By the time of Best Chairs 25th anniversary, work had begun on a 2,500 square foot office expansion. Employment had grown to over 300 people who could produce over 20,000 possible model/fabric/color combinations. Recliner production was just beginning and the name 'Best Rest' was adopted for this line; it later became known simply as Best Chairs' 'Recliner Division.' It was in the '80's that Best started making a name for themselves and being recognized as a real player in the industry. In 1985 Best Chairs was named as the top selling brand of chairs according to subscribers of Professional Furniture Merchant. Best Chairs also became the leading manufacturer of swivel rockers in the world! With the addition of a new shipping warehouse, Best Chairs encompassed over 149,000 square feet and employed 208 men and women.
By the end of the decade, Best was growing fast. In April of 1988 Clem Lange bought out fellow co-founder Ernest Prechtel and the Lange family became sole owners of the company. Technology was becoming a major factor in the production of chairs and Best was not shy about trying the latest state-of-the-art advances. In September of 1989, Best Chairs became the first in the area to use IBM's AS400 computer system, which gave the company better inventory control and a shorter lead time.
Also in 1989 a 9,000 square foot expansion project for the Recliner Division began and was headed by Clem's oldest son and current Best Chairs CEO Glenn Lange. Employment had reached 325 people and Best Chairs' air conditioned facilities stretched over 225,000 square feet. Best showcased their products during these years in High Point, NC, Atlanta, GA and Dallas, TX.
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