400 attend ADL awards night in New York
Dinner honors Havertys, Michael Amini, Hymie Itzkovitz
Clint Engel -- Furniture Today, June 12, 2008
Back row: Shawn Samson, left, World Market Center; Nancy Samson; Michael Amini, AICO; and Lily Amini; with the Amini children Kian, left, and Iman.
Hymie Itzkovitz, left, John DeFalco, George Itzkovitz, Primo International; and Cara Itzkovitz.
NEW YORK — About 400 people attended an Anti-Defamation League event here this month to pay tribute to this year’s three recipients of the organization’s top home furnishing industry honors.
Michael Amini, founder and CEO of AICO/Amini Innovation Corp., and Clarence Smith, president and CEO of Atlanta-based Havertys — accepting on behalf of the retailer — each received the American Heritage Award for “unwavering commitment to humanitarian goals and dedication to the community.”
Hymie Itzkovitz, founder of Primo International, was honored with the Lifetime Humanitarian Award for “living and teaching others to live by the principles of good citizenship and devotion to community.”
The dinner dance at the Grand Hyatt Hotel here raised more than $550,000 for the ADL. The industry chairs are former honorees Neil Goldberg of Liverpool, N.Y.-based Raymour & Flanigan and Joe Laneve of Bloomingdale’s in New York. Norman Waxman, Norman Waxman LLC, is chairman emeritus and Kurt Darrow of La-Z-Boy and Gary Fazio of Mattress Firm are vice chairs.
Below are biographies of the award winners, supplied by the ADL, and also a tribute to Itzkovitz given at the dinner by Primo’s John DeFalco.
Mary Ann Ploy and Martin Ploy, AICO.
George Revington, left, Home Meridian International; Joe Carroll, Furniture/Today; Kurt Darrow, La-Z-Boy; and Mike Genrich, AICO.
Stainton McArthur, left, Loft Furniture; Lynn Davis and Shawn Cantrell, Davis International; and Ted Jarnagin, Loft Furniture.
Mike Brenner, left, Related Cos.; Bob Maricich, World Market Center; Andrea Maricich; Nancy Samson; and Shawn Samson and Jack Kashani, World Market Center.
Connie Post, The Connie Post Cos., and Simon Kaplan, Value City Furniture, Dayton, N.J., cut a rug during the Anti-Defamation League’s 2008 National Home Furnishings Tribute.
Havertys biography
“We’ve a remarkable story to share. It’s a story about growth… tradition… service… success… but at the root of all these things, it’s a story about people.” — Rawson Haverty on the occasion of the company’s 100th anniversary, 1985.
In 1885, when commuters made their rounds by horse and buggy, James Joseph (J.J.) Haverty and his brother Michael opened their first store. Their display window was merely the sidewalk, and the driving force behind the company was the potential that J.J. Haverty saw in the bustling city of Atlanta, Ga.
Over 122 years later, Clarence H. Smith, J.J. Haverty’s great-grandson, leads that vision of Havertys Furniture with strength and promise alongside his cousin, Clarence (Clancy) Ridley, who serves as chairman of the board.
It was 1929 when J.J. Haverty’s son Clarence set the company on path of security by making it a publicly traded company, just in time for the great stock market crash. During the boom of the “suburbs” in the 1950s and 60s, Rawson Haverty Sr. guided the company through much success as he oversaw the addition of more suburban stores. Under Rawson Haverty Sr.’s 19-year presidency, the company’s annual sales grew from $16.7 million to $158 million. He served as president from 1955 to 1984, as chief executive officer from 1955 to 1990, and as chairman from 1974 through 2000. He remained strongly connected to the company, serving as director until 2003.
The past decade has been revolutionary for the company. In 1998, the company celebrated another great success when HVT stock debuted on the New York Stock Exchange. February of 2000 saw the first sales of Havertys Collections merchandise. These Havertys-branded items today account for the vast majority of Havertys’ total business. Just one year later, the company’s product distribution was fundamentally changed when a centralized distribution system was implemented. With programs and interfaces developed by Havertys’ MIS department, this highly efficient, state-of-the-art system drastically reduced the need for local warehouses and allowed for better customer service.
Today, Mr. Smith proudly heads the company with great enthusiasm and optimism for the future. The company now stands with 123 showrooms across 17 states, and sales that have reached $800 million. With a completely redesigned Web site that will be fully transactional for the first time this year, Havertys Furniture looks to the horizon, and eagerly caters to today’s market.
