Furniture-Today back issues from January 2007:
Living Richly going indoors with imported line.(Living Richly International)
Jan 01, 2007; ... By Thomas Russell New York- Outdoor furniture importer Living Richly International plans to develop a medium-priced indoor line of furniture expected to debut sometime in 2007. The company said it will source bedroom, dining room, occasional and youth furniture from ...
Universal/Legacy parent appoints Mihalik, Word.(Samson Marketing Communications Inc.)(Richard Mihalik and Jerry Word)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Staff High Point- Samson Marketing has named Richard Mihalik vice president of operations and Jerry Word vice president of information technology. Both are new posts at Samson, the holding company that oversees importers Universal and Legacy Classic. ...
Friitala/Branaa's tannery operations renamed Zenda.(Branaa)(Zenda)
Jan 01, 2007; ... By Joan Gunin Connelly Springs, N.C.- Branaa, the South American leather tannery that has traded in the United States under the Friitala/Branaa brand, has changed its name worldwide to Zenda. The Branaa family's 63-year-old tannery based in Montevideo, Uruguay, ...
Time's Person of Year also is your customer.
Jan 01, 2007; ... Brian Carroll, E-business Editor Time magazine's "Person of the Year" issue last month celebrated the World Wide Web as a tool for "bringing together the small contributions of millions of people and making them matter." The cover had a mirror where, in years past, the person of ...
Hello, Hollywood.(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007; ... By Gary Evans Retail icon pursues show biz career Avon, Mass.- Barry Tatelman, who has become a cultural icon in New England for the quirky advertising he and his brother, Eliot, do for Jordan's Furniture, is leaving to pursue a show business career in Hollywood. ...
Four buy BDO office.(BDO Seidman's office)(Smith Leonard PLLC)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Staff High Point- Four senior managers of accounting firm BDO Seidman's office here, which has a number of furniture and textile industry clients, have acquired the practice. The new firm, called Smith Leonard PLLC, is owned by Ken Smith, Darlene Leonard, Jon Glazman ...
Consumer confidence rises.(Brief article)(Statistical data)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Staff New York- Consumer confidence improved a bit in December, ticking up to 109 from 105.3 in November, according to The Conference Board. The Present Situation Index increased to 129.9 from 125.4, while the Expectations Index improved to 95.1 from 91.9 last month. ...
Boosting bedding in '07.(Conference notes)
Jan 01, 2007; ... By David Perry Top execs have ideas to jump-start sales Naples, Fla.- Bedding executives attending Furniture/ Today's Leadership Conference here last month offered a variety of strategies for jump-starting business this year. The bedding industry has a ...
Bed maker offers choices galore.(Brass Beds of Virginia)(Company overview)
Jan 01, 2007; ... By Thomas Russell Richmond, Va.- Like other U.S. metal bed manufacturers, Brass Beds of Virginia stays competitive by emphasizing variety and customization. The 32-year-old company has some 60 models ranging from antique reproduction brass beds to transitional styles ....
Contemporary retailers hash out issues.
Jan 01, 2007; ... By Jeff Linville San Diego- Members of a group of contemporary home furnishings retailers shop at High Point, Las Vegas and foreign furniture markets, but some wish there were fewer shows to choose from. Ideally, a retailer would make one trip to High Point and one to ...
CDG retailers want price protection, fewer intros.(Contemporary Design Group)(furniture retailers demand fewer product introductions so as to analyse the product sales)
Jan 01, 2007; ... By Jeff Linville San Diego- Retailers in the Contemporary Design Group want price protection on products, better sales tools and a little more time to see if introductions are going to sell. Those were some of the concerns group members raised in speaking to ...
Martin: Attitude plus behavior brings results.(business consultant from Hawaii)
Jan 01, 2007; ... By Jeff Linville San Diego- Ron Martin has penned four books with the word "easy" in the title, so it wasn't difficult for him to come up with some advice on running a retail operation. Martin, a business consultant from Hawaii, told 23 retailers and 50 invited ...
Do customers want to know about coil counts and constructions?
Jan 01, 2007; ... David Perry, Bedding Editor Today's topic: What should you say about coil counts? Overview: Innerspring bedding is still the most common type of bedding on the market today, despite the impressive gains made by specialty sleep products. And innerspring beds can be ...
Highlights from past installments.
