La-Z-Boy temporarily closed, employees furloughed

SILOAM SPRINGS — La-Z-Boy is temporarily closing all of its U.S. manufacturing facilities, including the facility in Siloam Springs, until at least April 13 in response to the covid-19 crisis, the company announced Sunday.

La-Z-Boy also is in the process of closing all company-owned LaZ-Boy Furniture Galleries stores, with 130 of 155 stores closed as of Sunday, according to a corporate press release. In addition, regional distribution centers will be closed once in-process orders are delivered, the release states.

The decision will be reevaluated on April 13, it states.

The company furloughed approximately 6,800 employees or about 70 percent of its global workforce, the release states. The Siloam Springs facility has 412 employees, according to Audra Farrell, human resource manager.

Furloughed employees will be compensated for 40 hours this week and will have extended health benefits, Farrell said.

“As we move through this unprecedented global pandemic, keeping our employees, customers and the communities in which we operate safe and healthy is of paramount importance,” said Kurt L. Darrow, company chairman, president and CEO in the press release.

The company has followed all government regulations and recommendations and has implemented best-practice health and safety protocols, he said.

La-Z-Boy is not aware of any confirmed coronavirus cases across the enterprise and will continue efforts to keep facilities clean and safe, he said.

“While the decisions made were extremely difficult and we deeply regret the impact they will have on those affected and their families, they are deemed necessary as we face one of the most challenging periods in our history,” Darrow said.