1925. In a changing economic environment where other manufacturers cut quality to increase profitability, Berne Furniture Company maintains its high quality standards.
Today, Mr. Oberli's original furniture design specifications are still used by the Berne Furniture Company. Berne Furniture Company hasn't departed from its commitment to build the very highest quality hand-made upholstered wood furniture, in attractive styles at reasonable prices.
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Mr. Yager, a local furniture retailer in business since 1911, immediately hired Mr. Clovis Oberli, a Swiss furniture designer and builder, who had the unique European knowledge of making strong and durable upholstered furniture frame constructions while coupling those qualities with eye-appealing form and function.
Following Mr. L. Lawrence Yager were his two sons, James Jerome Yager, President and L. Luther Yager, Secretary-Treasurer, providing the company with a second generation of family ownership. Both sons were active in the family owned furniture-manufacturing business during their lifetime.
The third generation of Yager family ownership is represented by James Jerome Yager's son, Jay Jerome Yager, Chairman-Secretary. Jay Yager has been active in the Berne Furniture business for 31 years.
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