La-Z-Boy factory in Tennessee wins Best Plants award

Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, January 21, 2013

MONROE, Mich. — La-Z-Boy's factory in Dayton, Tenn., has been given the prestigious Best Plants award from Industry Week magazine.

The 1.2 million-square-foot factory was one of six North American manufacturing facilities to receive the award for 2012.

Winners will be honored at an awards ceremony during Industry Week's annual Best Plants Conference, which takes place April 22-24 in Greenville, S.C.

"We are pleased that La-Z-Boy has been recognized with this prestigious honor for our lean and continuous improvement efforts as we strive to deliver the highest quality products to our customers," said Kurt Darrow, president and CEO. "I applaud and thank all of our associates for their hard work and dedication to ensure our Dayton facility is a world-class manufacturing operation that is unmatched by others in the industry."

The factory, which has about 1,300 employees, produces the company's fully customizable upholstery line, including sofas, chairs and ottomans. It has been a finalist for the Industry Week honor the past three years, but 2012 was the first time it won.

La-Z-Boy said key components to the Dayton plant's success are just-in-time material supply and replenishment, on-time delivery of finished goods, and sustainable quality products. The facility's lean manufacturing strategy has resulted in reduced waste, shorter production lead times, and improved productivity and safety, the company said.

Industry Week said the Best Plants award recognizes factories that are leaders in efforts to increase competiveness, enhance customer satisfaction and create stimulating and rewarding work environments.

"We believe the La-Z-Boy Dayton, Tenn., facility is a pacesetter among North American manufacturers in terms of operational strategy, production practices and performance, and will continue to lead the way in the future," said Jill Jusko, senior editor at Industry Week.