La-Z-Boy Celebrates 90 Years
Furniture World News Desk on
3/25/2017
La-Z-Boy reports that it is celebrating its milestone 90th anniversary with more than 6,300 employees nationwide, spanning its corporate headquarters in Michigan, five U.S. manufacturing plants, six U.S. distribution centers, and 142 corporate-owned La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries® stores (an additional 204 store locations are dealer owned).
Ninety years ago, cousins Edward M. Knabusch and Edwin J. Shoemaker built a game-changing piece of furniture in Monroe, Mich., with the goal of providing lasting comfort. Their hard work evolved into a true American success story and a brand that has become a household name.
“Since the very first day, La-Z-Boy has had a clear focus on building comfortable, great-looking furniture with a focus on quality,” said Kurt Darrow, Chairman, President and CEO, of La-Z-Boy, Incorporated. “While our brand has continued to evolve and our products have become more innovative and design focused, our commitment to our customers has remained steadfast.”
Most recently, the company demonstrated its commitment to innovation with the announcement of a $26 million investment in its largest manufacturing facility in Dayton, Tenn. This investment includes the construction of a new, state-of-the-art Innovation Center that will house a model shop, technology center, test lab and three-dimensional printing lab.
Currently, La-Z-Boy has 246 issued and active patents in the United States and internationally, serving as a testament to its commitment to innovation, research and development.
La-Z-Boy has been at the forefront of offering products that meet the needs of its customers. Examples include:
- Innovative fabric options such as iClean, a high-performance stain-repelling fabric that helps prevent spills from turning into stains;
- Urban Attitudes, a collection designed to complement smaller spaces that includes an eclectic mix of sofas and chairs;
- Partnering with industry leaders to offer the best in power recline functionality and technology enhancements including rechargeable battery packs, USB charging stations and more.
The company recently launched a newly redesigned desktop and mobile website, created to offer consumers a more dynamic and intuitive digital experience. In recent years, La-Z-Boy also redefined its retail concept, offering consumers an award-winning design plan that highlights style and inspirations, reinforces the company’s brand proposition and celebrate its depth of product offering beyond the iconic chair. From free design services to a full range of accessories and casegoods (wood) furniture products under the brand names American Drew, Hammary and Kincaid, customers can find everything they need to truly transform their houses into homes.
“Our innovative spirit started 90 years ago with a focus on comfort,” said Darrow. “We’re proud of our past, and today La-Z-Boy is focused on the future and committed to moving our brand forward.”
More about La-Z-Boy: Headquartered in Monroe, Mich., La-Z-Boy has been producing some of the world’s most comfortable furniture for 90 years. The company manufactures a full line of comfortable products for the living room and family room, including the company’s world-famous recliners, reclining sofas and love seats, sleep sofas, modular furniture and leather upholstery, as well as stationary sofas, love seats and chairs. It is a division of La-Z-Boy Incorporated (NYSE: LZB), one of the world’s leading residential furniture producers, marketing furniture for every room of the home. “Live Life Comfortably.®” For more information, visit www.la-z-boy.com