Furniture buyers took a shine to Ashley Furniture Industries when it added a tough, high-gloss polyester finish to its furniture in 1986. The company is one of the nation\'s largest furniture manufacturers. Ashley Furniture makes and imports upholstered, leather, and hardwood furniture, as well as bedding. It has manufacturing plants and distribution centers spread throughout the country and overseas. It runs more than 90 Ashley Furniture HomeStores -- independently owned shops that sell only Ashley Furniture products. The firm was founded by Carlyle Weinberger in 1945. Father-and-son duos Ron and Todd Wanek and Chuck and Ben Vogel own Ashley Furniture.