About Us

Meet the Owners and the Crew!

 Kathy Torrans

Serving as owner, President, CFO, accountant and web master, Kathy Torrans manages much of the company’s daily business. Born in the oilfields of West Texas, she gained extensive knowledge in warehouse and inventory control working for some of the largest oilfield drilling chemicals service companies in the world. When it came time to develop a web site, Kathy routinely puts her natural talents with all things digital to work and is responsible for the company’s “way cool” web site and its updates. Her other I T attributes include maintaining the company’s computer and software systems. She joined the company in a full time role when she and her husband moved back to his family hometown of Jefferson in 2005.

Along with her day to day duties, Kathy is involved in several community organizations serving on boards and committees such as the Jessie Allen Wise Garden Club, Pulpwood Queens, First United Methodist Church, Riverport Ambassadors and Jefferson Lions Club. She participates in annual activities for several civic and charitable groups like the Pulpwood Queens Book Club to further literacy and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, Boo Benefit which raises money for burn victims, Jefferson Lions Club Spring Car Show to benefit the Jefferson Volunteer Fire Department, Outlaw Nationals Car Show fundraiser for burn victims, spring Pilgrimage Tour of Homes and Christmas Candlelight Tour of Homes both promoting the historic significance of Jefferson plus various other events throughout the year.

Kathy and her husband Skip usually contribute and volunteer together side by side. Both are involved in many of the same organizations and events. Rarely do you see one without the other. However, Kathy does take time for herself with monthly Ladies Bunco game nights!

 Louis Torrans

Serving as the company’s Vice President and Co-Owner, Louis or as he is more commonly known to family and friends as Skip, sees to the manufacturing and marketing aspects of the business. Skip’s family linage extends back several generations in Jefferson and Marion County. The company name is from his great-great-grandfather who established Torrans Manufacturing Company in 1850 here in Jefferson. This is his second career after having spent over twenty years in the oil and gas fields of Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana as an onsite company representative. He is responsible for design and development of the company’s popular East Texas Adirondack line of furniture.

Skip is from a long line of entrepreneurs with a strong spirit of independence. Not wanting to remain tied to the oil business and its ups and downs; Skip retired in 2000 and began building the company as an antique lumber dealer and custom furniture and cabinet maker. Through his development of the company’s East Texas Adirondack furniture line, he saw a need for the old metal lawn furniture and began offering one style of chair in only five colors. The line has since grown considerably. He is quick to point out that all Torrans products compare alongside in both quality and value to vintage examples.

When not performing his company duties, Skip is involved with several civic organizations, serving on their boards and committees. Some of these include Historic Jefferson Foundation, Jefferson Lions Club, First United Methodist Church, Boo Benefit and Riverport Ambassadors. While not an avid participant, he has been involved in Community Theater from time to time in comedic roles. Skip has a new book coming out in 2013 covering the history of the American Metal Lawn Chair. His level of knowledge in the old furniture’s antiquity has so far gone without challenge.