Jan 01, 2007; ... David Perry With each installment of Mattress Retailing 101, we are expanding our library of resources for retail bedding sales associates. Here's an overview of the sales training features available to readers online at www.beddingtoday.com : What if the ...
Rule of Threes holds true, but will cycle be broken?(departure of bedding industry presidents)(Editorial)
Jan 01, 2007; ... David Perry, Executive Editor The presidents of two Top 15 bedding producers were talking the other day, wondering which one of them might be getting the ax. Someone had to go. Who would it be? Well, it turned out to be someone else. Those two presidents are still in their ...
Five promoted at Signature; importer aims to double sales.(promotions of Marco Lin, Keng Chen, Albert Lin, Raymond Carringer and Gene Head)
Jan 01, 2007; ... By Thomas Russell Cerritos, Calif.- Case goods importer Signature Home Furnishings here has promoted five key executives as part of a strategy to double the company's business in the next three years. Company owner Marco Lin, who has 30 years of import experience, has ...
Online site offers easy access to trade show contacts, news.
Jan 01, 2007 ... Staff High Point- FurnitureToday.com has launched an updated version of its online trade show calendar, offering a comprehensive and easy way to find information about upcoming industry events. The site contains listings for markets and trade shows in a variety of ...
The raw power of want vs. need.(excellent market strategy of turning wants into needs)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Ray Allegrezza Want to be convinced of the raw power of want versus need? Try to buy a Playstation 3. Go ahead, I dare you. The latest game system from Sony is supposed to be selling anywhere from $400 to $500, but good luck trying to find one. Sony, which ...
Four U.S. sources showing at Cologne fair.(IMM Cologne furniture fair)(United States)(Ashley Furniture)(Blue City Furniture)(Sitcom Furniture )(Stanley Furniture Company )(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Carole Sloan Cologne, Germany- Four American furniture suppliers - Ashley Furniture, Blue City Furniture, Sitcom and Stanley Furniture - are scheduled to show at the IMM Cologne furniture fair here, Jan. 15 to 21. Cologne has shifted the locations of product ...
Heimtextil trend display highlights color, cubism.(Heimtextil - International Trade Fair for Home and Household Articles)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Carole Sloan Frankfurt, Germany- Four themes in decorative fabrics and home furnishings will be featured in the Trend Presentation, an annual highlight of the Heimtextil fabric show here, Jan. 10-13. Showcasing the work of Gunnar Frank of The Netherlands, the ...
Lifestyle California purchases N.J. facility.(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Staff Edison, N.J.- Case goods resource Lifestyle California has purchased a larger East Coast warehouse in South Brunswick, N.J. "The new facility is over 30% larger than our current space in Edison, and is located on 15-plus acres," said President Thomas Wu. "As ...
Oakwood Furniture ceases operations.(Oakwood Furniture Manufacturing Inc. closes its employee factory )(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Staff New Tazewell, Tenn.- After a quarter century run, case goods manufacturer Oakwood Furniture Mfg. is winding up its business operations this week. The company closed its 82,000-square foot, 56-employee factory here in March. The business remained open for the ...
Schnadig appoints Katz EVP of sales.(Jeff Katz appointed)(executive vice president)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Staff Des Plaines, Ill.- Jeff Katz has been named to the new position of executive vice president of sales and merchandising for upholstery maker and case goods importer Schnadig. He will oversee all of Schnadig's merchandising and marketing efforts as well as the ...
Home Line Furniture holding 2 Jan. shows.(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Staff Philadelphia- Home Line Furniture, an importer and distributor, plans to stage its annual Mid-Atlantic furniture show Jan. 7 and 8 at its corporate office here to introduce more than 100 new products. The show, which has been going on for more than 30 years, ...
Rathi Family Holdings promotes 3 executives.(promotions of Radhe Rathi, Monty Rathi and Joe Barkley)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Lissa Wyman Dalton, Ga.- Radhe Rathi, president and CEO of rug manufacturer and importer Kaleen, has been promoted to president and CEO of Rathi Family Holdings, the Indian-based parent company. In related moves, Monty Rathi has been promoted to chief operating ...
Calgary market will stress industry networking.
Jan 01, 2007 ... By Michael J. Knell Calgary, Alberta- Furniture West will once again hold a market here this year, albeit in a very unusual format. Called Connections West 2007, the event won't focus on selling product but instead will emphasize strengthening ties between retailers, ...
