The Microwave is heating up the furniture business.

Former Detroit Pistons star Vinnie (Microwave) Johnson and Detroiter Mike Vaughn have purchased the Farmington Hills furniture dealer University Business Interiors for an undisclosed amount. The deal was closed Tuesday.

The company, founded in 1996, is a furniture and office interiors dealer that represents such makers as Holland-based Haworth and Superior Furniture, Hardwood Visuals and Nova. The company has supplied furniture to Compuware Corp and Delphi Corp. University Business Interiors also won a $3-million contract to supply and install some of the furniture at Detroit Metro Airport's new midfield passenger terminal.

Johnson will serve as University Business' chairman, while Vaughn has taken over as president and chief executive officer, replacing Joseph Lozowski, who founded the company. Lozowski will become a consultant and remain with the company.

Johnson, who could not be reached for comment Friday, is one of the latest athletes to buy a business.