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Imports spur change in wholesaler group

By Tom Edmonds -- Furniture Today, March 16, 2003

High Point — One of the oldest furniture trade groups, the International Wholesale Furniture Assn., is reinventing itself in a sign of the dramatic changes taking place in the industry.

After a year of input from members and associates, the group has changed its name to the International Furniture Suppliers Assn. The word "supplier" refers to all finished-good suppliers, including importers as well as wholesalers, the group's primary focus previously.

Gary Chase, president of FurnitureFan and an IFSA vice president, said the new name reflects the growth of imports.

"There is a need for an association to serve finished goods suppliers who sell in North America. Many domestic manufacturers have grown to become importers, and wholesalers are now importers. The blurring of the channels of distribution is ever changing and we have to be part of the change," he said.

Don Mecke, senior vice president of sales and marketing of Kathy Ireland Home by Standard Furniture and executive vice president at IFSA, agreed.

"This is good for all of us because it expands the opportunity of membership to many companies that don't meet the requirements of other associations," Mecke said. "IFSA is an association of finished goods suppliers supporting the retail trade by continuous improvement of our industry through advocacy, research and the exchange of ideas."

Over the next several months, IFSA plans to work with members to expand its programs and benefits. The group is also looking to find synergies with other furniture trade associations.

"We have had open discussion with several furniture associations about the possibilities of working together," Mecke said. "I think the furniture industry would be best serviced if we all work together. Certainly many conferences and programs would be more beneficial, if we had more people participating in them."

Phyllis Tuttle, executive director, said IFSA membership is open to any furniture wholesaler, importer, manufacturer, agent or any other firm marketing or selling finished furniture. Associate membership will now consist of those companies providing services to IFSA members, such as advertising, financial services, trucking and logistics, computer programs or equipment.

For more information, call the association office at (336) 884-1566.

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