Stump History

Based in Charlotte, NC, Stump & Company has deep roots in the Carolinas. Company founder, and sole practitioner, Ralph Stump developed a specialization in selling Furniture Companies and other privately owned businesses in the region – at the time the Furniture Capital of the World. He brought shrewd financial acumen, strong work ethic, and highly ethical approach to every transaction.

Today, Stump maintains this strong foundation and has grown into a global firm with deep experience across Home Furnishings/Décor, Direct-To-Consumer/E-Commerce, Hospitality & Commercial Furnishings, and other businesses.

Stump Family

The Stump Companies

1972

Ralph forms Stump Financial Corporation and begins an advisory-based business.

1989

Randy Stump forms The Stump Corporation, working with Ralph’s southern-based clients on real estate needs.

Industry Highlight
The Southern Furniture Market is renamed the International Home Furnishings Market. High Point's largest showroom, the Southern Furniture Exposition Building, changes its name to the International Home Furnishings Center, or IHFC.

1990

Tim Stump forms Stump & Company, to partner with Ralph in building an M&A practice focusing on the furniture industries.

1999

Industry Highlight
The U.S.-China Bilateral WTO Agreement is signed in November, opening the door to Chinese imports by lowering U.S. tariff barriers and easing the way for China to join the World Trade Organization (WTO). Over the next 10 years, more than half the jobs in the North Carolina furniture manufacturing industry disappear due to offshoring.

Stump & Company

2001

Stump & Company takes its first trip to China.

Industry Highlight
Organizers announce the formation of the High Point International Home Furnishings Market Authority Corp.

2004

Stump & Company enters the commercial space in a big way, selling Paoli to HON Industries, Inc.

2007

Ralph retires while Tim continues the M&A business, adding an analyst and associate for support.

2008

Stump & Company enters the hospitality space in a big way, selling Mark David to Kohler.

Tim Stump
Tim Stump took over the M&A business in 2008.
Stump Team 2020
Tim Stump, Stuart Stump Mullens, Bo Stump

The Next Generation

2016

Stuart Stump Mullens joins Stump & Company following 5+ years in corporate America with McKinsey and Georgia-Pacific.

2019

Bo Stump joins following getting an MBA degree and 5 years in various strategy/consulting roles.

2021

Stump establishes a robust foot-print in the e-commerce/DTC space, selling Bolton Furniture to Trademark Global. Subsequent successes quickly followed, including Edloe Finch, Noa Home, Handy Living, ROOM, Noble House, and Z Gallerie in quick succession.

2022

The Stump firm reaches age 50 – Stuart and Bo named equal partners with Tim Stump.

Stump & Company named a Top 50 M&A Advisory Firm by Axial.

2023

Stump & Company is named a Top 50 Consumer M&A Advisor.

The Stump Difference

Since 1972, the Stump team is committed to guiding owners through the selling process, with a track record of achieving the maximum price, on the best terms, with the right buyer. Our proven process of underwriting, valuing, and managing the marketing process provides the owner/client with confidence that the market is speaking accurately.

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