Wanted: Canada's best producers
By Michael J. Knell -- Furniture Today, December 4, 2006
Mississauga, Ontario — Who are Canada's best furniture manufacturers?
Retailers can vote online for their choices and see the winners honored at the 2007 Canadian Home Furnishings Awards gala in January.
Every manufacturer member of the Ontario Furniture Manufacturers Assn., Furniture West or the Quebec Furniture Manufacturers Assn. is eligible for the new Retailers' Choice Award.
"This is an opportunity for retailers to say who among us is doing an outstanding job, not just in designing and building product but when it comes to marketing, service and delivery as well," said John Power, chairman of the Canadian Home Furnishings Awards steering committee.
Retailers' Choice is the newest addition to the CHFA program. For voting, it divides manufacturers into two categories: C$10 million and under in annual sales and over C$10 million. The associations created the lists for each category.
Retailers can vote by logging onto the CHFA Web page devoted to the Retailers' Choice Award at www.canadianhomefurnishingsawards.ca/retailers-choice.html.
Voters are asked to select first, second and third place in each size range.
"The manufacturer with the highest overall score in each of the two categories will be awarded the 2007 Retailers' Choice Medallion," said Power, who also is sales manager for bedding specialist Serta Toronto.
When voting online, retailers are asked to consider several criteria, which were developed by the association in consultation with retailers. Among them are product quality and saleability, service, distribution, in-store support and sales representation.
Retailers can vote as many times as they wish until Dec. 31.
The winners will be announced during the 2007 CHFA gala dinner at 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14, in the Pearson Convention Centre. Tickets are available by calling the OFMA office at (905) 677-6561.
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