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Furniture|Today -- 10/08/2001
Bedding Today
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Spring Air claims victory in "mattress challenge"
Spring Air President Jim Nation has never been one to shy away from tweaking the noses of his larger competitors, but his company's latest tweak more closely resembles a hard squeeze. The No. 4 producer recently declared itself the winner of the "mattress challenge," a series of blind tests similar to the Pepsi Challenge that bedeviled the soft drink industry a few years back.
Business News
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Bassett posts loss; sales drop 21.8%
Bassett, Va.— Full-line manufacturer/importer Bassett Furniture Inds. lost $2.8 million on sales of $71.3 million in its third quarter ended Aug. 25. Sales were down 21.8% from last year's third quarter, when Bassett netted $4.3 million. Year-to-date sales fell 18.3% to $227.6 million, and the loss was $1.
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Flexsteel's sales dip 5.1% for year, earnings off 61.5%
Dubuque, Iowa— Upholstery manufacturer Flexsteel said sales in its fiscal year ended June 30 were $284.8 million, down 5.1% from last year's $300.1 million. Earnings for the year dropped 61.5% to $4.6 million, compared with $11.9 million a year ago. The previous year's net income included a $1.
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Hooker's third-quarter sales down 17.8%
Martinsville, Va.— Case goods, occasional and home office manufacturer and importer Hooker Furniture reported a 17.8% drop in third-quarter sales to $50.6 million. Net income for the three months ended Aug. 31 plunged 96% to $167,000 compared to $4.1 million in last year's comparable quarter. Year to date, sales of $162.
Insider's View
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Home, family have new importance in our lives
I am writing this on a flight back from an NHFA Ohio chapter meeting. It was great seeing many positive retailers and reps, and I want to pass along some thoughts. Except for the week of Sept. 11, most furniture retailers and manufacturers have been encouraged by sales. While far from record levels, sales have been better than expected.
News
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Stanley helps furnish triad McDonald house
Winston-Salem, N.C.— Thanks to Stanley Furniture, a bedroom at the Ronald McDonald House here has a fresh, new look. The bedroom, one of 17 in the house, has been furnished with Stanley's Contentment collection from its Young America line. The donation included a set of bunk beds, a queen bed, a dresser, a chest of drawers and two bedside tables.
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Samuel Lawrence implements SAP system
Phoenix— Samuel Lawrence joined an elite group of companies when it flipped the switch on a SAP enterprise resource planning system, a project that took eight months to implement. Thomasville, Century and Valdese Weavers are others on the short list of industry companies that have switched to SAP.
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Rug vendors foresee traffic dip at N.Y. show
New York— Rug vendors are taking the cancellation of the Javits Center portion of the New York Home Textiles Market in stride. For the most part, they will be showing in permanent spaces at 295 Fifth Ave. from Oct. 15 to 19. It may not be business as usual, but they say they'll show new lines and write orders.
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Metal bed source Carolina Furnitureworks to debut
Hickory, N.C.— A new manufacturer of upscale metal beds and occasional tables, led by industry veteran David Hunsicker, will debut at the High Point market this month. Carolina Furnitureworks plans to ship initial orders early in the first quarter of 2002. Hunsicker, the company's president, said several North Carolina-based furniture designers created the looks of the bed and table intro...
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Thunderbird returning to High Point
Scottsdale, Ariz.— Thunderbird Furniture here is returning to the High Point market in a permanent showroom. The maker of adult and youth bedroom in alder and oak will exhibit this month in space 609 of Furniture Plaza. The move allows the company to better serve customers in the East and Midwest, said John Payne, sales manager.
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AICO doubles H.P. showroom
High Point— Bedroom and dining room importer Amini Innovation Corp., or AICO, will double the size of its High Point market showroom to over 10,000 square feet in space G777 of the International Home Furnishing Center. "The new showroom reflects our record sales growth over the past year, plus our expansion into top-of-the-line merchandise," said Michael Amini, president and chief executi...
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Lane pulls plug in Virginia, aims to grow import lines
Altavista, Va.— At the Lane plants here, the last lathe has turned and the paint booth compressors have been turned off. As production winds down, The Lane Co. is doing what a lot of wood producers already have done — pulling the plug on domestic manufacturing and becoming a marketer. The remaking of Lane, with the closing of factories here and in nearby Rocky Mount and the moving o...
- Obituaries
Peter Glen, speaker, author
Cloverdale, Calif.— Peter Glen, the energetic advocate of customer service who entertained and cajoled audiences at many industry events, died here last week. He was 62. A spokesman for Glen's company said he was found in his home and was believed to have died of natural causes. Glen began to work in retail while attending high school in Michigan, and after college returned to run his fam...