Fabric converter Diversitex acquires Kingsway.(Kingsway Fabrics)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Staff Fairfield, N.J.- Fabric converter Diversitex here said it has acquired Toronto-based Kingsway Fabrics. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The merger creates a full-service converter providing prints and solids, according to Bill Summers, president ...
Art & Frame Direct building new High Point showroom.(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Staff High Point- Art & Frame Direct, a marketer of antique reproductions and decorative accessories, has begun construction of a new showroom here on the former Casa Bique property at North Hamilton Street and Kivett Drive. The new facility, which should be ...
AmericasMart seeks rug entries.
Jan 01, 2007 ... Staff Atlanta- AmericasMart Atlanta is seeking entries for America's Magnificent Carpets Awards, the industry's highest honor for rug introductions. The awards will be presented Saturday, Jan. 21 at 5:30 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom of the Marriott Marquis during the ...
JCPenney fires COO West after five months.(JCPenney Company Inc.)(Catherine West )(chief operating officer)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Staff Plano, Texas- Department store retailer JCPenney said last week it had fired Catherine West as executive vice president and chief operating officer, effective immediately. The company did not ...
Bassett to restate earnings.(Bassett Furniture Industries Inc.)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Staff Charges related to 3 acquisitions to be revised Bassett, Va.- Bassett Furniture Inds. said Monday it will restate its earnings for the fiscal year ended in November 2005 and also for periods it has already reported for 2006. The company said the ...
Rowe auction set for Jan. 11.(Rowe Cos bankruptcy reorganization schedule)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Staff McLean, Va.- A new bankruptcy court filing requests a Jan. 11 auction date for upholstery manufacturer Rowe, a week earlier than previously scheduled. In a filing last week with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Alexandria, Va., which is handling Rowe's Chapter 11 ...
Creditors approve Sklar restructuring plan.(Sklar-Peppler Furniture Corp.)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007; ... By Michael J. Knell Ajax, Ontario- Upholstery and case goods source Sklar Peppler Furniture Corp. is back on its feet and ready for business after more than 90% of its creditors voted in favor of its proposal under the Bankruptcy & Insolvency Act last month. "The ...
Martin retiring from ISPA.(Pat Martin to retire from International Sleep Products Association)
Jan 01, 2007; ... By David Perry Alexandria, Va.- As she looks back on a career of almost three decades in the bedding industry, Pat Martin says she's proud to have worked with an industry that took a proactive position on public safety issues. Her work, said her colleagues at the ...
Shaak joins Linwood in dual role.(Bob Shaak appointed at Linwood Furniture as chief operating officer and vice president )(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007; ... By Jeff Linville Linwood, N.C.- Industry veteran Bob Shaak has come out of retirement to join fledgling manufacturer Linwood Furniture here in the new post of chief operating officer and vice president of sales and marketing. Shaak, who held posts at Hickory White, ...
Rogers is Sears Canada's permanent CEO.(Dene Rogers appointed)(chief executive officer)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Staff Ottawa- Sears Canada has named Dene Rogers, its acting president since May, as president and CEO. Before joining Sears Canada, Rogers was executive vice president, restructuring and business improvement, for the retailer's U.S.-based majority owner, Sears ...
Lazar appoints Sowinski president, CEO.(David Sowinski appointed at Lazar Industries)(chief executive officer)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Staff Los Angeles- David Sowinski has been named president and CEO of contemporary upholstery maker Lazar Inds., succeeding Barry Lazar, founder of the company. Lazar is retiring but remains an investor and a member of the board of directors, and also will be ...
Cooper joins Feinblum in West Coast post.(Julius M. Feinblum Real Estate)(Mark Cooper)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Staff Plainview, N.Y.- Industry veteran Mark Cooper has joined Julius M. Feinblum Real Estate as director of vertical store programs, working on the West Coast and overseeing the company's marketing efforts in Arizona. With more than 30 years of industry experience, ...
Gingrich replaces Giles at Powell.(David Giles to retire and David Gingrich appointment)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Staff Culver City, Calif.- Powell Co. has named David Gingrich, a veteran of over 25 years in the home decor and accent furniture industry, vice president of sales for its mass merchants channel. Before joining the importer, he was president of Sycamore Art Works and ...
