Industry down, but not out
Call me the perpetual optimist, but as I write this column in the press room at the World Market Center in Las Vegas, I find myself incredibly energized.
Here’s why. The realist in me knows full well that the business has been in a state of suspended animation and may well stay that way for quite some time. Even so, despite this lingering malaise, this industry is sending a resolute message that while it may be down, it is anything but out.
When times get really bad, fear steps in and can cripple a company, rendering it unable to move. That’s certainly not the case here.
For example, Lexington Home Brands had dozens of introductions on display in its chic new showroom. And Vaughan-Bassett, which has remained true to a predominantly domestic manufacturing posture, announced plans here to team up with designer Alexander Julian for a line of furniture appropriately dubbed Authentically American.
Meanwhile, the boys of bedding, always aggressive, continue to grow their business by engaging the consumer with compelling messages about the virtues and opportunities of better sleep.
And let’s not forget the prospects that the burgeoning market for sustainable home furnishings holds. Dozens of suppliers, in every key product category, were here with green goods.
Buyers shopping here had a chance to evaluate Restonic’s eco-friendly Blue Bed. And Simmons created a buzz with the news that Danny Seo, who graced the cover of Green, our first-ever digital magazine, is developing a line of eco-friendly latex beds for the company. And that’s just in bedding.
But perhaps the biggest news that we broke at market concerned a $20 million campaign set to launch this summer to educate and motivate consumers. The campaign is being spearheaded by television network HGTV and the National Home Furnishings Assn. This has the potential to touch, engage and ultimately move the consumer like never before.
coffman commented:
I like your various pieces you have written and wondered if you or someone you know would entertain putting into practice some of these concepts in a significant way that touches most of the market place?
I am acquiring a major vendor to most the furniture and beeding manufacturers in the US and am looking for several Board of Advisors that have name and abilies in the industry. This will ultimately be a nicely compensated position.
If so please contact me at:
503-348-9489
David Coffman
Jennifer commented:
I have to agree with Richard-it seems all that FT is concerned about is the Big 25 manufacturers-unfortunately these are not the future if the industry-its the small to mid size guys who are doing things right.
I have a successful modern store and we buy from great companies such as G.Romano, Mobican and Johnathan Adler(Thank god he dropped rowe)
Emerson MIranda commented:
My showroom is all about being eco-friendly. I'm, as a small business owner, trying to educate clients and market my products, as green. But it seems clients are not quite excited about this option. I would say only 10% are actually really interested. And I'm on a beach community. But I'm optimistic, as well. We need more of these $20 million campaigns to happen.
richard commented:
Hello Furniture Today!
Us like many other small to medium design oriented companies were in vegas too-Sorry no one from Furniture Today even stepped into the Design and Living section..You would have seen the future of the industry
Its unfortunate that FT only talks about the Top 10 manufacturers and forgets about those of us who innovate and try to make the industry a little more fun-
By the way buisness is great,
Cheers
Richard
William commented:
Mr. Editor,
You are correct in being an eternal optimist about the future of the industry. That is the first and most fundamental business component about surviving a typically, chronically and historically tough business.
Some once-powerful retailers are meeting their demise now but there are still many independents and smaller operators who can shore up their businesses and pick up some volume soon. They simply must be prepared to embrace change and think differently about their buy-sell model.
And while the HGTV campaign is certainly the right idea, $20 million dollars will vaporize without result. It needs to be 10x that amount and that is the hard reality. Thanks for listening.
Patrick Henry Brumfield commented:
Dear Editor,
We have developed a RTA furniture design that has a reduction in weight ratio of 2.5:1 when compared to typical RTA designs on the market. I know this may sound a bit unreal but this would allow a 120 lb construction to be reduced to 48 pounds. We have a finished prototype that the lightweight design has no impact on safety or structural integrity.
We incorporated and accomplished four concepts in our design: Originality, consumer safety, consumer assembly and lean manufacturing.
We have attempted to contact manufacturers but fail to receive any serious responses. I ask for your expertise on how to reach interested parties. Our goals are to: seek a party of interest, protect our design, and transfer all rights.
A design such as this would have a positive impact on the U.S. Market, that is keeping U.S. money in U.S.
We felt that in order to create a new breed of furniture to market we had to solve the common complaints of typical RTA furniture (These complaints are generic and are not intended to reflect any one product or design):
1) Consumers, such as a single mom purchasing a 120lb (or more in weight) desk and having assistance at the store loading it but how will she transport it into the house?
i) THE WEIGHT IS REDUCED by: 2.5:1
2) The assembly of RTA is difficult. Our concept on assembly has adapted to the fast paced life style and notices the consumers’ unwillingness to devote hours to construction.
i) ASSEMBLY IS SIMPLE, NO COMPLICATED PARTS OR DIAGRAMS
3) When moving from one home to another, RTA furniture cannot be easily disassembled and the weight often cracks the anchoring points if not handled properly
i) THE DISASSEMBLY IS EASY AS THE ASSEMBLY
4) While moving you might hit or dragging one corner and the laminate peels off
i) THIS DESIGN WILL NOT PEEL OR FLAKE
5) Leave a glass of cold water without a coaster on some RTA furniture and it’s ruined and cannot be repaired.
i) THE SURFACE IS UNAFFECTED BY WATER CONTACT
We thank you for any help regarding this product.
Sincerely,
Patrick Henry Brumfield
pbrumfield2008@gmail.com
