Our Story

At the Chicago World's Fair in 1892, the Gold Medal brand was honored as a recipient of Excellence in Casual Furniture Design. That moment marked the genesis of the Gold Medal Director's Chair as we know it today. Since those initial accolades, the Gold Medal Director’s Chair has been the axis of style and quality upon which the industry has turned.

Today, we are still a small, family-owned, American-based company – and we like it that way. We know our employees and their families on a personal level. We have a rapport with the customers and clients we serve and a comprehensive understanding of their businesses and endeavors.

Through the years, many other companies have tried to emulate the design of the Gold Medal Director’s Chair. And honestly, who can blame them? With unparalleled comfort, endless versatility, timeless style, and American craftsmanship, our products are still the envy of the industry. Imitation, as they say, is the sincerest form of flattery.

Gold Medal is a division of The Lord's Table, Inc., owned by Gary and Bill Shaffield. Second generation woodworkers, the Shaffields started a woodworking business from their parents' basement while still in high school, performing contract wood finishing. As the business outgrew its humble beginnings, they began contract manufacturing director's chairs. As God continued to bless their business with growth, Shaffield Industries' focus shifted to futons. Together they built the From The Source brand into the largest in the futon industry when they sold it in 1994. Coming back to their roots, Gary and Bill started The Lord's Table, Inc. and purchased the assets of the Gold Medal Director's Chair operation. Over the past 20 years (and counting) they have been dedicated to building Gold Medal into the quintessential brand it is today.

Current product lines from The Lord's Table and Gold Medal include director's chairs, commercial grade seating, restaurant bar stools, athletic seating, restaurant table tops, and many more custom products. Our chairs are seen in retail stores, schools, restaurants, sidelines, and locker rooms around the world. We welcome your suggestions regarding new products. With in-house woodworking, finishing, sewing, customization, and upholstery departments, we have the capability to produce almost any seating product you desire. Our consumer products can be purchased through a network of distributors, while our commercial seating options can be purchased directly from us.