Meadows leaves Shaw Living.(Jeff Meadows quits)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Staff Dalton, Ga.- Jeff Meadows, vice president of Shaw Living, has left the rug resource. The company said Jeff Brown, director of operations, has assumed his duties on an interim basis. Meadows had been head of the rug division of Shaw Inds. since 2000. Under his ...
Bush to use WMC space for CES.(Bush Industries Inc. opens permanent showroom at World Market Center)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Larry Thomas Las Vegas- Bush Inds., a longtime exhibitor at the annual Consumer Electronics Show here, will open its permanent World Market Center showroom during next week's CES show. The ready-to-assemble furniture maker will use its WMC showroom, space A-610, in ...
Fully upholstered beds may escape duties.(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Staff High Point- The U.S. Department of Commerce may exclude fully upholstered beds from import duties collected on wood bedroom furniture made in China. The change would affect beds that are upholstered with genuine or synthetic leather or natural or synthetic ...
Bush to cut workers at Pa. plant.(Bush Industries Inc.)(pennsylvania)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Staff Jamestown, N.Y.- Bush Inds., a major ready-to-assemble furniture resource, will eliminate about one-third of the workforce at its Erie, Pa., factory as the company consolidates some operations into its Jamestown factory. The consolidation, which will begin in ...
Box Furniture is first tenant in renovated High Point mill.(Box Furniture)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Staff High Point- Box Furniture, an importer of case goods and wall decor, has signed a lease for the first permanent showroom in the Mill on Centennial, a historic downtown structure here that recently was renovated The 2,000-square-foot space also is Box ...
Ron Valach, sales rep for CT Nassau.(CT Nassau Tape and Ticking)(Obituary)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Staff Colleyville, Texas- Ron Valach, a longtime sales representative for CT Nassau Tape and Ticking, has died. He was 62. Born in Chicago, Valach had worked in Texas for the past 28 years for bedding supply companies, including ...
Catello, Gonzales join Surya Rugs.(appointment of Joan Catello and Jeff Gonzalez)(Brief article)
Jan 08, 2007 ... Staff Calhoun, Ga.- Surya Rugs has named Joan Catello vice president of national accounts and Jeff Gonzalez national sales vice president. Both are new positions. Catello will be responsible for the development of the rug maker and importer's national accounts ...
McNeilly Champion promotes Jackson.(Joel Jackson)(Brief article)
Jan 08, 2007 ... Staff Lawndale, N.C.- Joel Jackson has been promoted to national sales manager at custom leather upholstery specialist McNeilly Champion. Jackson, with a background in both ...
Exact taps Cochran as VP of sales.(Exact Commerce USA)(Jonathan B. Cochran)(Brief article)
Jan 08, 2007 ... Staff Collierville, Tenn.- Manufacturer and distributor Exact Commerce USA has promoted Jonathan B. Cochran to vice president of sales and marketing, a new post, from national sales manager. He reports to J. Terry Cochran, CEO of the company, whose products include ...
Correction.(Correction notice)
Jan 08, 2007 ... Staff Jerry Epperson's column on page 37 of the Dec. 18 issue mentioned a failed retailer called Door Store. He was referring to ...
2007 forecast: Furniture sales gains will slow.(industry sales and revenue)
Jan 08, 2007 ... By Jay McIntosh High Point- Slumping housing sales and a slower U.S. economy will put the brakes on furniture sales growth this year after a surprisingly robust 2006, according to Furniture/Today's consensus industry forecast. U.S. consumer spending on furniture and ...
Stickley eyes more company-, dealer-owned stores.(Stickley Furniture)
Jan 08, 2007; ... By Thomas Russell Manlius, N.Y.- High-end manufacturer Stickley Furniture is looking to expand its retail network with a mix of new company-owned and dedicated stores. Stickley now has 14 company-owned stores ranging from 6,000 to 78,000 square feet in New York and ...
Stout, Musick win environment award.(David Stout)(Donna Musick)(Brief article)
Jan 08, 2007 ... Staff High Point- Executives at Broyhill and Hickory Chair were named co-winners of the Larry Runyan Environmental Leadership Award, which is presented annually by the American Home Furnishings Alliance. Winning the 2006 award were David Stout, corporate environmental ...
