Universal launches mixed container program for western dealers

Smart Mix 500 available in 10 states

Thomas Russell -- Furniture Today, June 9, 2010

HIGH POINT — Case goods resource Universal Furniture has launched a mixed container program for dealers in 10 western states that will offer container-direct pricing on a number of items and collections.

The Smart Mix 500 program is available to dealers in Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

Under the program, retailers can order as few as 500 cubes worth of product - the equivalent of three bedroom suites - from the company's Universal brand and its licensed collections, Better Homes and Gardens by Universal and Paula Deen Home.

The products are shipped from Universal's high-cube automated warehouse in Shanghai. Customers will receive orders in as little as four weeks from the time of order.

The program began on a test basis earlier this year.

"We've been pleased with the dealer response to the flexibility and savings of Smart Mix 500," said Universal President and CEO Jeff Scheffer. "At container direct pricing, they are able to buy good, affordable, smart design with near domestic warehouse fulfillment but without the high cost of carrying inventory. It's a win-win."

In conjunction with the move, the company will cease operations at its City of Industry, Calif., warehouse in the fourth quarter. Cross-dock operations in Riverside, Calif., will handle orders now processed at the City of Industry facility.

The company also will continue to offer quick-ship orders from its High Point warehouse.