Saved by the Chime: Howard Miller Clock Relaunches Under New Ownership

ZEELAND, MI – May 07, 2026 – In a dramatic reversal of fortune, the iconic American clockmaker Howard Miller is relaunching with new West Michigan ownership and a refreshed leadership team, pulling the 100-year-old brand back from the brink of permanent closure. The move signals a modern revival for the company, which had announced plans to wind down its operations less than a year ago.

Company veteran Jim O’Keefe, the former Vice President of Sales and Marketing, will now serve as President, steering the company into its new era. The relaunch represents a concerted effort to preserve a legacy of American craftsmanship while strategically repositioning the brand for today's consumers. The company will remain headquartered in its historic home of Zeeland, Michigan.

A Revival from the Brink

The announcement stands in stark contrast to the news of July 2025, when Howard Miller declared its intention to cease operations. At the time, then-CEO Howard J. "Buzz" Miller cited a perfect storm of insurmountable market pressures. A struggling housing market had dampened furniture sales, while rising tariffs inflated the cost of crucial components and contributed to the failure of specialty suppliers. These factors, compounded by widespread inflation and rising interest rates, created a challenging environment the company could no longer navigate.

The planned closure was set to have a significant impact on the community, affecting approximately 195 employees across facilities in Michigan and North Carolina. The Zeeland headquarters alone was slated to lay off 133 employees over a nine-month period. The company had engaged an investment banker to find a buyer but was initially unsuccessful, though it remained open to offers during the wind-down process. The news sent ripples through the industry, seemingly marking the end for one of the world's most recognized names in clockmaking.

However, in a surprising turn, a new group of investors has stepped in to ensure the clocks at Howard Miller keep ticking.

A New Generation of Stewardship

The revival is being financed by a group of West Michigan investors who bring a wealth of experience in manufacturing, global supply chains, and brand building. The ownership group includes J.C. Huizenga, Founder and Chairman of the Huizenga Group; Phil Poel, Executive Vice President of Global Supply Chain at Traeger Grills; and Bill McKendry, Founder and Chief Creative Officer of the branding agency BrandHaven.

J.C. Huizenga, a prominent local entrepreneur with a diverse portfolio of manufacturing companies, views the investment as a mission to protect a regional treasure. “Howard Miller is a rare kind of brand — one with deep cultural roots and a legacy of craftsmanship that still resonates today,” said Huizenga. “This investment is as much emotional as it is strategic. We see an opportunity to not just preserve what Howard Miller has been, but to reintroduce what it can be for the next generation.”

This sentiment is echoed by the new leadership team, which includes longtime company insiders O’Keefe and Andrew Christmann, who will serve as Director of Marketing. Their intimate knowledge of the brand is now paired with the formidable operational and marketing expertise of the new investors. Poel’s extensive background in managing complex global supply chains for major consumer brands like Traeger Grills and Under Armour provides critical operational strength. Meanwhile, McKendry’s award-winning career in advertising offers a clear vision for reinvigorating the brand’s connection with consumers.

“Howard Miller has long been a category leader in clocks, but it’s been under-leveraged emotionally,” McKendry noted. “At its best, this brand helps people mark life’s most meaningful moments. That’s the opportunity in front of us; to reconnect the product to the role it plays in people’s lives.”

Honoring Legacy, Forging the Future

To ensure a seamless transition and respect for the company’s heritage, members of the Miller family will remain involved as advisors. This continuity is a key element of the new chapter, blending a century of institutional knowledge with a fresh strategic direction.

“We are incredibly proud of what Howard Miller has represented for a century,” said Buzz Miller. “To see a group step forward that not only understands the business but genuinely values the legacy and what it means to this community, gives us great confidence in what comes next.”

The relaunched company is not simply picking up where it left off. The new strategy involves a disciplined focus on a curated product offering centered on its most beloved and enduring categories: wall, mantel, tabletop, and floor clocks. This approach allows the company to concentrate its resources on the designs where it has traditionally led the market, ensuring quality and craftsmanship remain at the forefront.

“We felt a responsibility to build on an established tradition of quality workmanship and iconic design,” said O’Keefe, who is also part of the new ownership group. “Howard Miller has always had a deep connection with the people who bring these clocks into their homes. Our goal is to honor that legacy while building a company that carries it forward in a meaningful way.”

Initial operations have already begun, with a Zeeland-based team focused on design, operations, and marketing, supported by a national sales force. Product availability is expected to scale in the coming months, with the first new and updated collections anticipated by the end of 2026.

This revival story is more than a business turnaround; it’s a testament to the enduring value of heritage brands and the commitment of a community to preserve its icons. As it enters its second century, Howard Miller is poised to not only mark time but to demonstrate that true craftsmanship is, in fact, timeless.

O’Keefe added, “For a century, Howard Miller has marked time beautifully. We know this work is about more than just continuing a product line. It is about preserving and growing a brand heritage that we are excited to keep moving forward.”