— Furniture Today,
LENOIR — Furniture Brands International is celebrating the life and achievements of Paul Broyhill with an appreciation event Monday at one of the Broyhill factories here.

Paul, 82, is the son of James Broyhill, who founded the company in 1912.


Paul Broyhill, a member of the American Furniture Hall of Fame, was in charge of the company when he pushed to sell Broyhill to Interco, the predecessor of Furniture Brands, in 1980. He said afterward that his father had eight brothers and sisters, four children, 18 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren, which led to too many family shareholders.

In the past few years, Broyhill has been retired and not involved in the company bearing his name.

Broyhill Furniture Inds. will welcome him at the plant at One Broyhill Park at 10:45 a.m. Monday. Rolling out the red carpet, the company will greet him with music, presentations, speeches and an employee luncheon. Some longtime employees will bring memorabilia to the event.