Furniture Brands International
Corporate brand
UnclaimedFurniture Brands International was a United States home-furnishings company that assembled major furniture brands including Broyhill, Thomasville, Drexel Heritage, Henredon, Lane, Hickory Chair, Pearson, Laneventure, and Maitland-Smith.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
Furniture Brands International was a United States home-furnishings company headquartered in Clayton, Missouri. Its corporate history began in 1911, when Roberts, Johnson & Rand Shoe Company and Peters Shoe Company merged to create International Shoe Company. The original business was a large footwear manufacturer, with brands and operations that included Weatherbird, Red Goose, and Poll Parrot shoes, as well as factories, tanneries, and related industrial businesses. International Shoe diversified substantially after the Second World War. It acquired footwear, apparel, retail, and non-shoe businesses, and in 1966 changed its corporate name to Interco Inc. The renamed company pursued a broad conglomerate strategy during the 1960s and 1970s. Furniture became one of its principal activities in 1980, when Interco acquired Ethan Allen and Broyhill Furniture. The acquisition of Lane Company in 1987 further expanded its home-furnishings portfolio. These transactions made furniture one of Interco's most important and profitable operating areas, although the company continued to own businesses in footwear and other consumer categories. Interco encountered severe financial pressure in the late 1980s after acquisitions, a contested takeover effort, and substantial borrowing increased its debt burden. The company entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January 1991 and emerged in August 1992 after restructuring and the sale of most operations. It subsequently exited the shoe business, including the sale of Converse and Florsheim in 1994. The company then concentrated increasingly on furniture. In 1995, it acquired Thomasville Furniture Industries from Armstrong World Industries for $331 million. On March 1, 1996, Interco adopted the name Furniture Brands International, reflecting its focus on home furnishings. During the late 1990s, the company benefited from stronger earnings and a strategy centered on furniture manufacturing, motion furniture, retail relationships, and multiple market segments. Its portfolio covered mass-market and mid-market furniture through Broyhill and Lane, mainstream and premium furniture through Thomasville, and luxury or design-oriented products through Henredon, Drexel Heritage, Maitland-Smith, Hickory Chair, Pearson, and Laneventure. In 2001, Furniture Brands agreed to acquire Henredon, Drexel Heritage, and Maitland-Smith from Masco for $275 million. The businesses were subsequently organized under HDM Furniture Industries, strengthening the company's position in premium furniture. The company later consolidated manufacturing and administrative functions, closed or moved facilities, and adjusted its retail strategy. Thomasville and Drexel Heritage expanded company-owned stores, while Broyhill and Lane reduced company-operated retail locations and relied more heavily on independent furniture retailers. Furniture Brands also sold Hickory Business Furniture to HNI Corporation in 2008 for $75 million as it emphasized residential rather than office furnishings. The restructuring led to numerous plant closures and job reductions, particularly in North Carolina and Missouri. In 2008, Furniture Brands announced that it would move its headquarters from the St. Louis area to Clayton, Missouri, and transform itself from primarily a holding company into a more integrated operating company. The new headquarters was completed in October of that year. Several brands appeared at the Las Vegas Furniture Market beginning in 2009, expanding the company's presence in a major industry trade venue. The company ultimately faced renewed financial difficulties during a prolonged downturn in the furniture industry. In 2013, Furniture Brands International filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and announced plans to sell most of its divisions. KPS Capital Partners became the buyer of major assets and announced the creation of Heritage Home Group on November 25, 2013. Furniture Brands International therefore ceased to operate as the continuing owner of its former portfolio, although several of its brand names and operating businesses continued under successor ownership.
