Upholstery loses creative staff
The upholstery industry has lost part of its creativity.
In the last six months, companies have been cutting back and letting go of people known in the
industry for their ability to match fabrics to frames, who can decipher the difference between
purple and eggplant and tell which of the two was about to become popular.
These were the creative directors and the merchandise managers and the go-to folks who had a big
hand in getting product to the marketplace. They include Deitra Smith of Broyhill, Sandi Teague
of King Hickory, Ron Curlee of Highland House, Regenia Payne of Vanguard, Alice Stegall of C.R.
Laine, and April Welch with what was formerly Cochrane. And there are others.
Some may be back to work already, or are in consulting or are running new businesses.
What impact will their absence have on future products? Who is doing their jobs and are they as
good? We’ll have to see.
an anonymous product developer commented:
Unfortunately, when business is tough, the product is always to blame. This is a phenomenon I have experienced in many scenarios...and in many cases, it is not the problem. That said, it is an easy tangible to point a finger at, especially if you are a senior executive searching for reasons to justify the decline in sales.
This recent round of layoffs however, may partially be due to the above mentioned, but clearly is due to domestic manufacturers trying to find solutions to cut overhead and survive in today's down market. The hard truth is that too few leaders in our industry realize that without product... and REALLY GOOD PRODUCT... you will not compete!
At the end of the day, consumers need to be compelled to make a purchase that is not a necessity but a luxury in today's economy.
Too many retail buyers and manufacturers are underestimating the power of the emotional sale! In order to compel this consumer to purchase a luxury in a time where all signals are telling them not to spend, the product and the experience needs to appeal to their aspirations. Another brown chenille or bi-cast/suede sofa or sectional is probably not enough!
Let's hope our industry will emerge from these times with a mind-set that allows for more entrepreneurial leadership and more support for the creative team behind a brand!
John Bell commented:
Obviously these people weren't doing what their bosses wanted so they were terminated. Broyhill? The 5 stores in the DFW metroplex, where I live and work, just went out of business. According to a study by Epperson, the 35-44 year old age bracket is spending the most on furniture right now, and they don't want a bunch of color and design flair, they want an earth tone microfiber they can eat Doritos on and let their kids destroy so they can get a new sofa in 5 years.
victor pedraz commented:
This phenomena is unique to US manufacturers at this level. Their MO was never, and still is not about the artistic and design quality of the piece. Rather they are myopic and focus on profit and loss not realizing that good, well designed,color nuanced goods SELL and are very profitable. It is a waste of their stockholders money to allow their top executives to not see the forest for the trees.
Kathy Bryant commented:
Without creativity where is the vision in design. We must strive to bring a new market constantly and interpret the demands of our customers.
Phillip Holeman commented:
I believe the industry has been very short sighted when it comes to its creative talent. Success within the industry relies on innovation, creativity and the ability to implement product in a manner that meets current trends and future forecasting. It is too easy to say there is a lot of talent out there. In a time when you need to be the leader instead of the follower, veteran knowledge and experience is too valuable to just toss aside.
Tom Erdman commented:
What's going on reminds me of when a farmer has to burn his field to get it ready to plant again. This is an opportunity for these people, and this industry to renew themselves for the next period to grow. These talented people will emerge stronger, brighter and energized. It may be cliche, but it is always darkest before the dawn.
