arnold dwight england
Arnold Dwight England (b. 1929 d. 1995) founded England/Corsair Upholstery Manufacturing Company in 1964 to create an employment base in his hometown of Tazewell, Tennessee. During the first year, he, his father, and brother hired two people and ended that year with a net loss of $82. His son, Rodney, joined the company in 1968 and became president in 1984.
In 1984-1994 the company employed some 1,500 people, had an annual growth rate of 26.5%, and sales in 1995 of $110 million. Mr. England was instrumental in helping to establish northeast Tennessee as a furniture producing area, thereby reducing unemployment to a 4% rate from around 20%. In 1991, England, Inc. was the largest employer in the county, and still is, with approximately 1,000,000 square feet of manufacturing space.
Mr. England devised and implemented the "Quadrant Delivery Program" in 1983, which has had a major impact on the furniture industry. Customers are guaranteed delivery every four weeks and truckload delivery in two weeks. He received the International Home Furnishings Representatives Association's "Humanitarian Award" in 1969; was Polyurethane Foam Association's "Man of the Year" in 1989, and named "Outstanding Manufacturer of 1989" from Ohio Home Furnishings Representatives Association.
In 1992, the company was awarded East Tennessee's "Entrepreneurial Company of the Year." In 1995, England/Corsair was purchased by La-Z-Boy Chair Company.