Cribbs joins new importer, Unique Furniture
By Thomas Russell -- Furniture Today, April 10, 2005
High Point — Industry veteran Robert Cribbs has been named president of new case goods importer Unique Furniture and is taking up the post during the market here.
Cribbs, who was vice president of sales for Hekman/Woodmark, has been working as a consultant for Unique, which made its market debut last October and this market is exhibiting in space 2113 of Showplace.
The company was formed last year as the U.S. marketing arm of Singapore-based manufacturer Eurosa Furniture Co., which does much of its business in Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
In his consulting role, Cribbs helped Eurosa create a line more geared to the mainstream U.S. market. Previously, Unique's products were more tailored to the design trade, Cribbs said.
The line, which includes bedroom, dining room, occasional and leather sofas and chairs, now falls within middle to lower-middle price points. Leather sofas, for example, will retail from $599 to $999, and a five-piece bedroom for $3,995.
Unique, based in Grand Rapids, Mich., hopes to work directly with offshore suppliers versus acting as a broker or sourcing agent. Its relationship with Eurosa gives it access to that company's factories in China, Malaysia and Singapore.
Cribbs said Unique will be able to ship mixed containers of bedroom, dining room, occasional, wall units and upholstery products, giving it an opportunity to service smaller and midsized retailers.
The company also will give dealers exclusive distribution in a given marketplace.
Cribbs met with some potential customers last October in High Point, and saw some U.S. buyers in Eurosa's booth at this year's International Furniture Fair Singapore. His goal this market is to grow Unique's U.S. sales force and secure more business from dealers.
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