La-Z-Boy UK has recently completed a major overhaul of operations at its factory in China, to cement its reputation as a world-class furniture manufacturer. The firm has made a $400,000 investment to introduce a 90-point lean manufacturing programme that has seen the factory employ advanced manufacturing techniques.
The extensive changes, which have taken place over four months, will mean the factory will have an increased capacity of more than 300 pieces per day. As a result, all lead times for made-to-order furniture are now consistent at 10-12 weeks.
Sales director of La-Z-Boy UK, Dave Darragh, says the changes have raised a high bar even higher. “La-Z-Boy is recognised worldwide as a quality manufacturer and we are now pushing our standards even further by introducing these new, hi-tech systems and processes,” he said.
“Retailers can rest assured that our lean manufacturing programme will ensure customers receive a fully quality-checked product to a 12-week lead time. For stock items, this is reduced to a six-week lead time.
“We are now in a unique position to be able to offer the ultimate in quality, while producing more than 10,000 different product options. Each of our product ranges is available in every fabric and leather colourway, in power, manual or static options, making our choice for customers unrivalled in the marketplace.”
The lean manufacturing process introduces improvements in areas including performance management, production techniques, raw material audits, loading and packaging. Areas such as waste elimination, cost reduction and productivity have also been addressed.
