The company's success started with a simple theme: make the best quality product at the most affordable price. While much has changed over the years, one thing has remained constant: our promise of quality and customer satisfaction. Best's product selection has grown to 100's of styles available in 1,000+ covers made to order in days, not weeks. Learn about our six pillars that make Best Home Furnishings truly, one of the best. WE ARE BEST™
Best Chairs begins as a small chair manufacturer in an old cannery building and repairs furniture and old truck seats. Founders Clem Lange and Ernie Prechtel Sr. establish the company on a basic principle: build the best quality product at the most affordable price. The following year, Best moves to an old store building and opens a production line with 5 employees, including the two founders.
Best Chairs purchases 5.5 acres of land at Best’s current Ferdinand, Indiana location. On this piece of land, they build a 21,300 square foot plant to house 52 employees as well as operations for finishing, fabricating, and assembly divisions.
Four sales reps cover Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, and Michigan.
The company adds a 20,000 square foot warehouse, and begins using computers to track inventory, payroll, and order processing.
By the end of the 1970's, Best grows to more than 102,000 square feet and 130 employees.
Best Chairs was named as the top selling brand of chairs according to subscribers of the Professional Furniture Merchant publication.
Best Chairs also became the leading manufacturer of swivel rockers in the entire world!
Fischer Chair of Tell City, IN, makers of rocking chairs, glider rockers and occasional chairs, was purchased by Best Chairs. This move allowed Best to expand its product offerings and production capabilities. The former Fischer product line became what is now known as the County Line division.
Also, Best Chairs’ shipping had a fleet of 19 tractors and 36 trailers responsible for placing Best’s products in all 50 states and over 20 countries. Best Chairs had recently purchased a building from the former Oeding Corporation of Ferdinand and glide rocker production began in that facility. By this time Best Chairs ranked 82nd among the nation’s furniture manufacturers and had experienced an annual increase in sales for 30 years.
Best Chairs purchased one of its suppliers, Jasper Woodworking. This enabled Best to produce its own dimensioned frame parts, and boosted employment by 72 people.
Also during this decade, sewing operations began in Paoli, IN when Best Chairs occupied the facility formerly run by Simmons, adding another 29 employees.
Best Chairs, Inc. formed Best Chairs Transit, Inc., a separate company handling warehousing and shipping. BC Transit immediately announced the addition of a 178,000 square foot warehouse and was one of the first to utilize a high tech computer controlled warehouse conveyor system to automate material handling and speed delivery. With the addition of the new warehouse, Best’s workforce exceeded 750 employees.
Best Chairs launches the introduction of the Beast recliner series. It is the largest and most durable recliner in the industry accommodating up to 500 pounds of everyday use, and stretches to a lengthy 83” when reclined.
For the sixth year in a row, Best receives the Reader’s Choice Award from Baby & Children’s Product News in the glider rocker category.
Founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Clem Lange, is nominated for the American Furniture Hall of Fame. Best celebrates its 50th anniversary.
Founder and Chairman of the Board, Clem Lange, is officially inducted into the American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame. The Induction Celebration, the industry’s most prestigious event, was held at Sheraton Greensboro Four Seasons where “Micracle on the Hudson” Captain Sully Sullenberger delivered an inspiring keynote address. It was here that Lange was introduced with a remarkable video highlighting his career.