La-Z-Boy history

In 1927, cousins Edward M. Knabusch and Edwin J. Shoemaker partnered and invested in the furniture business in the town of Monroe, Michigan.

Things have really evolved since La-Z-Boy first introduced the recliner in 1928.

The men attended their first furniture show in May 1929 and returned with more orders than they could fill.

In 1933 the first floor of their factory was converted into a showroom.

Business was so successful that in 1935 the partners opened a new showroom.

Completed in June 1938, the new mechanism was so different from the original that all new patents were required.

The licensing agreements came to an end in 1939, and all manufacturing operations returned to Floral City Furniture.

In order to separate the manufacturing and retailing functions, the La-Z-Boy Chair Company was incorporated in May 1941.

At the war's end, the company reverted to civilian trade, and production of La-Z-Boy recliners began at the new building in 1947.

The platform rocker was introduced in 1951.

1952: The first La-Z-Boy recliner with built-in footrest is introduced.

In 1959 the company built a loveseat designed to look like a car seat.

Late in 1960, the partners introduced the Reclina-Rocker.

In order to keep up with increasing production and to help the company expand into the national market, La-Z-Boy opened its first factory outside of Michigan in Newton, Mississippi, in 1961.

In 1969, after years primarily as a manufacturer of recliners, La-Z-Boy started designing other products including reclining sofas, sleep sofas and modular groups.

1970: The company offers recliners with electric controls.

In March 1972, the company went public, and, in the first year, 600 people bought over 320,000 shares in over-the-counter trading.