Leather producers hope SF sets positive trend for year
By Joan Gunin -- Furniture Today, January 27, 2002
SAN FRANCISCO — Invigorated by the healthy tenor of the market, leather upholstery manufacturers here were hoping for a business uptick this year.
In addition to established exhibitors, the West Coast show welcomed several newcomers in the category.
One was Italian-based leather producer Gamma, showing in San Francisco for the first time. Vanni Emiliani, area manager, said he was pleased by the response to his line of better-priced contemporary frames.
"People missed High Point due to Sept. 11, so they came here," Emiliani said.
Peter Zolferino, vice president of marketing for Omnia Leather, said his business had picked up prior to Sept. 11. "Our backlog is probably the strongest it's been. We're looking forward to a good 2002."
Omnia brought out two stationary groups here. The company recently expanded its motion production and will boost its stationary capabilities in 2003, Zolferino said.
Nicoletti's business has been running well since Christmas, said Tiziana Catalano, assistant U.S. sales manager. Added Bill DeGolia, Nicoletti's western sales representative, "We have real buyers writing real orders and there is a general good feeling."
"Retailers are buying," agreed Dan Toews, Palliser's stationary upholstery merchandise manager. "Our upholstery has been very strong. Leather, of course, has grown the most."
But Gary Zuckerman, vice president of sales and merchandising for Jaymar, said he was "not so sure" about the likelihood of a second-quarter sales bounce. "I would be thrilled if there is — if we will see a turnaround this year."
Scott Cohen, president of Intermountain Furniture, said business has been "tremendous. As specialists in both a western niche and in oversized casual frames, we offer tremendous value which helps during times like this."
While continuing to operate its "Couch Coach," a traveling showroom that logged 75,000 miles this year, the Utah manufacturer also had a market showroom in San Francisco.
Flexsteel adjusted its prices by changing the grades of certain leathers, saving retailers $50 to $100 at wholesale, said Jim Richardson, senior vice president of marketing.
"There has been some selective softening of leather pricing but not across the board," Richardson said. "There is some opportunistic buying but the supply and demand has eased."
Ashley's Millennium division was showing Leather Plush — leather in combination with microfiber for a sleek, monochromatic story. "This was not done for price ($799 retail), but as a fashion statement," said Tom Leon, division president.
Kerry Lebensburger, president of Ashley upholstery, called December the company's best month ever for fabric and upholstery. At American Leather, Cary Benson, vice president of sales and marketing, said the same about January.
Leather resources new to the show included El Ran, Hacienda Leather and Home Impressions.
Another newcomer, ACT Leather, a vertical operation based in Thailand, was gauging potential interest, said Supanee "Susy" Lourvanij, managing director.
Several producers brought notable new leather goods introduced in October in High Point. These included BenchCraft's Vera Pelle line, Lane's expanded Jack Palance promotion featuring the Del Rio sofa from its Continental Select cut-and-sew import program, and the Christopher Lowell Home Collection from Flexsteel.
| Making its West Coast debut, Gamma unveiled a contemporary leather assortment headlined by this style, Havana. Accented in raffia trim, the sofa will retail at about $3,800. |
| One of Broyhill's San Francisco introductions from its Attic Heirlooms collection marries leather with a Mastercraft fabric for a colorful western look at $1,299 retail. |
| Intermountain Furniture expands its better-priced Wind River collection with Wolf Hunt, also offered in Elk, Bear or Cowboy tapestries from Quaker. Combined with Americraft leather, the chair retails for $999. A matching storage ottoman is available. |
-
Early traffic brisk at Tupelo market
Feb 23, 2012 -
Upholstery makers have hopes up high
Feb 6, 2012 -
Upholstery producers remain optimistic
Apr 28, 2011
Featured Company
-
Wright Labels
Bill and Tom Wright founded Wright of Thomasville in 1961 on the idea that printing was a creative medium and the belief that "a promise made is a promise kept." The Wright brothers focused their attention on providing exceptional printing for the... more
VIEW ALL GALLERIES
