Furniture-Today back issues from June 2007:
ICFF rugs: Different world, different attitude, ultra pricey.(International Contemporary Furniture Fair )
Jun 04, 2007 ... By Lissa Wyman New York- Rugs shown at the recent International Contemporary Furniture Fair here seem to come from a different planet than those shown at more mainstream markets in Atlanta, High Point and Las Vegas. It's not just a matter of high-end product versus ...
Coja exits High Point, sets road shows.(Brief article)
Jun 04, 2007; ... By Joan Gunin Concord, Ontario- Canadian leather upholstery manufacturer Coja is pulling out of the High Point Market after 20 years and will instead show its product on the road. The company's ground floor showroom in High Point's Hamilton Square, HS-111, will be ...
POP tools help stores stir upholstery sales.(point of purchase)
Jun 04, 2007; ... By Gary Evans High Point- From point-of-purchase materials to special displays, upholstered furniture manufacturers have initiated a variety of programs to help retailers with product sell-through. Particularly now, with business in the tank, stores are looking for ...
Finger Furniture's plans point to aggressive growth.
Jun 04, 2007; ... By Clint Engel Sugar Land, Texas- Retailer Finger Furniture took the occasion of its annual charity golf event to give the industry an early look at its new high-tech distribution center, and to update attendees on its unprecedented expansion plans. The Top 100 store ...
Englander taps Toman.(appointment of Kevin Toman)(Brief article)
Jun 04, 2007; ... By David Perry Plans include more brand visibility Billerica, Mass.- Kevin Toman, hired last week as president of Englander Sleep Products, says the group is aiming to expand its presence with major bedding retailers. Englander's licensees run "good local ...
Riverside names pres.(Riverside Furniture appoints Howard "Buddy" Spradlin as a president)(Brief article)
Jun 04, 2007 ... By Jeff Linville Fort Smith, Ark.- Case goods manufacturer and importer Riverside Furniture has promoted Scott Ostrander to president. Longtime leader Howard "Buddy" Spradlin, who had held the post, will remain CEO. The company also named Fred Henjes, a Riverside ...
Williams-Sonoma profit off.(Financial report)
Jun 04, 2007 ... By Larry Thomas San Francisco- Top 100 company Williams-Sonoma, whose retail brands include Pottery Barn, said sales in its first quarter were 2.7% above last year's comparable period, but net income dropped more than 21%. The company blamed the earnings decline on ...
Bombay fields sale offers.
Jun 04, 2007 ... By Larry Thomas Stock price surges on prospect of buyout Fort Worth, Texas- The Bombay Company said its financial adviser, William Blair & Co., had received several non-binding offers to purchase the troubled specialty retailer. Bombay officials stressed ...
Zia sells sleep, not just beds.
Jun 04, 2007 ... By David Perry Eden Prairie, Minn.- Merchandising menu for a different type of sleep shop: Sleepwear, low-key alarm clocks, tea, CDs of soothing music, sleep books and candles. Oh, and mattresses too. Veteran furniture retailer Jim Gabbert is exploring the softer side ...
Tannery Moore & Giles starts afresh.
Jun 04, 2007 ... By Joan Gunin Forest, Va.- Moore & Giles, a leather supplier established in nearby Lynchburg nearly 75 years ago, is diving headlong into the 21st century with a new president, a new accessories line and, soon, a roomier warehouse. "We see ourselves as a design ...
Green movement represents fabric opportunity.
Jun 04, 2007; ... Susan M. Andrews, Fabric Editor Green and sustainable product is the biggest issue at Showtime 2007 this week in High Point and I believe it's the best thing to happen to this market segment in a long time. It gives us a product with a benevolent environmental story that ...
Nature's bounty.(Buyers guide)(Brief article)
Jun 04, 2007 ... Staff Birds take wing amid lush foliage and blooms ITC A softly colored songbird perches among berries and blossoms on Flower Song, a multicolor print. Cotton and rayon, $14.95. REGAL FABRICS Rebecca Indigo is from a new group of ...
Dressed to sell.(Buyers guide)
Jun 04, 2007 ... Staff Fresh colors, motifs enliven traditional WEARBEST SIL-TEX MILLS Ascot is an uber-elegant diamond construction from the Modern Era collection. Silk and rayon, $26.75. WHITAKER Sundari Sky showcases stunning wide bands of various ...
