DETROIT – An iconic Michigan-based company is celebrating a milestone this year.
Monroe-based La-Z-Boy furniture has been in business now for more than 90 years.
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Since rolling out their first recliner in 1928, the company has grown and evolved into a globally recognized staple in the furniture world.
In 1927, Edwin Shoemaker and cousin Edward Knabusch started the Floral City Furniture Company, building novelty furniture in Detroit.
The cousins created a wooden porch chair that moved forward as its back moved backwards. They eventually made an upholstered version, and by 1929, the La-Z-Boy recliner had a patent.
La-Z-Boy survived many ups and downs through the last century, including the Great Depression - when they actually accepted corn and cows for chairs at times.
The company manufactured seats for military vehicles in World War II, and continued working with the military for years to follow.
By the late 1960s, La-Z-Boy started designing sofas and other furniture, as well as home furnishings.
With the corporate headquarters still based in Monroe, Michigan, five U.S. manufacturing plants, six distribution centers and nearly 111 company-owned retail stores, La-Z-Boy employs more than 6,300 people nationwide.
This was a video La-Z-Boy created for their 85th anniversary, but it's still very relevant today.