- Obituaries
Herbert Haimsohn, retailer
San Diego— Herbert Haimsohn, who worked in his family's retail business, Modern Furniture Co., the predecessor of Lawrance Contemporary Home Furnishings, has died. He was 79. Haimsohn ran Modern Furniture, founded in 1937 by his father, Herman, in the 1940s and '50s. He left in 1954 and became a pioneer in home center retailing.
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Lane names Ray Allori to new distribution post
TUPELO, Miss. — Ray Allori has been named dedicated distribution manager, a new position at Lane Furniture Inds. Allori will be responsible for the continued growth and execution of the current programs in 300 Comfort Showcase and Comfort Furnishings galleries and will be part of Lane's longer term-strategies with dedicated distribution, said David Coke, vice president of business develop...
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Modus boosts plant capacity
Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.— Case goods maker Modus Furniture International has added a second line and a third flat-line finishing system to the plant it owns in Indonesia. The added capacity went on line in July. "We've always invested in the plant, but now it's machinery, production systems and the type of capacity necessary for growing in the U.
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Richter to celebrate opening of new HP building Oct. 19
High Point— Richter Furniture will welcome guests to its new showroom building here during a gala opening at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19. The 8,000-square-foot facility is located at the corner of Main and Kivett in downtown High Point. It has a three-floor showroom with vignettes of leather and upholstered pieces.
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British Century to introduce 'mini-gallery'
High Point— British Century Designs, a distributor of English antique reproduction case goods and accents, will unveil a new showroom and a "mini-gallery" program for retailers at the October market. The company is relocating to a permanent space in the British Pavilion, space 2-219 at the new Plaza Suites on Main building.
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Nichols & Stone moves showroom
High Point— Nichols & Stone has moved its showroom to the Hamilton-Wrenn complex, 310 Hamilton Court, across the street from Baker Furniture. The new showroom is a two story, 12,000-square-foot location vacated by John Widdicomb. "We looked at several locations for over a year," said Tuck Nichols, president and chief executive officer of Nichols & Stone.
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Joan completes sale of division
Tyngsboro, Mass.— Joan Fabrics has completed the sale of its automotive fabric business to Collins & Aikman for $165 million in cash and stock. The automotive division includes the operating assets of Western Avenue Dyers, Joan's affiliated yarn-dying business. Joan said it had automotive fabric revenues of $265 million last year, and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and ...
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YHFE to launch Web site with job locator function
High Point— The Young Home Furnishings Executives group will launch its new Web site during the furniture market here this month. Located at www.YHFE.org, the new site will have a career center and provide information about the organization, the industry and upcoming events. The job locator function of the career center will be accessible to both YHFE members and non-members.
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WithIt plans series of October market events
High Point— Women in the Home Industries Today, or WithIt, will host several events during the October market. The following events are open to members, prospective members and guests: For more information, call the WithIt office in High Point, (336) 884-1122.
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Banker will assess economy
High Point— Timothy Martin of Bank of America will discuss the 2002 economic outlook at the National Home Furnishings Assn.'s Retailer Resource Center from 5 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 17. Martin is senior vice president and senior economist with the bank. He will present a detailed look at the economic outlook, including the impact of recent events on consumer spending, expectations fo...
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Chadwick will speak at Sunday service
High Point— Michael Dean Chadwick, a real estate executive from Raleigh, N.C., will speak at the Furniture Fellowship's Sunday morning worship service at market. The service will be in the High Point Theater, adjacent to the International Home Furnishings Center by the Commerce Street entrance, from 7 a.
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Karel sets 2002 holiday show in N.J.
Aventura, Fla.— To help boost holiday sales of furniture and accessories next year, Karel Exposition Management here has set a new Holiday Edison Furniture & Accessory Show for Nov. 10-12, 2002, at the New Jersey Convention Center in Edison, N.J. "Our new show is designed to serve thousands of East Coast buyers who need last-minute merchandise during the prime holiday selling period, ...
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Primo Designs gears up for 1st High Point show
High Point— Hayward, Calif.-based case goods and occasional importer Primo Designs has opened an East Coast distribution center and marketing headquarters here and will make its High Point market debut this month. The high-cube distribution center and offices, at 921 Inlet Ave., will service Eastern customers that utilize High Point-based furniture carriers, and will tap a local pool of e...
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Gautier boosting market showroom 50% at 220 Elm
High Point— Gautier USA will increase its space at the October market by about 50% with a new 6,000-square-foot showroom in the 220 Elm building. The company, a subsidiary of Europe's fourth-largest furniture manufacturer, will show a broad selection of products in designs featuring sleek lines and a European contemporary look.