A matter of balance.(Buyers guide)(Brief article)
Jun 04, 2007 ... Staff Geometric designs keep patterns in harmony CIRCA 1801 Solara features an elegant Art Deco theme in Egyptian mercerized cotton. Cotton, $12.50. DECOVIZ This classic plaid pattern in a deep furniture-friendly aubergine is woven ...
Skins are in.(Buyers guide)
Jun 04, 2007 ... Staff Animal prints, exotic leathers roar to life WIPELLI Zebra is a nubuck, pigmented and vacuum-dried whole hide with a hand-printed pattern equal to fabric for definition of detail and precision. Leather. CHARLES MARTEL Patterns ...
Calif. lawmakers vote down tougher formaldehyde limits.(Brief article)
Jun 04, 2007; ... Jeff Linville Sacramento, Calif.- California lawmakers have voted down a bill that could have further cracked down on formaldehyde emissions from engineered wood products. The California Air Resources Board, or CARB, voted April 26 to impose tighter rules on ...
SPSC to combine with ISPA.(Sleep Products Safety Council)(International Sleep Products Association)(Brief article)
Jun 04, 2007 ... David Perry Alexandria, Va.- The Sleep Products Safety Council, a non-profit organization established by the mattress industry in 1986, will combine its operations with the International Sleep Products Assn., according to ISPA officials. They said the move will bring ...
Nation, Eitel in top ISPA posts.(Jim Nation and Charlie Eitel appointed at International Sleep Products Association)(Brief article)
Jun 04, 2007 ... Staff Alexandria, Va.- Spring Air President Jim Nation has been elected chairman of the International Sleep Products Assn.'s board of directors, and Simmons Chairman Charlie Eitel has been elected vice chairman. Dick Doyle remains the trade association's president, ...
Good years the real anomaly?(services provided by furniture industry)
Jun 04, 2007; ... Ray Allegreczza, Editor in Chief I'm sure you've heard the one about the two furniture retailers who were discussing business over drinks. One, who is having a tough time, says to the other, "Man, business is terrible. The consumer simply isn't buying furniture." The ...
Strong marriages.(Buyers guide)
Jun 04, 2007 ... Staff New correlates prove two can be better than one DAVID ROTHSCHILD From the House of Rothschild collection comes Scarborough, a beautifully patina-colored, stylized, allover floral jacquard, and Casablanca, a classic ikat diamond in seabreeze. Cotton, ...
Flowering beauties.(Buyers guide)(Brief article)
Jun 04, 2007 ... Staff Organic shapes with a rich palette STROUP FABRIC SALES Madeline is a gloriously overscaled pansy from the Best of Bess collection. Cotton. SUNBURY TEXTILE MILLS A lovely textured organic chair-scale pattern, Caminetto is part ...
Showtime fabric introductions.
Jun 04, 2007 ... Staff Shuttles run between all venues and the buyer parking lot on Green Street between Elm Street and Lindsay Street. Key: MS = Market Square; MSTT = Market Square Textile Tower; SAMS = Suites at Market Square The following information, provided by the ...
Who will pay eco-friendly premium?(furnishings and furniture industry)(Brief article)
Jun 04, 2007; ... Carole Sloan, Senior Contributing Editor There's an apparent groundswell taking place in home furnishings and furniture. It's the whole eco movement, whether organic, friendly, sustainable or renewable. The buzz words are flying thick and fast. At the recent ...
Recalling 3 of the great, the quiet, the get-it-done heroes.
Jun 04, 2007; ... Jerry Epperson Please allow me to reflect on some of our industry's heroes that we've recently lost. Like most industries, we have some high-profile talking heads (like me!) but we're also blessed with some that are the good guys (and gals) that get things done, without a lot ...
Industry has mixed views on private equity players.(Sun Capital Partners experience in furniture industry)
Jun 04, 2007; ... David Perry, Executive Editor As one private equity company enters the bedding industry, another appears to be wrapping up its short and ill-fated venture into the world of mattresses. The role of private equity companies in the bedding industry is controversial. One ...
England opens N.C., Ind. galleries.(Brief article)
Jun 04, 2007 ... Staff New Tazewell, Tenn.- Custom upholstery manufacturer England has unveiled galleries in stores in North Carolina and Indiana. Ashby's Furniture in Raleigh, N.C., has dedicated 4,000 square feet of its 22,000-square-foot store to an England Custom Comfort Center ....
