Bedford-based Sam Moore Furniture sold

By Ron Brown
Bedford-based Sam Moore Furniture has been

sold to Hooker Furniture Corp., company officials announced Tuesday.
La-Z-Boy Inc. has owned Sam Moore, which manufactures upscale chairs, since 1998.
“Sam Moore is a strong company with a good name, a great work force and management team,” Paul B. Toms, Hooker’s president, chief executive officer and chairman said in a news release.
The purchase will be a cash acquisition and will include Sam Moore’s 325,000-square-foot manufacturing facility and corporate offices in Bedford.
According to the Chamber of Commerce’s Web site, Sam Moore employs 379 workers, making it one of the largest industries in the Bedford area.
Hooker Furniture is ranked among the nation’s top 10 largest publicly traded furniture manufacturers.
The 82-year-old company is an importer and manufacturer of residential wood, metal and upholstered furniture.
Under the terms of the sale, Sam Moore President Mike Moldenhauer will continue with the company, the news release said.