Leather sources satisified with brisk order writing
By Joan Gunin -- Furniture Today, February 5, 2006
Las Vegas — Leather upholstery resources were satisfied with the brisk order writing at the second Las Vegas Market, even as some conceded it wasn't at the same fevered pitch as in July.
With long registration lines on opening day Monday and some buyers shopping the temporary exhibits at Mandalay Bay, which opened Tuesday, some World Market Center showrooms at times lacked the overflow crowds seen in July.
Some suppliers not showing in Vegas paid a visit, as top executives from Natuzzi Americas, Schillig USA, Coja and others walked the halls to gauge the quality of buyers.
While most exhibitors characterized showroom traffic as the same or slightly below the summer frenzy, they were enthused. But most were not quite ready to say whether Las Vegas will become a big regional market or national mainstay.
Lee Fautsch, vice president of residential upholstery sales at Flexsteel, dubbed it "a super-regional," while Leather Italia USA President Michael Campbell said it was a national event.
"Wow, it's been phenomenal — better than July," Campbell said. With his company's opening of a warehouse in Chino, Calif., in December, the company could offer more programs to Western retailers.
Guy Baur, president of Canada-based Legacy Leather International, showing in a temporary space in Mandalay Bay, opened new accounts and said Las Vegas offers "a lot of exposure." But he added, "High Point — for all its faults — is where furniture people have to be. As a regional contemporary market, Las Vegas has merit but to open a permanent showroom here is foolish."
Legacy Leather has a freestanding showroom building on Hamilton Avenue in High Point.
Classic Leather collaborated with other U.S. manufacturers in a space at Mandalay Bay. It joined with upholstery maker Comfort Designs and case goods manufacturers Vermont Tubbs and Caperton Furnitureworks.
"We wrote 80% more business opening day (Tuesday) than we did all Las Vegas market in July," said Guy Holbrook, vice president of sales for Classic Leather.
Executives at Collezione Europa and Broyhill said they saw more traffic here than at the High Point market.
"We saw people from all over the country and opened new accounts with majors, not just West Coast dealers," said Tim Connors, vice president of sales and merchandising for Collezione Europa. "Our container-driven programs help us to pull in the big guys but we also have special warehousing programs for the smaller guys, too."
At Canada-based Elran, President Sheldon Lubin said he was seeing "a lot more (first-time) Easterners who have never been to Las Vegas before. We are writing business." He added that he saw many dealers here that he also sees in High Point.
While Lane and Standard were among those manufacturers electing to reintroduce stationary frames from High Point in sporty new covers, Broyhill, Elran, Emerald Home Furnishings and Moroni unveiled new leather seating.
Broyhill's 15 new upholstery frames included 12 in fabric, a nubuck leather sofa and a traditional sectional. Additionally, a leather/fabric collage entry went over exceptionally well, said Michael Delgatti, executive vice president of Broyhill.
"We have seen the same number of people here — if not more — as in July," an enthusiastic Delgatti said.
Garnering strong interest at Aspen Leather was a companion recliner added to its accent chair/ottoman program. In six styles, the recliner retails at $799, said Jena Hall, merchandise coordinator.
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Leather sources enjoy positive reception
Feb 19, 2006 -
Leather sources enjoy positive reception
Feb 1, 2006
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