Randy Hudson, director of research and development for La-Z-Boy, left, and R. Birch Arnold, president of RBA Construction, walk the site of La-Z-Boy's new research and test facility in Dayton, Tenn.Project: La-Z-Boy research and testing lab.
Location: 2100 block of Railroad Street, Dayton, Tenn.
Owner: RBA Construction, Inc., Dayton.
Size: 8,000 square feet.
Investment: Approximately $300,000.
Contractor: RBA Construction, Inc.
History: RBA Construction was formed by builder R. Birch Arnold in 2003. La-Z-Boy has been a key Rhea County employer since the Monroe, Mich.-based furniture builder opened its Dayton factory in 1973. La-Z-Boy operates a 1.2 million-square-foot factory, where recliners and sofas are manufactured.
Scope: La-Z-Boy's existing facility is operating at capacity. The testing and research lab is built on land leased from RBA Construction. Moving testing and research from Michigan to Dayton eliminated the 530-mile gap between researchers and builders. At the new lab, La-Z-Boy will run round-the-clock tests on furniture and prototype metal parts. The company will add 15 jobs to its 1,400-employee roster.
Schedule: RBA officials aim to have La-Z-Boy in its new facility by the end of April.
Compiled by staff writer Alex Green at agreen@timesfree press.com or 423-757-6480.