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Furniture suppliers learn about Canada export plan

Consortium aims to establish showroom in Toronto

Ray Allegrezza -- Furniture Today, July 29, 2010

HIGH POINT — Judging by the attendance at what it called a preliminary interest meeting here Wednesday, the Home Furnishings Consortium, a newly formed group dedicated to helping U.S.-based home furnishings companies grow their export business, got off to a strong start.

Representatives from furniture suppliers including Bassett, Bernhardt, Century and Jasper Cabinet, along with executives from transportation and logistics companies, met at the High Point Chamber of Commerce to hear more about the group and its objectives.

The effort, spearheaded by Capel Rugs, intends to expand U.S. exports of home furnishings, in part by establishing a permanent collective showroom in a Toronto design center for a consortium of North Carolina home furnishings sources.

According to Bud Young, Capel's vice president of marketing, the showroom the Home Furnishings Consortium intends to set up in SOFA/Source of Furniture + Accessories, the design center at Toronto's International Centre, will enable participating companies to work collectively to tap the export potential in the Canadian market, gain exposure to the design community, and share exhibit costs, Young said.
"Specifically, by participating in this consortium, American home furnishings suppliers will springboard growth and expand in international markets while sharing related costs for showroom leasing and operations, shipments and marketing, Young said.
Attendees also heard from Charles Green, chairman of the North Carolina Furnishings Export Council; Dany Lester and Bobby Wertman, representing SOFA; Mike Padjen, director of the North Carolina Furniture Export Office, and Jean Davis, director of the International Trade Division of the North Carolina Department of Commerce.

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