A hipper G. Romano celebrating 45 years during CHFM
By Michael J. Knell -- Furniture Today, January 7, 2007
Toronto — Contemporary upholstery specialist G. Romano is celebrating 45 years in business at the January market here with what Rick Lovegrove describes as a hip, fashionable line scaled for urban living.
"In 1994, we made a conscious effort to reinvent the Romano brand," said Lovegrove, head of sales and design for the Montreal-based producer. "We began building a design-oriented collection based on both form and fashion.
"We designed it around what was happening in architecture, particularly the surge in popularity of condos and renovated lofts. We were among the first to focus on smaller-scale, condo-sized frames, which are now popping up in many manufacturers' collections," he said.
The change in design direction meant essentially rebuilding Romano, including new fabric suppliers and a new sales force to forge new customer relationships. It wasn't easy but has proved successful, Lovegrove said.
"The combination of scale, clean lines and the latest color trends are what our customers come to us for, and that has allowed us to succeed in an import-driven industry," he said. "We work hard on keeping it fresh. Coasting on last season's collections is not an option for us."
In late 2004, in a project overseen by Natalina Romano, daughter of founders Gino and Maria Romano, a team of engineers helped modernize the company's 35,000-square-foot factory. It switched to a lean manufacturing model to boost efficiency and cut delivery times.
"Significantly decreasing lead times from eight-to-10 weeks to four weeks was absolutely essential to the success of this company," said Lovegrove. "Today's G. Romano is an energized company with a clear direction and an endless supply of new ideas."
The latest additions to the line include upholstered beds and dining chairs, which can be covered in any of over 200 fabrics.
G. Romano remains family owned and headed by the second-generation husband-and-wife team of Natalina Romano and Lovegrove.
The company is showing in Hall 1, space 1108 here, and also exhibits at the High Point and Las Vegas furniture markets.
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