Leather powers continue to thrive
By Joan Gunin -- Furniture Today, March 3, 2002
HIGH POINT — Despite a somewhat bumpy economic ride this past year, manufacturers of stationary leather seating have managed to circumvent the potholes.
As the category continues to thrive, several stationary frame manufacturers have managed to rise above the rutted plain.
Many leather producers have held steady in the face of pendulum-like swings resulting from temperamental hide pricing and acute economic uncertainties. Here, some of those leaders within the industry — particularly those with earnings of more than $40 million in annual sales in the United States — key in on what sets them apart from their competitors.
Although the manufacturers have not been ranked, Natuzzi remains on top. With projected sales for 2001 of approximately $320 million for the Americas, it represents one of the few companies that is not only public but also breaks out its figures separately for its leather category.
In addition to those profiled here, other stationary manufacturers of note — due to size, creativity, brand name or just plain smarts — include American Leather, Ethan Allen, Flexsteel, Divania, La-Z-Boy, Omnia, Palliser, Soft Line and View Point.
The Asian-based vertical operations Home Impressions and HTL International are also striving to gain greater visibility within the U.S. marketplace.
| COMPANY, HEADQUARTERS, WEB SITE | ESTIMATED U.S. SALES VOLUME |
|---|---|
| American Leather, Dallas, www.americanleather.com | $40 million |
| Ashley, Arcadia, Wis., www.ashleyfurniture.com | $23 million (leather sales) |
| Broyhill, Lenoir, N.C., www.broyhillfurn.com | $32 million |
| 20% of leather product produced outside the United States | |
| Chateaux d'Ax, Milano, Italy, www.chateau-dax.it | $65 million |
| DeCoro, Forli, Italy | $60 million |
| 100% of leather product produced outside the United States | |
| Divania, Modugno, Italy, www.divania.com | $45 million |
| Flexsteel, Dubuque, Iowa, www.flexsteel.com | $30 million (leather sales) |
| Klaussner, Asheboro, N.C., www.klaussner.com | $180 million(leather sales) |
| LeatherTrend, San Diego, Calif., www.leathertrend.com | $120 million |
| 100% of leather product produced outside the United States | |
| Natale, Gravina in Puglia, Italy, www.nfifurniture.com | $45 million |
| 100% of leather product produced outside the United States | |
| Natuzzi, Santeramo in Colle, Italy | $297 million |
| 100% of leather product produced outside the United States | |
| Nicoletti, Matera, Italy, | $50 million |
| www.nicolettisalotti.it (Web site under construction) | |
| 100% of leather product produced outside the United States | |
| Omnia Leather, Chino, Calif., | $30 million |
| www.omnialeather.com | |
| Palliser, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada www.palliser.com | $100 million |
| Source: Estimates from Furniture/Today research, telephone interviews and company reports |
-
Upholstery makers have hopes up high
Feb 6, 2012 -
Leather sources pleased with market activity
Aug 3, 2008 -
Ashley Furniture restructures sales divisions
Dec 9, 2009 -
Revamped Palliser adds Asian product
Nov 5, 2006
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