Mr. Smith also upholds the legacy of community service and involvement formed a century ago by his great-grandfather, who was deeply involved with the development of such Atlanta landmark institutions as the High Museum of Art and the Cathedral of Christ the King. Currently, Mr. Smith serves as vice chairman of the Marist School Board, on the Oxford Inds. Inc. board of directors, and as chairman of the Catholic Foundation of North Georgia.
For Havertys’ accomplishments and on behalf of its 4,400 employees, Clarence Smith gratefully accepts the Anti-Defamation League’s 2008 American Heritage Award.
Michael Amini biography
As a young man, Michael Amini left home to travel and learn about new places, new ideas, cultures, art and architecture, and to pursue a better education. He first went to Greece and Paris, then finally to London where he studied English for a year. Next came the United States, where he attended college in Southern California, graduating with a degree in electrical engineering.
Through his passion and love of the furniture industry, Michael opened his own company in 1988. The Amini Innovation Corp. of today, better known as AICO, is much different than the 220 square feet of warehouse space Michael had in 1988. Michael’s perseverance, vision, innovation and design creativity has turned AICO into one of the leading furniture importers, with hundreds of employees in the United States, over 20,000 employees in Asia, and a 400,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility in Pico Rivera, Calif., that boasts 86 shipping and receiving docks. Additionally, AICO’s use of three exclusive factories in China, a new upholstery factory, and a mega-warehouse currently under construction for mixing and quick shipping from China, has made Michael one of the world’s leading suppliers of dramatic and creative furniture designs.
AICO’s product line now includes complete case goods collections, high-fashion upholstery, a commercial and contract division called AICO Office Systems, and a complete line of correlated decorative accent rugs and top-of-bed fashions. The development of Michael Amini Homescapes (a gallery concept) is currently underway, as well as other product categories to add to the AICO line-up.
Michael is extremely devoted to his community, and the people within. He was honored in 2004 with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the City of Hope. Michael believes in ‘giving back’ for his good fortune, and recently, City of Hope broke ground on the Michael Amini Transfusion Medicine Center.
At the annual Leadership Conference in 2005, Furniture/Today presented him with the Furniture Supplier of the Year Award, and in 2007 the International Home Furnishings Representatives Assn. honored him with the Pillar of the Industry award for his commitment to the furnishings industry, his community and mankind.
Michael is a creative person who loves fashion, design and innovation. He is also a sensitive and caring person who is deeply devoted to his family, his employees and his customers. His passion and drive are to make a difference in today’s world through both his beautiful furniture designs and his philanthropic efforts. His hope is to continue his work in the years to come. He and his wife, Lily, met in 1988, married in 1995, and are raising two future businessmen (currently ages 8 and 11) who undoubtedly will follow the example set forth by their kindhearted father.
For his industry accomplishments and civic commitment, Michael Amini proudly accepts the 2008 American Heritage Award from the National Home Furnishings Industry on behalf of the Anti-Defamation League.
Hymie Itzkovitz biography
Hymie Itzkovitz, founder of Primo International, has never watched the TV show “Survivor.” But chances are that if he did, he would simply shake his head in dismissal! Hymie lived through something far more real, brutal and life threatening. He survived the Holocaust.
In 1938, the 9-year-old watched as his small, peaceful town of Mir in eastern Poland was occupied by the Russians and then by the German army. If it had not been for the efforts of a friend, he never would have survived. Hymie’s older brothers had left to fight in the resistance, leaving him and his younger brother to fend for themselves. The friend, Oswald Rufeisen, armed them with rifles helping them to flee to a wooded area near a farm where they dug an underground shelter. The farmer supplied them with food, and from 1938 until early 1944 he lived underground.
With the war over, Hymie began his life’s journey — from Poland to Vienna, from Vienna to Canada. Montreal became home to Hymie, his family and then Primo. He tried his hand at many things, but Primo is his crowning glory. This “common sense” person realized that Montreal was home to Italian, Portuguese and Greek immigrants. He didn’t speak their languages, but he hired staff that did. So the business grew by leaps and bounds as his retailer list grew, many of whom were captivated by his pitch: “You don’t have to do anything, just listen.”
Fast-forward to 1990. Hymie proposed what was then a largely unheard-of strategy: consignments! Today, that concept has propelled Primo to be a C$125 million source for upholstery: leather, fabric, futons, mattresses, casual dining, youth furniture, hospitality furniture and more.