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IFM joining parent Standard on 7th floor of IHFC's Main
High Point— International Furniture Marketing, the direct container division of case goods and occasional manufacturer and importer Standard Furniture, will join its parent on the seventh floor of the Main building of the International Home Furnishings Center. For the October market, IFM will have 8,000 square feet in space M715, the former Athens space.
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Glider rocker specialist Crinar making High Point market debut
High Point— Glider rocker specialist Crinar of St-Romuald, Quebec, will be showing in High Point for the first time on the second floor of the Profit Center. President Christian Chouinard said the company has been doing business with several U.S. retailers for the past couple of years, and quietly building a sales force to service them.
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Wade brings French lines to market
High Point— Wade Furniture, a resource for English reproduction case goods, will introduce at the October market solid-wood case goods from French manufacturers Nouvelle Societe Meubles Sourisseau and Nouvelle Societe Baudin Dixneuf. Wade is the exclusive U.S. distributor for the furniture, which includes a full case goods offering.
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No-minimum orders set at John Thomas
Thomasville, N.C.— Whitewood Inds. will offer retailers the option of placing no-minimum orders for its John Thomas line of design-oriented casual dining, even if it means "onesies." "More and more manufacturers are selling only to those willing to buy in container quantities," said Davis Beaston, vice president of Whitewood's John Thomas Division.
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Studio 99 moves to larger space
High Point— Case goods maker Studio 99 has moved its market showroom to the Sharut Building at 305 S. Hamilton St., between Greene and Russell. It is double the square footage of the company's previous space in the 220 Elm St. building. The showroom will be open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily during market and will serve breakfast, lunch and cocktails.
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Drexel to debut two Lillian August eclectic bedrooms
High Point— The Lillian August Collection, produced by Drexel Heritage, will add two eclectic bedrooms at the October market in English country and 18th century French styles. Designer August said she drew inspiration for the groups, English Country House and The Chateau, from historic country residences of England and France.
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AVB/BrandSource convention views new TV ads
Orlando, Fla.— More than 1,500 members of AVB/BrandSource rocked with the Beach Boys at a private concert wrapping up the buying group's three-day annual convention here. Delivering an energetic keynote address was former Olympic gymnast Mary Lou Retton, who spoke about the similarities between achieving success in business and athletics.
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Hurtado completes high-tech facility
Valencia, Spain— High-end Spanish case goods and upholstery manufacturer Hurtado has completed a 200,000-square-foot, high-tech plant and warehouse here. The company expects the additional capacity to lead to faster turnarounds, higher production and the ability to expand distribution quickly. Next year the company will move its offices and showroom to the building, which encompasses 300,...
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SHFA honors Willis and family with area at Virginia Beach park
High Point— The Southern Home Furnishings Assn. plans to honor the man and the family who have honored so many Southern furniture retailers with the Willis Award of Merit in the past 50 years. SHFA has arranged with the Parks and Recreations Department of Virginia Beach, Va., to have a seating area established in honor of Ben Willis and the Willis family of Virginia Beach at Kids Cove in ...
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Krause's options fade
Brea, Calif.— It looks like the end is near for Krause's Furniture and its sister company Castro Convertibles. Liquidator Buxbaum Group was preparing last week for a second phase of liquidation sales after the failure of two bids to acquire certain stores and Krause's upholstery factory as a going concern.
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Exhibitors wonder if buyers will show
High Point— Showrooms and hallways are likely to be less crowded at this month's market, according to some exhibitors and association executives. Big retailers are expected to attend in force, but questions remain about independent retailers and international buyers. The sluggish economy, and a reluctance to travel in the wake of the Sept.
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RER readies two brands for market
High Point— RER Furniture, a manufacturer of high-quality, solid-mahogany furniture based in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., will debut under two brand names at the October market. One brand, Broughton Hall Ltd., will show traditional English bedroom collections in space 1-559 of Plaza Suites. Styles include 18th century, campaign, Regency and Louis Philippe.
Opinion Today
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Seasons of market provide reassurance
Next week I'm going to be attending the market in High Point. There isn't the slightest uncertainty about that decision. It isn't even a decision as much as it is a bond. Those of us in the home furnishings industry are inextricably interwoven into the very fabric of market in High Point. Market is a seasonal, cyclical event for us.
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Let's tell consumers: Now's the time to buy!
You can bet your bottom dollar the October market will provide some very strong "values" for dealers. Sharply priced product will be welcomed by stores everywhere, who've noted that consumers are shopping harder and longer and spending less and less on furniture. You don't have to be the sharpest tool in the toolbox to know why: the sluggish economy, layoffs by the tens of thousands, and the te...