Zocalo installs two.(Brief article)
Jun 04, 2007 ... Staff San Francisco- Case goods and leather upholstery importer Zocalo has installed galleries in stores in Arkansas and California. Swank Furniture, owned by Wade Quinn III, in Jonesboro, Ark., has a 2,200-square-foot Zocalo Living gallery in its 7,750-square-foot ...
New FR standard creates opportunity to boost sales.(fire resistant)
Jun 04, 2007 ... David Perry, Bedding editor Anew standard on fire-resistant mattresses offers the bedding industry an opportunity to add peace of mind to its long-established marketing messages of sleep quality and comfort. And it also offers the industry an unprecedented chance to ...
Franklin workers get damages.
Jun 04, 2007 ... By Gary Evans Calhoun City, Miss.- A state court here has awarded $3.8 million in damages to four workers at Franklin Corp.'s upholstery plant who claimed they were exposed to dangerous levels of a toxic chemical while working on a glue line. The jury in the case ...
Joan auction set for June 26.(Joan Fabrics Corp.)(Brief article)
Jun 04, 2007; ... By Susan M. Andrews Wilmington, Del.- The assets of bankrupt former fabric powerhouse Joan Fabrics are scheduled to be sold at auction June 26, according to an order filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court here. Rick Mikels, an attorney for Joan, said, "We've had a number of ...
High Point has dates thru 2015.
Jun 04, 2007 ... Staff High Point- The High Point Market Authority has released dates through 2015 that will put the market back on an April and October schedule starting next year. Much like the schedule before the Market Authority went to March-September dates this year, the April ...
Beaston leaves FFDM; Philpott named CEO.(Geoff Beaston resigns and Ted Philpott promoted at Furniture Design & Marketing)(Brief article)
Jun 04, 2007; ... Heath E. Combs High Point- Geoff Beaston has resigned as CEO of importer Fine Furniture Design & Marketing to pursue a job in product development for Columbus, Ohio-based Top 100 store chain American Signature. Several industry sources confirmed last week that Beaston ...
Byrnes joins United Home Fabrics.(Tom Byrnes appointed )(Brief article)
Jun 04, 2007 ... Staff Charlotte, N.C.- Industry veteran Tom Byrnes has joined fabric supplier United Home Fabrics International here as a partner and executive vice president. The company is showing for the first time at Showtime in High Point this week in the Suites at Market ...
Craftex consolidates design, shows 6 groups.(Craftex Mills Inc.)(Brief article)
Jun 04, 2007; ... Susan M. Andrews Blue Bell, Pa.- Craftex Mills has consolidated its residential design department at its headquarters here, shifting some operations from High Point. Meanwhile, the company is showing fabrics at Showtime in High Point, which runs through Wednesday, ...
Moore & Giles launches men's leather goods line.(Brief article)
Jun 04, 2007; ... Joan Gunin Forest, Va.- Leather supplier Moore & Giles has launched a men's fashion line of luggage, wallets, money clips and other Italian leather goods. "This is a natural progression for us," said D. Tray Petty, vice president of residential upholstery. "This ...
Sleepy's to pay $200K to settle complaints.(Brief article)
Jun 04, 2007; ... By David Perry New York- Bedding retailer Sleepy's has agreed to pay $200,000 to resolve complaints and settle deceptive sales charges, according to this city's Department of Consumer Affairs. A spokesman for Sleepy's said the retailer did not admit wrongdoing and ...
Home Meridian chooses High Point for home office.(Brief article)
Jun 04, 2007 ... Staff High Point- Furniture importer Home Meridian International said last week it has selected High Point for its new corporate headquarters. Earlier, the High Point City Council authorized $200,000 in incentives to help attract Home Meridian, parent of Pulaski and ...
Collier rejoins La-Z-Boy after 2-year absence.(Doug Collier rejoins at La-Z-Boy Inc. La-Z-Boy Business Furniture)(Brief article)
Jun 04, 2007 ... Staff Monroe, Mich.- Doug Collier has returned to La-Z-Boy as vice president and chief marketing officer after a two-year stint at airbed maker Select Comfort. He was vice president, marketing at La-Z-Boy from 2002 to 2005, when he left to take a similar post at ...
