Singapore council names Goh president
Thomas Russell -- Furniture Today, January 10, 2011
SINGAPORE — The Singapore Furniture Inds. Council has named James Goh, an executive with leather upholstery resource Lorenzo International, as its president for 2010-2012.
Goh, the executive chairman and group managing director of Lorenzo, replaces Andrew Ng, managing director of Kiat Lee Inds. Ng, who served two full terms as president, is now part of a fiveperson team of presidential advisors.
Goh has been a member of SFIC's executive committee since 1998 and has held other roles in the organization. In a statement, he said he and the committee will work hard to continue the success of Singapore's furniture industry.
"Singapore's furniture industry has grown from strength to strength, in spite of the challenging business climate," he said. "Together with the newly elected executive committee, we will build on the good work of the preceding committee, and continue to diligently pursue SFIC's goals and objectives to grow our industry capabilities and global market share."
Along with Andrew Ng, the presidential advisors include Choo Yong Fee, deputy managing director, Cheng Meng Furniture Co Pte Ltd; Tony Lin, president, Eurosa Furniture Co. (Pte) Ltd; James Koh, deputy chairman and managing director, Koda Ltd; and Bert Choong, managing director, Nobel Design Holdings Ltd.
The executive committee members include Sim Kah Choon, managing director, Abitex Designs (S) Pte Ltd; Jake Tan, executive director, Admira Pte Ltd; Alison Kwok, managing director, Cathay Decoration & Construction Pte Ltd; Jimmy Tan, director, Cellini Design Center Pte Ltd; Jeffrey Yong, vice president, Eurosa Furniture Co (Pte) Ltd; Quah Soon Chow, deputy chairman, Getz Bros. & Co (S) Pte Ltd; Jerry Tan, managing director, Jaco Singapore Pte Ltd; Andrew Pang, creative director, Lavaworks; and Simon Ong, group managing director, Kingsmen Projects Pte Ltd.
Formed in 1981, the SFIC represents 95% of established furniture producers in Singapore, about 65% of which have plants in China, Vietnam, Malaysia, India and other parts of Asia. It also is the organizer of the International Furniture Fair Singapore, which is held every March, and manages Singapore's International Furniture Centre, which has furniture showrooms that are open year round to buyers.
People On The Move
Awards/Achievements
CSN Stores
Shah
BOSTON — Niraj Shah, CEO and co-founder of online retailing giant CSN Stores, has received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award in the consumer retail category for New England.
The award recognizes entrepreneurs who are building and leading dynamic and growing businesses, according to a news release.
Shaw and company Chairman Steve Conine founded CSN eight years ago. The privately owned company is now the third-largest online retailer of home products in the United States. Sales for the first and second quarter of 2010 have increased by more than 60% over last year and the company has added 200 employees, bringing its total to more than 600.
Directors
Flexible Foam Products
SPENCERVILLE, Ohio — Flexible Foam Products has promoted Maury O'Brien to director of research and development.
O'Brien joined the company in 2008 as a general manager and was then named regional manager.
"Maury has been instrumental to our bedding division, and we are thrilled to promote him to this essential position," said Michael Crowell, vice president of marketing.
Before joining the company, O'Brien had worked for bedding manufacturers including Spring Air, Sealy and Serta.
Executives
First Capital
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Commercial finance company First Capital has named Timothy Blackburn business development officer for its new office in here.
He will be responsible for business development and marketing in Charlotte and the surrounding regions with an emphasis on the furniture and household accessories industries.
He most recently was senior vice president and regional sales manager for Wells Fargo Trade Capital. Earlier, he was with BB&T Factors/BB&T Commercial Finance.
Samuel Lawrence Hospitality
Decker
HIGH POINT — Samuel Lawrence Hospitality, a division of Home Meridian International, has named Quinn Decker president.
He replaces Roy Mitchell, who has been with the company for several years. Mitchell is taking a leave of absence due to health issues and remains with the company in an advisory capacity.
Before joining SLH, Decker was with Kimball Hospitality for about 11 years, most recently as director of sales. He has worked in manufacturing, supply chain, and purchasing management positions with Kimball.
In his new role, he reports to George Revington, president and CEO of Home Meridian International.
Peggy Stone, manager of sales operations, and Richard Dortch, manager of new product development, will report to Decker.
Marketing/Sales
Ed Kemp Associates
Venable
HIGH POINT — Home furnishings marketing executive Leigh Ann Venable has joined High Point m a r k e t i n g firm Ed Kemp Associates as account executive and business development manager.
Venable was the owner of 360 Marketing, a marketing and branding agency specializing in the home furnishings industry, which has closed.
She said the transition to her new firm was essential to the success of her long-term clients such as Century Furniture, Bernhardt Furniture and Home Meridian International. "Joining a respected and well-known agency like Ed Kemp Associates enables me, through the support of a strong team and vast resources, to offer clients the best in advertising, marketing and PR," Venable said.
Jon Kemp, president of the agency, said that the 49-yearold firm has worked for home furnishings clients but the addition of Venable will enable it to form strong relationships in the industry.
AmericasMart Atlanta
Gay
ATLANTA — AmericasMart Atlanta, the organization that heads up apparel, gift, home furnishings and houseware shows held here each year, has named Mike Gay senior vice president of marketing.
Gay succeeds Mike Turnbull, who has been named vice president of strategic relations for AMC Inc. and its AmericasMart and Lightfair International entities.
Gay comes to AmericasMart from Philips Consumer Lifestyle in Atlanta, where he worked for 13 years, most recently as vice president of marketing and general manager of e-commerce and value-added services.
In his new role, he will oversee a team of marketing, advertising, technology, retail services and publishing professionals.
AmericasMart hosts 19 markets a year.
Management
Lady Americana
OKLAHOMA CITY — Top 15 bedding producer Lady Americana has hired Jeff Bier as brand manager.
He has extensive experience in creative services and has also worked in television and radio.
"Consumers have a right to be informed about the priceless benefits of great comfort and the best, healthiest sleep possible," said Kerry Tramel, president of Lady Americana.
Richards & Associates
TORONTO — Richard Landriault has been named to represent upholstery specialist Fornirama and its sister company, J&F Imports, in Ontario.
Landriault's firm, Richards & Associates, also represents two Italian home furnishings companies, bedding specialist Magniflex and Incanto Group, the high-end upholstery house.
Founded in 1975 by Bruno Morabito, Fornirama produces fabric and leather stationary upholstery groups and chairs in a 60,000-square-foot factory in the Rivières des Prairies district of Montreal.
J&F distributes imported upholstery, tables, bedroom and dining room.
Fornirama will exhibit at the Canadian Home Furnishings Market, set for Jan. 15-18, in space 2018 of the International Centre.
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