Hickorymark To Unveil New Level Of Quality And Service At April Market La-Z-Boy Expertise and Resources Enhance Operations at Key Division

Furniture World Magazine

Retailers who visit the HickoryMark showroom at Market this April are in for a pleasant surprise. With support from parent company La-Z-Boy Incorporated, HickoryMark has spent the last six months increasing operation efficiencies, improving customer service and escalating production performance. As a result, the company already known for its style now also offers retailers and consumers a whole new level of service. "We are excited to unveil the new and improved HickoryMark at the upcoming Market," said John J. Case, president of the La-Z-Boy Upholstery Group. "It is our goal that all La-Z-Boy divisions be world-class organizations. HickoryMark has always had a strong reputation for fashion, and with the recent improvements in the areas of delivery, customer service and operations, the company is now ready to set the standard in its market segment." La-Z-Boy Incorporated invested significant resources in a wide range of initiatives aimed at increasing the customer focus of the HickoryMark organization, including CNC technology, updated computer systems and new transportation equipment. The operations at HickoryMark’s two manufacturing facilities in Mississippi also have been evaluated and refurbished. "The support we have received from the La-Z-Boy organization has been truly overwhelming and critical to our continued success," said Jim Wall, the recently appointed CEO of HickoryMark. "The savings that have been generated by improved efficiencies have given us a real transformation in operational performance and product quality." To facilitate this transformation, La-Z-Boy Incorporated recruited talent and expertise from its other divisions. England, in particular, served as a model for how the HickoryMark business should operate. "Long known for its unparalleled customer service and delivery, England has been a great help to us," said Wall. "There is a big market for HickoryMark’s higher fashion looks, especially when combined with prompt delivery and good service." "It has been extremely gratifying to see the improvements that already have been made in the operations of this division," said Case. "We are looking forward to the spring Market when retailers will have a chance to meet the new management at HickoryMark and learn what this remodeled business can do for them." With annual sales in excess of $2 billion, La-Z-Boy Incorporated is one of the world’s largest residential furniture producers, with manufacturing operations in ten states and four foreign countries. The La-Z-Boy Incorporated family of companies produces furniture for every room of the home and office under the brand names Alexvale, American Drew, Bauhaus, Centurion, Clayton Marcus, England, Hammary, HickoryMark, Kincaid, La-Z-Boy, La-Z-Boy Contract Furniture Group, Lea, Pennsylvania House and Sam Moore. Under the American of Martinsville brand name, La-Z-Boy is also a leading manufacturer of contract furniture for the hospitality and assisted-living markets. La-Z-Boy stock is traded on the New York and Pacific stock exchanges under the trading symbol: LZB. Additional information on the company is available at www.lazboy.com.