Alfonso Marina returns to High Point
Tom Russell -- Furniture Today, April 5, 2011
Carlos Marina of Alfonso Marina stands by the company’s new Andaluz armoire. It has barley twist legs and doors inspired by the Franz Mayer Museum in Mexico City with a mix of ebony, crotch mahogany, bone and walnut inlays.
AT THE MARKET - About three years ago, Mexican upper end case goods manufacturer Alfonso Marina decided to leave High Point in response to a global recession that made attending market too expensive.
It mainly showed its product in distributor showrooms around the United States and also flew dealers to its showroom in Mexico City.
As business conditions improved over the past six months, the company decided to return to High Point and is showing here in Market Square, space 317. It is offering 54 pieces, the largest introduction it has ever brought to the show, said Robert Fernbacher, the company's vice president of sales and marketing in the U.S.
"Since we haven't been in this market for three years, we wanted to come back and make a splash," he said, adding that the reaction here has been good with strong attendance and order writing over the first few days of market.
Signature pieces include grand scale items such as an 84-inch-tall armoire/entertainment center. Retailing at $14,750, it is made with Santos rosewood, white cedar and ebony inlays and features rosewood knobs and trim.
A 55-inch round dining table that retails at $8,000 is made with Brazilian walnut veneers in a sunburst pattern. The table has a large vase-shaped pedestal base.
The 80-inch tall Andaluz armoire has doors inspired by the Franz Mayer Museum in Mexico City. Retailing at $16,925, it has a mix of ebony, crotch mahogany, bone and walnut inlays and sits on barley twist legs surrounding a bottom shelf.
Other key pieces include an 86-inch-wide, Asian-inspired console in solid prima vera and a handcarved Moorish-inspired Alhambra armoire.
The company, formed by Alfonso Marina in 1971, uses woods from sustainable plantations and also designs and produces its own hand-cut, beveled and chiseled hardware.
Carlos Marina, executive vice president, said the company does about 70% of its export business in the United States. It also sells in Mexico as well as other export markets such as Canada, Egypt, Greece and Russia.
Marina said the tough economy has led the company to streamline its processes, eliminate waste and improve on deliveries and customer service.
He said the design trade in particular has helped keep its U.S. business going over the past several years. As the economy improves, Alfonso Marina is seeking to get back in front of other customers including retailers and designers shopping High Point, he said.
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