History
Furniture Brands International developed from International Shoe Company, created in 1911 through the merger of Roberts, Johnson & Rand Shoe Company and Peters Shoe Company. The St. Louis-based company became a major American footwear manufacturer and expanded its production, tanning, retail, and related activities. It incorporated in Delaware in 1921 and supplied substantial quantities of military footwear during the Second World War. After the war, the company pursued diversification. It acquired additional footwear and apparel businesses and began operating outside the traditional shoe sector. On March 1, 1966, International Shoe Company became Interco Inc. The new name expressed a conglomerate strategy that combined apparel, footwear, retailing, and other consumer businesses. Interco acquired Central Hardware and numerous manufacturers and retailers during the 1960s and 1970s, while also shifting some production overseas and closing selected factories. Furniture became a major Interco division in 1980. The company acquired Ethan Allen and Broyhill Furniture, followed by Lane Company in 1987. These purchases gave Interco a substantial presence in residential furniture, upholstery, and home furnishings. Interco also acquired Converse in 1986, but its expanding debt and broad corporate structure made it vulnerable to a leveraged takeover attempt in 1988. The failed transaction and subsequent debt burden contributed to a Chapter 11 filing in January 1991. Interco reorganized and emerged from bankruptcy in August 1992 under new ownership led by Apollo Investment Fund. It sold most businesses and completed its withdrawal from footwear in 1994. The furniture business became the center of the reorganized company. Interco purchased Thomasville Furniture Industries from Armstrong World Industries in November 1995. On March 1, 1996, it changed its name to Furniture Brands International. The company then operated a portfolio ranging from Broyhill and Lane to Thomasville and a group of more design-focused brands. In 2001, it agreed to purchase Henredon, Drexel Heritage, and Maitland-Smith from Masco. Those operations were grouped under HDM Furniture Industries, which helped establish a stronger premium-furniture platform. Furniture Brands used a combination of manufacturing, branded retail, independent furniture dealers, and trade-market presentation. In 2007, Thomasville and Drexel Heritage planned to expand company-owned stores, while Broyhill and Lane reduced their St. Louis-area retail presence and emphasized third-party retailers. The company also consolidated administration and production. In 2005, HDM announced plans to shift upholstery work among High Point and Mount Airy facilities and close the Henredon plant. In 2008, the company sold Hickory Business Furniture to HNI Corporation, intending to focus more closely on residential products. The consolidation program resulted in extensive facility closures and employment reductions in North Carolina and elsewhere. By 2008, Furniture Brands had closed many United States plants and moved or combined operations among its remaining facilities. That year it announced a headquarters move to Clayton, Missouri, where a new headquarters was completed in October. The company described the change as part of a transition from a holding-company model toward a more integrated operating structure. The furniture market remained difficult, and Furniture Brands eventually experienced renewed financial distress. In 2013, it filed for Chapter 11 protection and sought buyers for most of its divisions. KPS Capital Partners acquired major assets and announced Heritage Home Group on November 25, 2013. The transaction marked the end of Furniture Brands International as the continuing corporate owner of its former group, although successor businesses retained and operated several established furniture brands.
- 2013
Bankruptcy and formation of Heritage Home Group
[1]Furniture Brands files for Chapter 11; KPS Capital Partners subsequently establishes Heritage Home Group from major acquired divisions.
- 2008
Residential focus and headquarters consolidation
[1]The company sells Hickory Business Furniture, consolidates operations, and moves its headquarters to Clayton.
- 2001
Premium-furniture portfolio expands
[1]Furniture Brands agrees to acquire Henredon, Drexel Heritage, and Maitland-Smith from Masco.
- 1996
Furniture Brands International name adopted
[1]Interco changes its name to Furniture Brands International as it concentrates on furniture.
- 1995
Thomasville Furniture Industries is acquired
[1]Interco buys Thomasville Furniture Industries from Armstrong World Industries in a $331 million transaction.
- 1992
Interco emerges from bankruptcy
[1]The reorganized company emerges after selling most of its operations.
- 1991
Interco enters Chapter 11
[1]Interco files for bankruptcy protection amid debt and restructuring pressures.
- 1987
Lane Company is acquired
[1]The Lane acquisition increases the importance of furniture and home furnishings within Interco.
- 1980
Furniture becomes a major division
[1]Interco acquires Ethan Allen and Broyhill Furniture, making home furnishings a central business.
- 1966
Corporate name changes to Interco
[1]International Shoe Company adopts Interco Inc. as part of a broad diversification strategy.
Products and positioning
A multi-brand American home-furnishings group spanning accessible, mainstream, premium, luxury, decorative, and motion-furniture segments.
