New technology gives La-Z-Boy a lift
Larry Thomas -- Furniture Today, May 22, 2006
High Point — La-Z-Boy said it did well at market with a line of motorized lift chairs featuring a patented technology that allows the base of the chair to remain on the ground as the seat is lifted.
The three-chair lineup, called the Luxury Lift collection, also keeps the motorized parts of the chair hidden while it is in the lift position.
"These chairs have great versatility, and they don't look like lift chairs when they are in the closed position," said Paula Hoyas, vice president of upholstery merchandising. "They have both style and function."
She said the chairs, which retail for $999 to $1,299, are targeted to aging baby boomers and other adults with physical problems that limit their mobility — even temporarily.
"This could be for the person who just had knee surgery and can't put a lot of pressure on (the repaired joint) when they're getting up," Hoyas said.
In addition to the technology that allows the base to stay on the ground, some models include a seat that can be heated. And all the chairs feature an articulating backrest that supports the user's back while getting in and out of the chair.
"We had great response to this at market," Hoyas said. "Our dealers seemed to like the 'box within a box' mechanism."
