Although facility expansion was nothing new to Best Chairs, in 1991 Best took a different approach to expansion. 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.
By 1991 Best Chairs' shipping had a fleet of 19 tractors and 36 trailors 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.
In 1994 Best Chairs purchased one of its suppliers, Jasper Woodworking. This enabled Best to produce its own dimensioned frame parts, and boosted employment by 72. Also during this decade sewing operations began in Paoli, IN when Best Chairs occupied the facility formerly run by Simmons, adding another 29 employees.
In 1996, 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.
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