La-Z-Boy boosts Bauhaus, will drop HickoryMark
By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, August 26, 2002
MONROE, Mich. — Manufacturing powerhouse La-Z-Boy says it will drop its HickoryMark upholstery brand and transfer the two plants to its Bauhaus subsidiary to meet rising demand.
La-Z-Boy said HickoryMark, part of its purchase of Ladd Furniture in January 2000, has experienced declining sales and profits. But Bauhaus, acquired in 1999, has seen increasing demand.
HickoryMark will build out its backlog and cease manufacturing in its two Tupelo, Miss.-area plants on Oct. 25. Bauhaus, which already operates four plants in the Tupelo area, will begin manufacturing in the HickoryMark facilities on Oct. 28, La-Z-Boy said.
"This redeployment of our assets will enable the company's Upholstery Group to continue to meet the increasing demand for its highly popular lifestyle products, as well as improve its delivery times and service capabilities," said Jerry Kiser, La-Z-Boy president and chief executive officer. "We will strive to make this transition as seamless as possible for HickoryMark customers and employees."
