Our History

1900

  • 1903

    view image Drexel Furniture begins making a three-piece oak bedroom suite in Morganton, NC with a wholesale price of $14.50

  • 1905

    view image Thomas H. Broyhill starts making chairs in Lenoir, NC

  • 1907

    Brothers T.J. and D.F. Finch acquire the Thomasville Chair Company

  • 1911

    view image Hickory Chair Company begins making a single product -- a made-to-order dining room chair with the motto "Chairs Made Better Than Seems Necessary"

    Roberts, Johnson & Rand Shoe Company merges with Peters Shoe Company to form International Shoe Company in St. Louis, MO

  • 1912

    view image The Lane family begins making cedar chests in Altavista, VA

  • 1932

    Heritage Furniture Company founded in High Point, NC

  • 1942

    Clyde Pearson Company formed in High Point, NC and specializes in custom upholstery

  • 1943

    view image Hickory Chair launches the James River Collection -- the longest running collection of 18th century reproductions

  • 1945

    Henredon founded in Morganton, NC and takes its name from its three founders -- Henry Wilson, Ralph Edwards, and Don VanNoppen

  • 1953

    Interco, the successor to International Shoe Company, acquires Florsheim

  • 1956

    Drexel acquires Heritage; they operate separately until 1974

  • 1967

    Lane acquires Hickory Chair

  • 1969

    Lane acquires Clyde Pearson Company

  • 1972

    view image The Broyhill Showcase debuts on The Price is Right

    Lane partners with Venture Furniture to introduce a wicker and rattan indoor product

    view image Lane acquires Action Industries of Tupelo, MS and enters the motion furniture market

  • 1979

    view image Paul Maitland-Smith, a London antiques dealer, forms the eponymous company with a focus on unique lighting, accent and accessory pieces

  • 1980

    Interco diversifies into home furnishings with the acquisition of Ethan Allen

  • 1981

    view image Broyhill Furniture Industries acquired

  • 1984

    Interco begins a rationalization of its portfolio, shedding most retail and footwear businesses

  • 1987

    view image Lane Furniture Industries acquired

  • 1989

    Interco divests Ethan Allen

    view image Laneventure patents the WeatherMaster cushion system and creates the premium outdoor furniture segment

  • 1990

    Hickory Chair creates its EDGE management philosophy -- Employees Dedicated to Growth and Excellence

  • 1994

    Interco sells remaining footwear businesses

  • 1995

    view image Thomasville Furniture Industries acquired

  • 1996

    view image Name changed from Interco to Furniture Brands International to reflect focus on furniture

  • 2001

    view image Broyhill launches Attic Heirlooms, its most popular collection ever and still its best seller

    Brand portfolio expands with acquisition of Henredon, Drexel Heritage and Maitland-Smith

    view image Inaugural session of Hickory Chair University held to showcase the brand's unique customization and production capabilities

  • 2007

    Furniture Brands launches its "Build, Win, Deliver, Grow" strategic plan

  • 2008

    view image Lane Mobile Showroom Tour named nation's top mobile marketing program

    Full focus on residential home furnishings with sale of Hickory Business Furniture

  • 2009

    Broyhill begins production at its state-of-the-art Vision 1 upholstery plant in Lenoir

    FBN Asia launched to gain more control over global supply chain

2009

Do you hold a piece of our history? Submit your story and pictures to us at history@furniturebrands.com. We will try to feature it in our timeline or on our blog.