Top Stories

• Dorel reports record profits for third quarter
  
  Michael J. Knell, November 6, 2009

  MONTREAL — Consumer goods giant Dorel Inds. earned record profits of $30.2 million or 91 cents per diluted share for the period ending Sept. 30, 2009, although revenue fell 6.1% to $552.2 million.

  
  
• Brick Group Income Fund appoints two to board
  
  Michael Knell, November 6, 2009

  EDMONTON, Alberta — The Brick Group Income Fund has appointed Anthony Griffiths and John-Paul Geisbauer to its board of trustees.

  
  
• UPDATE: High Point to consider showroom district Nov. 16
  
  Heath E. Combs, November 6, 2009

  HIGH POINT — Several property holders here have expressed objections to a city showroom zoning district that leaves out several large showroom buildings.

  
  
• Veteran sales rep James P. Hicks dies at 66
  
  Furniture Today Staff, November 6, 2009

  WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Veteran sales representative James P. "Jim" Hicks has died following a battle with cancer. He was 66.

  
  
• New York IFDA chapter hosting program on ways to use social media
  
  Furniture Today Staff, November 6, 2009

  NEW YORK — The New York chapter of The International Furnishings and Design Assn. will host a program on Tuesday, Nov. 17, on ways to use social media sites to build a reputation and communicate with potential customers.

  
  
• Mike Harold joins Embassy International as VP
  
  Thomas Russell, November 5, 2009
  ROCKWALL, Texas — Promotionally priced bedroom source Embassy International has hired Mike Harold as vice president of merchandising, a new position.
  
• Todd Sessa named VP at Furniture Brands companies
  
  Thomas Russell, November 5, 2009
  HIGH POINT — Industry veteran Todd Sessa has been named vice president of merchandising and product development for Henredon, Maitland-Smith and LaBarge, three high-end labels of Furniture Brands International.
  
• Furniture Brands posts $23.5 million loss
  
  Larry Thomas, November 5, 2009
  ST. LOUIS — Furniture Brands International reported a third-quarter net loss of $23.5 million Wednesday as sales fell 28.9%.
  
• Decorize changes name to GuildMaster
  
  Heath E. Combs, November 5, 2009
  SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Home furnishings and accent supplier Decorize Inc. has recapitalized and has changed its name to GuildMaster Inc.
  
• Blu Dot follows its wayfaring chairs
  
  Gary James, November 5, 2009
    NEW YORK — Contemporary furniture specialist Blu Dot is placing 25 of its Real Good chairs around the New York City area, and they are free for the taking.
  
• Cost cuts help Havertys to $501,000 profit
  
  Clint Engel, November 5, 2009
  ATLANTA — Havertys posted a third-quarter profit of $501,000 or two cents per share, benefiting from cost cutting and a small improvement in gross margin despite the tough business climate.
  
• Missouri woman wins Flexsteel furniture in Wrangler Home sweepstakes
  
  Furniture Today Staff, November 4, 2009
  LIBERTY, Mo. — A Missouri woman has won a set of Flexsteel living room furniture in this summer's Wrangler Home sweepstakes.
  
• Retired Virginia retailer Ellison Lee Grimsley dies
  
  Tanya K. Merritte, November 4, 2009
  ANNANDALE, Va. — Ellison Lee Grimsley, who co-owned a furniture store in this area for more than 30 years, has died of bladder cancer. He was 85.
  
• Mark Parris joins Parker House Furniture
  
  Thomas Russell, November 4, 2009
  ONTARIO, Calif. — Parker House Furniture has named Mark Parris as vice president of sales and marketing for its Parker Living leather upholstery division, a new position at the company.
  
• Jim Nation named president of Five Star Mattress
  
  Larry Thomas, November 4, 2009
  HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Jim Nation, the former Spring Air president who joined Serta International last year, has been named president of Five Star Mattress, a mattress producer also owned by Serta's parent company.
  
• Decorize posts first full-year profit
  
  Heath E. Combs, November 4, 2009
  SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Home furnishings and accessories supplier Decorize, which does business under the Guildmaster brand, has reported its first full-year profit in company history.
  
• Wesley Allen supports pancreatic cancer research
  
  Thomas Russell, November 4, 2009
  LOS ANGELES — Metal beds manufacturer Wesley Allen is helping raise awareness of pancreatic cancer during November.
  
• Aaron's Inc. raises quarterly stock dividend by nearly 6%
  
  Furniture Today Staff, November 4, 2009
  ATLANTA — Rent-to-own giant Aaron's Inc. has raised its quarterly stock dividend by 5.9%, to 18 cents per share from 17 cents.
  
• Fairfax expands into bedroom, casual dining furniture
  
  Thomas Russell, November 4, 2009
    GREENSBORO, N.C. — Fairfax Home Furnishings has expanded beyond accent and occasional furniture with the introduction of its first four bedroom suites and four casual dining sets at last month's High Point Market.
  
• High Point Market registrations down slightly from year ago
  
  Larry Thomas, November 4, 2009
  HIGH POINT — Registrations for last month's High Point Market were essentially even with the April market and only 1.4% below the October 2008 show, according to the High Point Market Authority.