Still needed: Fresh ideas
Susan M. Andrews, Fabric Editor -- Furniture Today, February 11, 2007
The year is well under way and business is not great for most suppliers of upholstery fabric, who remain challenged by low-cost imports and limp retail conditions.
More and more furniture makers are sourcing fully upholstered frames, so fabric suppliers need to be on the ground in China in one way or another if they want a chance at any of that business.
In fact, all the major upholstery players have implemented some sort of "blended strategy" whereby they source product from the Far East while maintaining at least some domestic production, although that domestic production is being whittled down pretty steadily.
Some of the upscale niche players also are paring down their work forces, sales forces and production, as well as putting more effort toward secondary markets like contract, hospitality and outdoor furnishings.
More than a couple of the few purely domestic players still operating are looking at Central and South America for opportunities to stay competitive, with an eye to offering faster turnaround on cut-and-sew kits for domestic producers.
You can look at columns of numbers all day long and make pie charts and bar graphs and Venn diagrams and try to find the key to sparking business at retail, but offering something fresh in fabric remains one of the best bets. Finding fresh fabrics means stepping away from the everyday and looking at things from a fresh perspective. Foreign fabric shows can help, so you'll find previews of a few upcoming shows on these pages to help you plan.
Meet the flockers
In addition, this issue of Global Textiles Today offers a closer look at a type of upholstery fabric that is enjoying a well-deserved renaissance — flock.
If your immediate response is negative, it's time to adjust your attitude. Technology and design have taken flock to an entirely new level of style, and you will see it at the spring furniture market at all price levels — including the high end.
We've all done it — flocking, I mean. Remember that lopsided paper Valentine you made for your mother? To make it prettier and more interesting, you smeared Elmer's glue on it and sprinkled it with glitter.
It's the same principle with flocked fabrics, except they look better and last longer.
I've visited flocking plants in Europe and the United States and I know it's science — but it looks like magic to me.
A handful of nylon flock is ethereal. It's so light and fluffy your eyes can't begin to sort one minuscule bit from another and yet a combination of physics and chemistry and electrostatic energy makes it possible to corral all those billions of microscopic bits, fling them onto an adhesive-coated surface and have them all stand up at the exact desired angle.
If you haven't looked at flocked fabric lately, here are four reasons you should consider doing so:
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Flocked upholstery fabrics are soft and velvety. Consumers like soft and velvety.
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Flocked upholstery fabrics are durable and easy to clean, many with soap and water. Consumers like durable and cleanable.
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Flocked upholstery fabrics are getting more decorative by the minute as new substrates and techniques produce entirely new looks. Consumers like new looks.
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Flocking has a long, interesting history that makes a good story. Consumers like stories.
Flocking is used on everything from bobble head puppies for your dashboard to display cases for million-dollar jewelry. It's an extremely versatile technology and if you can think of a new application, there is someone out there who can make it for you.
Open your mind and take advantage of these new looks in an ancient construction.
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Domestic upholstery producers optimistic
Apr 28, 2011 -
Buyers want what works
Feb 1, 2010 -
Where will the industry be in 10 years?
Feb 26, 2006 -
U.S. fabric makers gaining ground
Jul 20, 2008
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