Following the completion of a consultation period which began on 29th October (see related), La-Z-Boy Inc has decided to close its UK manufacturing facility in Colne, the former Furnico manufacturing unit it acquired in 2021.
"During the discussions and individual consultation meetings, several suggestions were received and explored, but none were sufficient to ensure the future commercial viability of the plant," says the US-based brand. "Operations at La-Z-Boy Manufacturing UK Ltd will wind down in phases, with production ceasing by the end of our current fiscal year, in April 2026.
"We recognise the impact this decision will have on our valued employees and their families and are committed to supporting them throughout the transition. All impacted employees will receive outplacement assistance, as well as a redundancy package.
"La-Z-Boy remains committed to its UK business, and our wholesale supply for the UK and Ireland will continue without interruption from our existing global manufacturing network."
The business attributed the decision to explore the factory's closure to weak market demand.
"Over the past two years, La-Z-Boy’s UK manufacturing business has experienced consistently low order volumes, which has impacted operational costs," explained La-Z-Boy UK.