Novita Textile expanding U.S. market presence.(Brief article)
Jun 04, 2007 ... Staff High Point- Novita Textile, a specialist in flocked upholstery fabric, is expanding its presence in the U.S. market. It is showing at Showtime here this week in Suites at Market Square, space 1-1002. "We have enjoyed great success in building an ...
WoodMarc closing plant, will still import.(WoodMarc Manufacturing Co.)(Brief article)
Jun 04, 2007; ... Jeff Linville Winterset, Iowa- Bedroom furniture manufacturer WoodMarc Enterprises said today that it is closing its plant here, but will continue as a furniture importer with product it currently sources from China. CEO Jerry Ruff said the imported line has been ...
Sleep Country Canada sales climb 23.6%.(Financial report)
Jun 04, 2007; ... Michael J. Knell Toronto- Sleep Country Canada Income Fund said its three retail banners, two of which were acquired in last year's first quarter, posted a 23.6% sales increase in the first quarter. Net income for the specialty sleep shops advanced a more modest 8.3%. ...
Amisco's 1Q sales decline 15.8% to C$7.5M.(Amisco Industries Ltd.)(Financial report)
Jun 04, 2007 ... Staff L'Islet, Quebec- Metal furniture specialist Amisco Inds. said sales dropped 15.8% in its first quarter ended March 3, and the company incurred a net loss of C$93,424 or 2 Canadian cents per share. Sales in the latest quarter came to C$7.5 million, compared with ...
Owners confirm Leath will close, liquidate.(Leath Furniture Inc.)(Brief article)
Jun 04, 2007; ... By Clint Engel Atlanta- The owners of Leath Furniture have confirmed plans to shut down the entire chain after going-out-of-business sales that have already begun at most remaining stores. The Atlanta-based Top 100 company, with 18 Midwestern Leath stores and seven ...
L&P ups quarterly dividend.(Leggett and Platt Inc.)(Brief article)
Jun 04, 2007 ... Staff Carthage, Mo.- Leggett & Platt has increased its quarterly stock dividend by 5.9% to 18 cents per share. The new dividend will be paid July 13 to ...
Deadline July 20 for seeking '07 dumping funds.
Jun 04, 2007 ... By Heath E. Combs Washington- U.S. Customs and Border Protection is seeking requests from U.S. furniture manufacturers who want to claim shares of antidumping monies that will be made available this year. In a filing on its Web site, Customs lists $57 million as a ...
Tietex launches imports brand.(Brief article)
Jun 04, 2007; ... Susan M. Andrews High Point- Fabric supplier Tietex Interiors has launched a brand called TradeWinds to focus on its import offerings and help its customers manage their offshore sourcing. At the Showtime fabric show here this week, the company is offering 50 new ...
Pachter forms fabric source.(Bruce Pachter forms Gen)(Brief article)
Jun 04, 2007; ... Susan M. Andrews Los Angeles- Textile industry veteran Bruce Pachter has formed a new fabric source here called Gen, through a partnership with Chinese mill Taolin. The company is exhibiting this week at Showtime in High Point in the Suites at Market Square, space ...
Recycling program ready for Bella-Dura.(Brief article)
Jun 04, 2007; ... Susan M. Andrews Garfield, N.J.- Wearbest Sil-Tex Mills, the maker of Bella-Dura performance fabrics, and yarn producer American Fibers and Yarns have developed a recycling program for Bella-Dura products. According to Wearbest, fabrics sent to American Fibers and ...
High Point Market offers hotel discounts for Oct.
Jun 04, 2007 ... Staff High Point- The High Point Market Authority again has secured blocks of rooms at discounted rates for the fall market, Oct. 1-7. Thirty-six hotels in the Piedmont Triad region, all with easy access to the market, are taking part. Market attendees can ...
Tip-over standards don't cover consoles.(Brief article)
Jun 11, 2007 ... Jeff Linville Philadelphia- The proposed furniture tip-over safety standard covers "clothing-storage furniture" but not console cabinets that could support a flat-panel TV. The American Society for Testing and Materials rule as it now stands doesn't cover ...
Parents speak out.(Brief article)
Jun 11, 2007 ... Staff Philadelphia- The parents of two children killed when furniture fell on them spoke about the tragedies at a recent American Society for Testing and Materials meeting here. Judy and Bob Lambert told how their 3A1/2-year-old daughter Katie Elise died in January ...
