About Us
La-Z-Boy delivers comfort, quality and style that you can depend on.
How it all began…
It was 1927, in Monroe Detroit when two cousins (Edwin Shoemaker and Edward Knabusch) designed their first La-Z-Boy recliner. Until this date, no one had considered developing a chair that reclined…a simple, yet innovative idea.
At the time, the cousins constructed the chair entirely out of timber, with the mechanism allowing the chair to move forward, as you pushed the top part of the chair backwards. The chair’s appearance represented something you would find on your deck or patio today and was designed to represent ‘nature's way of relaxing’.
The following year, this dynamic duo evolved their design and developed an upholstered version, this time designed for use inside the home. It wasn’t until 1961 however, that the real turning point occurred for the La-Z-Boy brand, with the invention of the La-Z-Boy rocker-recliner. Not only did the La-Z-Boy chair recline, but it now rocked back and forth. This small change led to a big reward, with sales catapulting from $1 million a year to over $52 million in the 10 years following. In the 1960s, other furniture pieces including reclining sofas, sofa beds and modular sofas were introduced.
It was in 1983 that La-Z-Boy then started to stock its first range of stationary sofas and chairs…proving the brand could appeal to a broader market. La-Z-Boy was set to put its mark on the world and expanded into other continents, including New Zealand and Australia.
A legacy of comfort
It is not just the design that allowed for the global success of La-Z-Boy. A combination of branding, planning, people and innovation, worked with the La-Z-Boy core values of comfort, quality and style…..For nearly 100 years, these values have been the backbone of La-Z-Boy and why the brand has been so successful. People are at the heart of La-Z-Boy's operations. From the designers who craft each piece to the sales teams who help customers, every member of the La-Z-Boy family plays a vital role in upholding the brand's standards. La-Z-Boy has fostered a culture where the quality of the products and the satisfaction of the customers are a testament to the passion and dedication of its workers.
We’re extremely proud to continue providing quality furniture to our customers across New Zealand for over four decades. Not only is our immediate family still involved in the day-to-day operation of the business, but also our surrogate family, our valued Morgan Furniture employees, many of whom have worked for my father and also grandfather! A testament to the loyalty that surrounds our company and the La-Z-Boy brand. We have enjoyed being part of the evolution of the La-Z-Boy brand across the years, and look forward to future years. Whilst innovation and designs will change, one thing won’t and that is our commitment to ensuring our customers are always at the heart of what we do.
John Morgan – CEO, La-Z-Boy New Zealand
This culture is replicated in New Zealand where the Morgan family have had the manufacturing and marketing rights for La-Z-Boy for over four decades.
Our La-Z-Boy furniture range is uniquely designed to fit what New Zealanders are searching for in a La-Z-Boy chair or sofa. As a family-led business, family is often at the forefront of our designs, and the business in general. Whilst the designs that come from head office in the USA often inspire our range, our final products are unique to New Zealand and what Australians are searching for in a La-Z-Boy chair or sofa and the fact it has been a family-led business, means family is often the forefront of designs and the business in general. Whether through the introduction of new materials, the integration of cutting-edge technology, or the development of ergonomic designs, La-Z-Boy has remained at the forefront of the industry, offering products that meet the evolving needs and desires of the family.
Family and memories…
No doubt, you will remember curling up with your Mum or Dad, Grandparents and/or friends on a La-Z-Boy recliner. Not only has La-Z-Boy become iconic in terms of the design, but also what the recliner represents. For nearly 100 years, La-Z-Boy has meant quality time with family, conversations shared and memories created. This has not changed, despite La-Z-Boy’s design having changed over the years to mirror developments such as innovation and advancements in technology.
With developments in technical functionality including powered recliners, lift recliners (allowing the user to practically stand up out of the chair), USB charging, and spill and stain-resistant materials - to name a few – La-Z-Boy continues to lead developments in furniture technology. A broad range of stylish sofas and modulars also means La-Z-Boy can be a one-stop shop for all your comfort needs
La-Z-Boy is best known for comfort, quality and innovation. Creating new memories for future generations by making a pledge to keep giving you moments of laziness you can cherish, no matter that what the world throws at you, and to always put you first.
A global La-Z-Boy foot-print
La-Z-Boy brings the transformational power of comfort to people, homes, and communities around the world—a mission that began when its founders invented the iconic recliner in 1927. Today, the company operates as a vertically integrated furniture manufacturer and retailer, committed to uncompromising quality and compassion for its consumers.
La-Z-Boy NZ provides an exclusive range of models curated for our local consumer. Our range comprises of many styles and designs only available in NZ but take inspiration from La-Z-Boy UK or USA meeting our global standards for comfort, quality and innovation. If you see any La-Z-Boy product from our international partner websites or stores overseas that you’re interested in- contact us so we can provide a recommendation from our extensive local range that fits your specific need.
La-Z-Boy is best known for comfort, quality and innovation. Creating new memories for future generations by making a pledge to keep giving you moments of laziness you can cherish, no matter that what the world throws at you, and to always put you first.
What does Long Live the Lazy stand for?
In a society that’s always expecting us to do more, La-Z-Boy is standing up for your right to sit down and take well deserved ‘lazy moments’. You have earned the right to kick up your feet and relax without guilt. As the brand that invented truly comfortable furniture that restores body and soul – La-Z-Boy wants to enable and remind people to create moments that what you want to keep living in.
• Advocates for ‘lazy moments’ and self-care
• Connects to what’s going on in the world today, especially in NZ
• It’s a movement – or we like to say, it’s a “Don’t Movement”
Join us today.