Craftex Mills unveils luxury leather division.(Brief article)
Jan 08, 2007 ... Staff High Point- Fabric source Craftex Mills unveiled at last month's Showtime fabric show here a new division of luxury leather source Townsend Leather. Called Townsend Home, the division offers leathers designed to coordinate with Craftex fabrics. Townsend Home ...
China show attendance jumps 47%.
Jan 08, 2007 ... Staff Shanghai, China- The China International Furniture Expo in September had a 47% increase in international visitors, by far its largest growth spurt in at least the past three years. Show organizers reported that Furniture China 2006 drew 12,241 international ...
FIT to honor several execs at April breakfast.
Jan 08, 2007 ... Staff New York- The Fashion Institute of Technology will hold its Home Products Development Breakfast here on April 23, bestowing several awards. Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams, co-founders of upholstery producer and furniture importer Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams ...
Afghan rug exhibition on tap for Atlanta.
Jan 08, 2007 ... By Lissa Wyman Atlanta- A special exhibition, Afghan Impressions: Area Rug Artistry & Inspiration, is on tap for the upcoming International Rug Market/National Oriental Rug Show at AmericasMart Atlanta, Jan. 18-21. The exhibit, a celebration of Afghanistan's resurgent ...
AminCo, Ves-Levi move to larger space.(relocation)(Brief article)
Jan 08, 2007 ... Staff Atlanta- AminCo and Ves-Levi have relocated to a larger space of almost 3,500 square feet on the sixth floor of AmericasMart's Area Rug Center here. The space number is 6D1. "Our relocation and expansion is reflective of our collective need for more ...
Delos readies made-to-order hand-tufted line.(Delos Rugs )(Brief article)
Jan 08, 2007 ... Staff Atlanta- Delos Rugs will introduce a made-to-order hand-tufted program this month at the Atlanta International Rug Market. The company, which will be in a larger AmericasMart showroom of 2,400 square feet in space 6F9, said it also will have three new ...
Rizzy Rugs, HomeTex lease Georgia warehouse.(Rizzy Rugs)(Brief article)
Jan 08, 2007 ... Staff Calhoun, Ga.- Rizzy Rugs is expanding its U.S. presence with a leased warehouse here. CEO Rizwan Ansari said the warehouse will help the company service existing container customers and attract new ones. Rizzy will be showing new collections at the ...
Kane Carpet returning to Atlanta for Jan. rug show.(Kane Carpet)(Brief article)
Jan 08, 2007 ... Staff Atlanta- Kane Carpet will open a 1,550-square-foot AmericasMart showroom, space 6C3, for the Atlanta International Area Rug Market, Jan. 18-21. "We exhibited in Atlanta four years ago and left. It was a mistake," said President Herb Frank. "Atlanta has the key ...
Canadian factories ready to fight back.
Jan 08, 2007; ... By Michael J. Knell Toronto- Canadian furniture manufacturers took several body blows and a few left hooks to the jaw in 2006, losing sales not just in their home ring but on the road as well. As they enter the ring known as the Canadian Home Furnishings Market here, ...
Lots of new product on tap.(exhibition)
Jan 08, 2007; ... By Michael J. Knell Mississauga, Ontario- The 35th annual Canadian Home Furnishings Market, this country's only national industry event, comes at a time when many Canadian furniture manufacturers remain under siege. That's largely due to unfavorable exchange rates and ...
A hipper G. Romano celebrating 45 years during CHFM.(Romano, Gino)
Jan 08, 2007; ... By Michael J. Knell Toronto- Contemporary upholstery specialist G. Romano is celebrating 45 years in business at the January market here with what Rick Lovegrove describes as a hip, fashionable line scaled for urban living. "In 1994, we made a conscious effort to ...
Growth likely to slow for Canadian stores.(sales and revenue )
Jan 08, 2007 ... By Michael J. Knell Ottawa- Canadian furniture stores saw brisk growth in 2006 and most observers agree growth will continue this year, albeit at a more modest pace. That should soothe anxious exhibitors awaiting buyers at this weekend's Canadian Home Furnishings ...
Broyhill debuts 3 galleries.(Brief article)
Jan 08, 2007 ... Staff Lenoir, N.C.- Full-line furniture manufacturer and importer Broyhill , based here, has opened galleries in stores in British Columbia, Alabama and Florida Bridge Interiors in Cranbrook, British Columbia, installed a 5,000-square-foot Broyhill gallery in its ...