‘Built to Last’ documentary highlights beginnings of North Carolina’s furniture industry
HICKORY, N.C. — There is no shortage of news about challenges currently facing the furniture industry in 2026, but one recently released documentary is a timely reminder of the furniture community’s capacity to not only survive, but thrive.
Built to Last is a documentary sponsored by the family of Lynn and Leroy Lail, founders of the Hickory Furniture Mart, for the Hickory Metro Convention Center & Visitors Bureau. Produced by Rebecca Branson Jones and Jesse Barber, the 18-minute film highlights the early evolution of the furniture industry in western North Carolina, as well as some of the bumps along the road to profitability.
Alex Shuford III, CEO of Rock House Designer Brands, and Laura Holland, vice president of marketing at Hickory Chair, are featured in the documentary. Shuford, a third-generation leader at Century Furniture, spoke to Furniture Today about the importance of the film.
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“Our industry is such a treasure because it is one where competitors are often friends, where friends are often employees and where the histories of companies and individuals have been intertwined over the decades,” said Shuford. “If an industry has a soul, and I believe ours does, then that soul is nourished by the re-telling of its stories and the honoring of its heroes. We owe such a debt to individuals like the Lails who are investing in documenting our shared stories for current and future generations.”
The furniture industry has also been a lifelong career for Holland. Together with Shuford and a local historian, Holland provides insight about some of the challenges and opportunities that have occurred throughout Hickory Chair’s history.
“Generations of highly skilled craftspeople have practiced their vocation within our walls,” said Holland. “They have recruited friends and family to come join them at these wonderful furniture companies in our area.
“This camaraderie and respect for each other and their company results in expertly crafted upholstery and wood products that have been made to order for families all over the world. We believe that what we make brings joy and comfort. This is our pride and our joy.”