Hymie has now turned the daily business over to his son, George, who serves as president and chief operating officer. Another son, David, and John DeFalco are senior executive vice presidents.
“What makes this company successful is that we are a family sharing a vision. Every day we work together to realize that vision. When you do that, you are a strong company,” said Hymie.
That he was chosen to be a Lifetime Humanitarian recipient for the ADL comes as no surprise to his staff. They know him to be a “hands on” and caring person — looking after them like family. The long-term employees of the company refer to him as “Mr. Hymie,” and know that after his family, Hymie truly loves the furniture industry and lives by the belief that serving our clients with honesty and integrity is the only way to do business.
Looking back over a life that has been remarkable, he says there’s been one constant: that which kept him alive during those dark days: “It was easy. I didn’t want to die. I wanted to survive.”
Hymie is one of the founders of Beth Israel Synagogue and remains involved. He supports many charities, including Combine Jewish Appeal, Magen David Adom, Simon Weisenthal and The Jewish General Hospital in Montreal. Hymie and his wife, Rosette, just celebrated their 46th wedding anniversary. They enjoy spending time with their three sons, two daughters and 14 grandchildren.
The ADL applauds Hymie Itzkovitz for his inspiration, involvement and leadership to his community and business. The National Home Furnishings Industry of the Anti-Defamation League thanks him for his ongoing support and allegiance.
Tribute to Hymie Itzkovitz by John DeFalco of Primo International
Thank you Kurt. Congratulations to Clarence and Michael for their well deserved honor this evening.
I am sure that everyone gathered here tonight would agree that these are challenging times facing our industry. If we asked the man that I am here to introduce to you, Hyman Itzkovitz, Mr. Hymie to his staff, he would probably tell you that if you are lucky to live long enough you will see a lot of challenging times, as well as a few good ones.
The story of Hymie’s life is a survivor’s tale of hard work, perseverance, and the incredible will to live.
As a child, Hymie witnessed the murder of his mother and father by the Nazis. At the tender age of 9, armed with a pistol on horseback, he fought the Nazi and Polish army as a partisan fighter until the war’s end. Just for a moment, if you can, imagine your children at 9 years old, facing such overwhelming adversity and despair.
Over the next several years, his entrepreneurial spirit help him to survive a war ravaged country. He began buying and selling goods, always a super salesman, believing that a fair price with good service will bring you customers, a philosophy that he lives by to this day, constantly reminding that fact to all of us at Primo.
At the age of 29, he crossed the Atlantic to North America and settled in Montreal. The only money he possessed were the gold Russian rubles he had nailed to the soles of his shoes to avoid confiscation.
He worked long hours by day as a blouse cutter in a factory and washed dishes by night to make ends meet. Forever an entrepreneur at heart, he began opening retail outlets with his brother. They started furnishing what were called bachelor apartments. When the World’s Fair arrived in Montreal in 1967, he went to his supplier for increased production and was refused. Hymie told him, “If you can make mattresses, so can I !!!”, and with that Primo Bedding was born. Hymie is often asked why he chose the name Primo, he will say, “because in Italian it means number 1,” something he has certainly strived for.
With no line of credit nor the finances for equipment, he convinced a machine supplier to give him what he needed on a promise and a handshake, and he has never looked back.
Primo International has grown to be one of the top Canadian wholesalers in the industry, working with the best retailers in North America and around the world. Opening buying and quality offices throughout Asia, warehousing and distribution in Montreal, Vancouver, California and Ohio and permanent showroom displays in Las Vegas, High Point, Toronto, Montreal and Dongguan, the company continues Hymie’s legacy.
As the torch is passed to the next generation, Hymie has much to be proud of the humble company he started. Surprisingly, Hymie has never held ill will or bitterness to any nationality, ethnicity or faith, visiting countries all over the world, always open-minded, wasting no energy on the past. While the Nazis destroyed his youth, he went to many trade shows in Germany and made countless friends, reminding all of us to rise above hatred and embrace the future.
Overcoming challenging times seems to be what Hyman Itzkovitz does best.
Through the years, with the support of his wife, Rosette, his children, David, Marlene, George,
Robert and Joy giving him many grandchildren, Hymie has certainly accomplished what many south of the Canadian border call the American dream.
Hymie has not forgotten where he came from, quietly supporting countless charities, and many
people and causes anonymously.
Ladies and Gentlemen, it is with great honor that I introduce this year’s recipient of the Lifetime
Humanitarian Award, the founder and chairman of Primo International, Mr. Hyman Itzkovitz!
