High Point Premarket exhibitors pleased with show

Heath E. Combs -- Furniture Today, March 13, 2013

Samuel Lawrence Furniture’s well received HomeWork 2.0 introduction includes this patent pending work hutch on dining room table. When not in use, the hutch can be stored on the table stretcher.

HIGH POINT — Premarket sponsors reported good reception to new product at this week's preview of the upcoming furniture market here.

Doug Bassett, president of case goods manufacturer Vaughan-Bassett, said on Monday that the company tied a record first day Premarket attendance and saw about 54 retail customers, making this its second biggest Premarket. The event ran Monday and Tuesday.
He said the company has strong commitments to both of its new groups, the contemporary Taylor's Loft including beds with upholstered headboards and footboards, and the rustic Hanover suite.

Upholstery and case goods source Thomasville showed a collection called Modern Artefacts that includes about 58 mostly accent pieces. Pieces featured construction with petrified wood, textured metals, some acrylic and brushed brass.

Rick Stroud, vice president of sales for case goods and upholstery, said retailers get a head start on market by attending Premarket.

"It helps cut back a lot of the work that they'd normally do during market," Stroud said.

Richard Magnussen, CEO of case goods source Magnussen, said the company saw good response to about nine bedroom groups shown here. He added that while Premarket is good for showing product, its networking events help build stronger relationships between retailers and suppliers.

Full line manufacturer Fine Furniture Design previewed pieces from its new lower-priced Vietnam-produced Circa bedroom line starting at $799. Jim Adams, vice president of product design and marketing, said the company saw expected visitors on Monday and good walk-in traffic on Tuesday.

"It bodes well for a good market," Adams said.