Smaller silhouettes, bigger function.(new techniques to design dining furniture)
Jun 11, 2007; ... By Heath E. Combs Casual dining sources eye fresh ways to use space High Point- Whether they're called buffets, servers or sideboards, today's dining case pieces are being scaled down for casual dining. But that doesn't mean scaled out. Companies are ...
More fabrics eco-friendly.
Jun 11, 2007; ... By Susan M. Andrews High Point- Interest in green and sustainable fabrics was growing among fabric suppliers and their customers at Summer Showtime. Several companies were ready with products touted as natural and/or environmentally friendly, including Adesal ...
Brass bed prices rise.
Jun 11, 2007; ... By Thomas Russell Sharp hike in copper costs blamed High Point- The rising cost of copper used in brass tubing has raised the cost of brass beds. For brass that comes in two-inch tubing, the price has risen to more than $5 a pound, up from just over $2 two ...
Thornwood seeks duties.(Thornwood Furniture)
Jun 11, 2007; ... By Heath E. Combs Phoenix- Case goods manufacturer Thornwood Furniture has filed a suit seeking antidumping monies from the federal government. Manufacturer and importer Progressive Furniture filed a similar suit, but the CEO of its parent company said the claim will ...
Hooker sales, profit down.(Hooker Furniture Corp.)(Financial report)
Jun 11, 2007; ... By Larry Thomas Martinsville, Va.- Hooker Furniture, which recently closed the last of its domestic wood factories, reported double-digit declines in sales and earnings in its first quarter. The company said the decreases were greater than expected, and the weakness ...
ABCs of mattress safety.
Jun 11, 2007; ... By Larry Thomas Messages updated on brochures, hangtags Washington- The federal Consumer Product Safety Commission has published a consumer brochure highlighting the new mattress flammability standards that go into effect July 1. Meanwhile, the ...
Showtime: All about design.(the fall buying season that had upholstery fabric buyers)
Jun 11, 2007; ... By Susan M. Andrews High Point- The fall buying season began at Showtime here last week as upholstery fabric buyers trooped from showroom to showroom in search of the innovation, color and pattern stories they need for frames debuting in three months at the fall furniture ...
Efforts aim to prevent tipping injuries.
Jun 11, 2007; ... By Jeff Linville Philadelphia- Furniture executives and consumer safety advocates are working together on voluntary safety standards to prevent certain case pieces from tipping over and injuring children. An estimated 3,000 children a year are treated for injuries ...
9 design students win Virginia Jackson awards.(Brief article)
Jun 11, 2007 ... Staff High Point- Nine textile design students were awarded the 2007 Virginia Jackson Design Awards in the annual competition sponsored by the International Textile Market Assn.'s Educational Foundation. Awards were given in jacquard, print and dobby categories ....
Leather buyers want pearlized finishes, metallic tones.
Jun 11, 2007; ... By Joan Gunin High Point- While the number of leather hide exhibitors participating at Showtime shrinks with each event, the stalwarts showing here last week saw manufacturers that preferred pearlized finishes and metallic overtones over eco-green selections. Many ...
We love beach music!
Jun 11, 2007 ... Staff High Point- A summer storm and lingering humidity provided plenty of moisture for the first-ever Showtime Summer Beach Party ...
Sleep Train chugs to top of fast-growth list.(Statistical data)
Jun 11, 2007 ... By Clint Engel Bedding specialists take four Top 10 slots on F/T's composite index High Point- Ashley Furniture HomeStores may have risen to the top of the Top 100 this year, but for the first time in four years, it won't be crowned the fastest-growing store among ...
PeopLoungers gets loan, will continue to cut costs.(Harris, Jernigan and Geno )(Brief article)
Jun 11, 2007; ... Gary Evans Nettleton, Miss.- Motion furniture manufacturer PeopLoungers said last week it had secured $9.5 million in financing to support its restructuring. Officials said the debtor-in-possession loan from Capital Business Credit of New York will allow the company ...
Mattress Firm to buy St. Louis units.(Yotes Inc.)(Brief article)
Jun 11, 2007 ... Staff Houston- Bedding retailer Mattress Firm has signed a letter of intent to acquire its nine franchise stores in St. Louis from the owner, Yotes Inc. Terms of the deal, which is in the due diligence phase, weren't disclosed. The acquisition will bring ...