Marshall Furniture is celebrating its anniversary and marketing 40 years in 2026, marking four decades of growth as a prominent manufacturer of commercial AV furniture. The company is based in Antioch, Ill.
How Was Marshall Founded?
Marshall Furniture, now 40 years old, was founded in 1986 out of a small shop using a table saw and pin head router. Its first products were wooden rolling carts built for corporate boardrooms. That same year, the company issued its first brochure to promote the line.
Growth continued through the 1990s. In 1993, Marshall relocated to Grayslake, Ill., introduced its first custom lectern and began exhibiting at InfoComm, showing its fine wood furniture in a 10-by-10 booth. The company launched its website in 1997 and expanded its CAD capabilities in the late 1990s to offer complimentary 2D and 3D line drawings to customers.
The 2000s brought significant facility and operational investment. In 2001, Marshall moved into a 32,000-square-foot facility and joined the Architectural Woodwork Institute, adopting the organization’s standards for design and build quality. CNC automated machinery was installed in 2003 to support precision and efficiency on large-volume orders. A melamine division was established in 2006, and the Quick Ship line was formally launched in 2007 with a 30-day lead time.
Product and capability expansion defined the 2010s for Marshall Furniture and its team. In 2011, Marshall began building courtroom technology furniture, adding a specialized category to its commercial lineup. In 2012, the company partnered with the Forest Stewardship Council to offer sustainably sourced materials and introduced an ADA-compliant, height-adjustable workstation with AV functionality. A metal fabrication department was added in 2019, allowing Marshall to produce parts in-house for more complex builds.
Then, in 2023, Marshall introduced MFLEX, a semi-custom product line developed in response to demand for simpler customization during a volatile pricing environment. The line offers integrators a broad range of finish choices at a more accessible price point.
What Does the Marshall Furniture Catalog Cover 40 Years In?
Now 40 years into the company’s run, the Marshall Furniture catalog covers custom lecterns, workstations, courtroom technology furniture and AV-integrated solutions for a range of commercial environments. The company has exhibited at InfoComm and other AV and technology trade shows throughout its history, building relationships across the integration channel.
Trace the entire Marshall Furniture story across 40 years by reading the company’s online timeline.
