La-Z-Boy adds 125 jobs at Siloam Springs plant
by July 22, 2020 12:59 pm 2,200 views
Monroe, Mich.-based furniture manufacturer La-Z-Boy Inc. recently expanded its second shift at its Siloam Springs plant and added 125 jobs.
The company previously announced it closed a manufacturing plant in Newton, Miss., and its production would be shifted to three company plants, including one in Siloam Springs.
On Wednesday (July 22), Gov. Asa Hutchinson and Mike Preston, secretary of commerce and executive director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, (AEDC) toured the Siloam Springs plant.
“La-Z-Boy has gained the community’s confidence through its decades-long commitment to Siloam Springs, and I am pleased by its continued investment in the local workforce,” Hutchinson said. “La-Z-Boy’s decision to expand in Benton County is good news for the region and for the state.”
In March, when the plant was shut down as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, it had about 420 employees. By late June, more than 300 employees had returned to the plant. With the expansion, the plant will have 545 employees.
“Since we restarted production and retailers have reopened, including the La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries stores, we are experiencing strong demand,” said Daren Davison, midwest general manager for La-Z-Boy. “Adding to our workforce in Siloam Springs will allow us [to] service this demand while leveraging the efficiencies we have created, improve delivery times to our customers and provide them with the service they have come to expect from us.”
The Siloam Springs plant was established 43 years ago, and the La-Z-Boy Foundation has given more than $1.26 million to Siloam Springs and area communities, according to a news release.
“La-Z-Boy’s decision to add a second shift is great news as we work to increase economic momentum within the state,” Preston said. “Businesses continue to take note of our dedicated workforce and pro-business environment. La-Z-Boy has been a strong community partner for decades, and we are looking forward to continuing that relationship as it embarks on this new endeavor.”
The company is accepting applications for employees. Link here for more information.