La-Z-Boy opens trucking hub

La-Z-Boy opens trucking hub

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La-Z-Boy Logistics has recently opened a terminal in the old U.S. Motors plant building with truckers leaving Philadelphia and delivering about 50 loads of furniture and supplies each week.

That workload is expected to increase, and the company is looking to hire more drivers, company officials said.

La-Z-Boy rents the U.S. Motors building from the city of Philadelphia. It uses the space as a warehouse and distribution center. The company also has two operations in Newton. The downtown plant makes furniture. The other on Highway 15 is called the plywood plant and produces materials for the company’s plants around the country.

About a year ago, it was widely reported the downtown La-Z-Boy plant was closing. But as it turns out, it is running strong today.

“When COVID-19 hit, everything slowed down,” said Charles Campbell, drivers manager for La-Z-Boy Logistics. “They made the decision to slow down production. They made the decision to close the Newton plant.

“When we got past COVID, sales went through the roof. La-Z-Boy was needing all the production they can get at any facility. So, they brought Newton online full force.”

The increase involved trucking, too.

“We have plenty of freight to haul,” Campbell said. “We are a subsidiary of La-Z-Boy. They own us. We are their private carrier.”

Until recently, local trucks were dispatched out of an office in Tennessee. When more drivers came on, the decision was made to open the Philadelphia hub.

A trucking company in a neighboring county closed. It had been hauling freight for La-Z-Boy, Campbell said.

“The story is, they had a bunch of trucks and drivers who ran for us,” Campbell said. “The owner contacted us. We came in and hired most of his drivers and took over what they were doing for La-Z-Boy. Our biggest need is drivers who can be stationed near Philadelphia and Newton.”

The increase led to the opening of the Philadelphia hub. Jennifer Burris has been hired as the logistics dispatch.

Currently, there are 12 drivers stationed at the Philadelphia hub and eight in Newton. Soon, her office will be dispatching the Newton drivers, too.

Burris’ office is located in the old office area at the Old U.S. Motors building. The trucks will be parked in an area behind the building.

Burris said the trailers would be prepacked and ready to go when a driver arrives.

“They drop off the empty trailer and hook up to the loaded one,” Burris said. “Then they are on their way.”

Lisa Jones, the company’s driver recruiter, said anyone interested in driving for La-Z-Boy Logistics could contact her at 1-800-987-7788 or 423-851-4837. She said she hopes to come to Philadelphia in January to hold an open house and look for drivers.






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