Consumer >> CEO Interviews >> April 1, 2003
W.G. 'Mickey' Holliman Jr., Chairman of the Board, President and
CEO of Furniture Brands International, Inc., received a
Bachelor's degree in Industrial Management from Mississippi State
University in 1960. Upon graduation from MSU, he joined the
Futorian Corporation, a furniture manufacturer, as an Industrial
Engineer and ultimately managed the company's major Stratolounger
division. In 1970, Mr. Holliman and Alvin E. Bland founded Action
Industries, a company that specialized in the manufacture of
upholstered reclining chairs and that subsequently expanded its
product line to include a complete line of motion furniture,
sleep sofas and recliners. Action's sales volume now exceeds $600
million annually, reflecting a compounded growth rate over its
history of some 20% per year. Known today as Lane Furniture
Industries, this company holds the largest industry market share
in motion furniture, is second in share in the reclining chair
market and is a major player in the categories of leather
stationary and imported case goods. He served as President and
Chief Executive Officer of Action Industries until October 1996,
when he was elected President and Chief Executive Officer of
Furniture Brands International, the parent company of Broyhill,
Thomasville and Lane. Named a company Director at the time of his
promotion, he was elected Chairman of the Board in May 1998. In
2001, he led the corporation in a successful effort to acquire
Henredon, Drexel Heritage and Maitland-Smith, all makers of fine
home furnishings and accessories and, more important, all well-
known brands among consumers. Today, Furniture Brands
International, headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, is the
largest manufacturer of residential furniture in the world. Profile
Brands International and an overview of things as they are now?
Mr. Holliman: The company was founded in 1911 as
