La-Z-Boy (Thailand) Ltd. Announces Opening Of New Manufacturing Facility In Chon Buri Province, Thailand

Furniture World Magazine

La-Z-Boy Incorporated, Globiz Venture Company, Ltd. and Morgan Enterprises, Ltd. have announced a joint venture to open La-Z-Boy (Thailand) Ltd., a new manufacturing facility located in Chon Buri Province. The new facility produces La-Z-Boy recliners for distribution in Thailand, Australia and the Pacific Rim. Located approximately 50 kilometers southeast of Bangkok in Chon Buri Province, the La-Z-Boy (Thailand) Ltd. factory occupies 50,000 square feet of a building on the Industrial Estate owned by P.P. Parawood Co. Ltd. Currently, the plant produces six styles of La-Z-Boy recliners and plans to add new styles early next year. All styles manufactured at this location are produced in leather. Production of La-Z-Boy recliners began at the new facility in April 1999. By the end of 1999, the new company will employ 50 people and will produce an estimated 60 units per day. "La-Z-Boy (Thailand) Ltd. is a key component in our company's vision and strategy to be a leader in the global furniture marketplace," stated Patrick H. Norton, chairman of La-Z-Boy Incorporated. "This plant will help expand the presence and distribution of La-Z-Boy in the Far East and Australia." "The selection of Thailand as a manufacturing base was determined by its strategic location as a member of ASEAN," added Gerald M. Kiser, president of La-Z-Boy Incorporated. "The decision also was influenced by the availability of trained personnel and cooperation on the part of the Thai government." A press briefing to announce the official grand opening of La-Z-Boy (Thailand) Ltd. was held on Wednesday, December 8, 1999 at The Oriental, Bangkok "This new manufacturing facility in Thailand already has received high marks in quality," stated Dhanakorn Kasetrsuwan, a director of La-Z-Boy (Thailand) Ltd. "We are pleased to continue the tradition of comfort, quality and value for which La-Z-Boy is known throughout the world." Kasetrsuwan is a leading representative of Thai furniture manufacturers for the U.S. market. He and Pongpanich Wongdeethai, president of P.P. Parawood, the premier dining room and bedroom furniture manufacturer in Thailand, are partners in Globitz Venture Company, Ltd. Morgan Enterprises, Ltd., is headed by Graham Morgan, chairman and managing director of New Zealand's leading furniture manufacturer. Morgan Enterprises is a sister company of Morgan Furniture Ltd. which has been affiliated with La-Z-Boy for 30 years as a licensee, manufacturing La-Z-Boy products for sale in New Zealand and Australia. Morgan views the venture as "an opportunity to complement Morgan Enterprises' own manufacturing capabilities, and enhance penetration into the Australian motion furniture market." La-Z-Boy Incorporated is the largest manufacturer of upholstered furniture in the United States and among the five largest furniture manufacturing companies in the world. Headquartered in Monroe, Michigan, the company employs 12,500 people at 31 manufacturing plants in the United States, Canada and Europe. Contributing to the company's annual sales of more than $1.2 billion are eight independent divisions, including La-Z-Boy Residential; La-Z-Boy Business Furniture Group; Hammary Furniture Company; Kincaid Furniture Company; England/Corsair, Inc.; Centurion Furniture PLC; Sam Moore Furniture Industries and Bauhaus USA.