A FURNITURE manufacturer has been snapped up by a billion dollar American corporation.

Centurion Furniture has been acquired by La-Z-Boy Inc in a £4 million deal.

It is expected to see the 200 Leyland workforce double in the next five years.

The Lancashire firm is Europe's largest manufacturer of leather Chesterfield suites and has made the La-Z-Boy range of reclining chairs under licence since 1992.

Said Charles Knabusch, chairman and president of the American firm: "Centurion has a strong reputation as a manufacturer of high-quality products and has already established La-Z-Boy as a leading brand in the UK.

"We are extremely pleased to have them as a part of the La-Z-Boy family and anticipate a mutually beneficial and long-lasting relationship."

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