Artcobell

Much has changed in American education over the last sixty years. Pencil shavings and chalkboards have given way to laptops and digital projectors. Even the furniture has evolved from the classic wooden desks of yesteryear to modern learning spaces adorned with adaptive seating and tables of every imaginable shape and color. For the last six decades, classrooms across the nation have been shaped by furniture produced right here in Temple by Artcobell, a quiet powerhouse in the education world and a cornerstone of the local economy.

Made in Temple
Though its products ship nationwide, Artcobell’s foundation is deeply local. Every step of production happens in Temple, where the company operates a fully integrated manufacturing facility. Plastic is molded, steel is welded, and materials are shaped by skilled employees whose dedication gives each piece of furniture its strength and reliability. 

Even though about 30% of its products are distributed within Texas and the remaining 70% across the U.S., many of Artcobell’s suppliers are located just down the road — truly. From vendors within 10 miles of the plant (most within two miles), the company sources wood core, steel tubing, cartons, laminate work surface material, and foam for Soft Seating. The plastic used in production comes from right here in Texas as well, from the Gulf Coast region. Several of these vendor relationships span more than 30 years, keeping the supply chain local and helping create and sustain jobs in Temple.

“In 2020, when companies across the country were struggling with supply-chain issues, we looked like geniuses,” company president Kevin Smith recalled. 

By sourcing more than 96% of its materials from American suppliers, Artcobell ensures every piece of furniture is truly an American-made product. 

Many of Artcobell’s own employees have decades of experience, reflecting the company’s role not just as a manufacturer but as a long-standing employer in Central Texas.

They’re passionate about what they’re doing. It’s nice being in Temple and being able to offer this kind of employment base.

-Kevin Smith, President, Artcobell

Artcobell is also known as a great place to get started for people entering the workforce, offering team members variety in their work and opportunities to diversify their skillsets rather than doing the same tasks day in and day out.

A Culture of Learning
One of the secrets of Artcobell’s success? Much like the students who use their products, the company has learned to listen to teachers and educators about the changing needs of modern learning spaces. In recent years, the company has created new storage solutions that help wrestle order from chaos, furniture that adapts to flexible teaching styles, and even ergonomic seating options that help restless students maintain focus. Artcobell is proud to work on behalf of our public education system, supporting teachers and students across the country.

For Artcobell, it has never been about assembling desks and chairs. It’s been about building a stronger community, one classroom at a time.