About Us

A note from Lyons Co Founder Dick Lyons:

I got into the contract furniture industry at age 35 after a successful career in engineering and metal fabrication manufacturing

My first furniture industry job was in 1973 with Fixtures Furniture in Kansas City, our hometown. For you youngsters, (to me that’s anyone under 65), Fixtures was a pioneer in contemporary metal seating in the 70’s. During my four years with Fixtures, I learned a lot about product, sales, and marketing. Back then the industry was still in its infancy.

After those learning years, I had the opportunity to move to the Chicago area in 1976, as the National Director of Sales and Marketing for Howell Company. Howell, like Fixtures, was a metal manufacturer but was much larger and with a broader offering of both seating and lounge furniture. Howell was vertically integrated, rolling our own metal gave me a greater understanding of metal manufacturing.

 

Then in 1980 fate struck and I was offered the Presidency of Hesco Industries in Southern Indiana. Hesco was an upper middle level wood manufacturer with a limited offering of casegoods and filing. Those early years were not only an aggressive program of new products, but moving more into custom which became about a third of our growing sales. We grew and we made money. What more can you ask for?

Perhaps my success at Hesco resulted in being offered the position as President of Lehigh Leopold in 1987. Unlike Hesco, Lehigh had been in decline for several years. I knew that when I decided to go for it. I knew what I had to do, and I set about doing it. I was making good progress when in 1990 Lehigh came under new ownership and new management at LOPC, the conglomerate that owned Lehigh and the man that hired me was fired. Lehigh was merged into the larger Cole Business Company. The President of Cole, with a company sales organization was the successor, President.

By this time, we had raised 5 of our 6 kids, who we moved around the country, and they never complained, just cried. As you can guess, when they finished college, no one was afraid to move all over to begin their new life.

 

So, back to Kansas City and founded Lyons Company in 1990.

1990, 34 years ago, Lyons Company was born. It was modest and it was tough in the beginning and initially included some consulting work, one of which was R Way furniture in Wisconsin. A tough choice had to be made to either liquidation or to investment millions. After 9 months, the decision was made to liquidate

All the while Lyons Company was growing and finally got to where I wanted it to be. My goal had been to have a rep living in each of the major cities of our minor BIFMA market. We got there and are still there today. My motto has always been we spend our time selling and not driving.




This would not be complete without a word about Michelle Acamovich. Michelle came into my life as the Iowa rep 18 years ago and has always been like a 4th daughter to me. I recognized early on that she was more than a good rep; she was a good person and businessperson. So, in 2016 when I began thinking about beaches and pina coladas, I asked her to be President of Lyons Company. Since 2019 each year she has acquired 10% of Lyons company until this year we became partners, and I am selling her my remaining 50% to make her the owner.

For our manufacturers this has always been our plan. We wanted this to be as seamless and harmonious as it is possible for a business transaction like this to be.... and it has, don’t you agree? Everyone is a winner including the great independent contractors we have representing you very well everyday

After 51 years in our industry alone I think it is time to bid you all farewell and to say

God Bless You

I wish you all health, happiness, and prosperity

Dick Lyons