Industry's ready to rock and roll
Despite the gloomy economy, the next few days promise to be anything but.
In fact, so many big stories will unfold this week that it's almost a challenge to know where to begin. It's incredibly energizing to watch an industry that, despite the uncertain economy, is willing to bet large on itself.
Since market leaders tend to set the direction, I have to tip my hat to Ashley CEO Todd Wanek as he makes a $40 million investment in New Millennium, the new iteration of the company's original Millennium collection which, in the 1980s, made high-end contemporary looks affordable to all consumers.
Sources close to the company hint strongly that more big news regarding Ashley and domestic production are on the way.
And speaking of domestic production, particularly in upholstery, the hottest color scheme seems to be red, white and blue, as a growing number of suppliers are stepping up their Made in America messages.
Last week, we reported that Mississippi-based upholstery manufacturer Albany Inds. was investing $2.5 million to establish a facility in Galax, Va.
Earlier this week, we chronicled the launch of another new company, Artistic Leathers. The venture, making its debut here, is offering leather sofas, recliners and home theater seating made in Mexico and warehoused in California and North Carolina.
This week, retailers will also see the first offerings from Asia-based King's Group USA, which is investing $24 million to acquire and renovate a plant in Marion, Ind., to produce upholstery.
Earlier this year, upholstery and case goods maker Fairmont Designs acquired a former Thomasville plant in North Carolina and will make goods there for its East Coast customers.
Meanwhile, United/Simmons Upholstery recently secured a 505,192-square-foot facility in California to produce goods for a growing list of West Coast dealers.
In terms of licensed lines, Martha Stewart (partnering with Miles Talbott and Lefa) is back, Libby Langdon has new furniture made by Braxton Culler, Kathy Ireland has a list of new brand partners and there's so much more... but I am out of space.
The industry is ready to rock and roll this week. I hope you brought your dancing shoes!
uncle joe commented:
Seems that someone should write an article about paula deen and her recent 3 year delay in coming forward,seems her furniture is also sugar coated.this week Paula Deen announced that she’s had Type 2 diabetes for the past three years. Three years? Why’s she just telling us now? Well, in order to endorse Novo Nordisk’s diabetes drug Victoza, of course. Because Paula’s coming out party was on behalf of a juicy endorsement deal, rather than for the sake of her fans, she’s attracted a slew of criticism.
Insiders claim to have long known about Paula’s struggle with diabetes, but she never made her health problems publicly known until now—no doubt because she has an empire built on butter.
In a more recent press release, she’s promised to donate a portion of the money from her new deal to the American Diabetes Association, though the Association said that they were not aware of any such arrangement.
In the melee, we couldn’t help but wonder if Paula might be having second thoughts about her more outrageous recipes. Fried butter balls, anyone? Doughnut burgers? Hold on to your love handles as we remember seven of Paula’s most egregious recipes.
we trust this persons taste in home furnishings and she lied to everyone.
Marnie commented:
All of these arictles have saved me a lot of headaches.
Kalyn commented:
Super jazzed about getnitg that know-how.
Joyce N. Taves commented:
It is great to hear about the positive reaction of US companies with such investments in the country and also the reaction of dealers and consumers for Made in US products. You have a great country and will keep being because you are proud of it, although the crises that is much more politic than economic...