Residential furniture
Broyhill
Broyhill was one of Furniture Brands' principal mainstream residential-furniture businesses. Its portfolio covered broadly distributed home furnishings, including living-room, dining-room, bedroom, occasional, and upholstered products. During the company's later retail restructuring, Broyhill reduced company-operated stores in the St. Louis area and emphasized distribution through independent furniture retailers.
Residential furniture
Thomasville
Thomasville became a core Furniture Brands business after its 1995 acquisition from Armstrong World Industries. The brand served the established residential-furniture market with coordinated collections for rooms throughout the home. Thomasville participated in the company's company-owned retail strategy and later exhibited alongside other Furniture Brands labels at the Las Vegas Furniture Market.
Luxury furniture
Henredon
Henredon was a premium and luxury furniture brand acquired from Masco in the 2001 transaction. It formed part of the designer-oriented portfolio alongside Drexel Heritage and Maitland-Smith. Furniture Brands consolidated some Henredon manufacturing and administration with other High Point operations during its later efficiency program.
Premium furniture
Drexel Heritage
Drexel Heritage was a premium furniture brand acquired with Henredon and Maitland-Smith. It operated in design-led residential furnishings and was included in Furniture Brands' company-owned retail and trade-market initiatives. Its High Point operations were consolidated with related businesses during the 2000s.
Decorative and premium furniture
Maitland-Smith
Maitland-Smith occupied the decorative and premium end of the Furniture Brands portfolio. It was acquired from Masco in 2001 and grouped with the company's designer brands. The line complemented the more broadly distributed Broyhill, Lane, and Thomasville businesses with higher-end case goods, accents, and furnishings.
Premium furniture
Hickory Chair
Hickory Chair was part of Furniture Brands' designer-oriented group. It contributed premium residential furniture to the portfolio and was positioned alongside Henredon, Laneventure, Maitland-Smith, and Pearson. The supplied material does not establish a separate launch date or its exact post-2013 ownership.
Residential and upholstered furniture
Lane and Laneventure
Lane entered the group through Interco's 1987 acquisition of Lane Company and became an important home-furnishings business. Lane focused on residential furniture, including motion and upholstered categories, while Laneventure was included in the designer-brands group. The company later reduced Lane's company-owned retail footprint and relied more heavily on independent dealers.
Office furniture
Hickory Business Furniture
Hickory Business Furniture represented Furniture Brands' office-furniture activity. The business was sold to HNI Corporation in 2008 as Furniture Brands narrowed its strategic focus toward residential homes rather than commercial and business furnishings.
Brand decisions
2013
File for Chapter 11 and sell most divisionsOtherBackground
A difficult furniture market and the company's financial pressures led Furniture Brands to seek bankruptcy protection.
Action taken
Furniture Brands International filed for Chapter 11 and announced plans to sell most of its operating divisions.
Aftermath
KPS Capital Partners acquired major assets and announced Heritage Home Group as the successor platform, ending Furniture Brands' role as the continuing owner of the portfolio.
2008
Sell Hickory Business FurnitureM&ABackground
Furniture Brands intended to concentrate on residential home furnishings rather than business and office furniture.
Action taken
The company sold Hickory Business Furniture to HNI Corporation.
Aftermath
The divestiture narrowed the portfolio and supported a residential-focused strategy.
Sale price. $75 million (2008)
2001
Acquire Henredon, Drexel Heritage, and Maitland-SmithM&ABackground
Furniture Brands sought to strengthen its premium and designer-furniture position after La-Z-Boy's acquisition of LADD had changed the competitive landscape.
Action taken
The company agreed to buy the three Masco businesses for $275 million and later organized them under HDM Furniture Industries.
Aftermath
The transaction expanded Furniture Brands' premium portfolio and supported its claim to a leading position in United States furniture manufacturing.
Acquisition price. $275 million (2001)
1996
Rebrand Interco as Furniture Brands InternationalStrategyBackground
After selling its principal shoe businesses and concentrating on home furnishings, the company needed a corporate identity aligned with its furniture portfolio.
Action taken
Interco changed its name to Furniture Brands International on March 1, 1996.
Aftermath
The new name formalized the company's transition from a diversified footwear conglomerate to a furniture-focused group.
Sources1 sources
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