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Nobody wants self-imposed defeat
As things settle down after last month's terrorist attacks, retailers, especially those in furnitureland, continue to hold to their plans to attend the marathon home furnishings markets that are a hallmark of October. For many, the major challenge may well be simply getting to whichever of the markets are on their agendas for the month.
- Letters to the Editor
Letters to the editor
Alchemists are already out there As a former furniture industry outsider, Brian Carroll's column on the need for alchemists interested me ("Why we need alchemists in an unpredictable world," Aug 27, page 50). We do need more alchemists, but I believe many of them are already here. My view is that we need application of these human resources and good research.
People Today
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Diamond promotes two
Philadelphia— Two employees at six-store retailer Diamond Furniture here have been promoted. Debbie Myers has been named director of administration. She previously was the company's controller. She joined Diamond in 1994. Scott Stelweck was promoted to director of sales. He previously was a general manager, and joined Diamond in 1991.
- People on the Move
People on the Move
Executives Carpet One MANCHESTER, N.H. —Dean Marcarelli and Charlie Dilks have been appointed co-chief operating officers for floor covering retail chain Carpet One. Marcarelli has been senior vice president of marketing for the company, and Dilks has been president of Carpet One Canada. Both will continue in their current roles in addition to filling the newly created COO posts.
Store Openings
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BFD store opens in Illinois
Rockford, Ill.— A 15,500-square-foot Bassett Furniture Direct store has opened here. The chairman of the store is Dennis Roop, Dan Keegan is president and Scot Kanaly is vice president.
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HH Cupp expands gallery
Elkin, W.Va.— HH Cupp Furniture here has expanded its At Home with Bassett gallery from 5,500 to 11,000 square feet. It is the largest Bassett in-store gallery in West Virginia. Jamie and Phil Cupp own the store.
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Thomasville adds N.M. store
Albuquerque, N.M.— Thomasville Home Furnishings of Albuquerque has opened a 16,000-square-foot store on Carlisle Boulevard here, featuring the complete Thomasville line, plus lamps and accessories. Owner Brett Etz has over 14 years experience in the industry, including ownership of two full-line furniture stores in Arkansas and Utah.
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3 stores join Jennifer chain
Woodbury, N.Y.— Jennifer Convertibles has opened three Jennifer Convertibles/Jennifer Leather stores. They are in Ridgewood and Manhattan, N.Y. (Third Avenue at 14th Street), and in Indianapolis. Each store is about 3,000 square feet, and in an existing Jennifer market. Jennifer Convertibles is the owner and licensor of over 200 specialty sofa-sleeper and leather upholstery stores in the ...
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King store includes Justice gallery
Searcy, Ark.— King Furniture has opened a 10,000-square-foot store here, which incorporates a 750-square-foot Justice Bedding Gallery. Justice, which also makes upholstered furniture, is based in Lebanon, Mo.
Up Front
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Valencia furniture market plans to expand 40% by 2004
Valencia, Spain— Valencia's furniture fair plans to expand its space by 40% by 2004, taking it to 1.5 million square feet. "It is a necessity to be big and strong," said Enrique Perez Tortosa, new president of Fiera Internacional del Mueble Valencia, or FIM. In 2004, FIM plans to exhibit in nine of the 11 pavilions that will be open then.
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Temporaries back inside SFM in Jan.
San Francisco— Temporary exhibitors at the January furniture market here will be back inside the San Francisco Mart. After three markets across Market Street in the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, they'll be in a "Temps on 2" area on the second floor of the SFM's Mart 1 for the winter market, set for Jan.
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Lexington closing N.C. wood plant
Lexington, N.C.— Full-line manufacturer and importer Lexington Home Brands said it will close its case goods plant in Spruce Pine, N.C., a move it hopes will allow remaining factories to run at full capacity. Lexington will move production now done in Spruce Pine to plants in Davie and Davidson counties in North Carolina.
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Rosenberg is Levitz/Seaman's CEO; Grund leaving
Woodbury, N.Y.— Alan Rosenberg has been named president and chief executive officer of Levitz Home Furnishings, ending co-leadership of the 58-store Levitz chain. Ed Grund, who has been CEO of Levitz stores in the West, will leave the company Oct. 15. Rosenberg also is CEO of the 58-store Seaman's chain, and had headed Levitz's East Coast stores since Levitz emerged from bankruptcy early ...
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Industry continuing to aid Sept. 11 victims
High Point— The home furnishings community continues to open its heart and wallet to aid victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. In High Point, the International Home Furnishings Representatives Assn. is leading an effort to collect donations at market for two charities that aim to ease the financial burdens of families of the firefighters and police officers who lost their lives.
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Her car makes patriotic statement
Fort Myers, Fla.— Robb & Stucky employee Amanda Pelfrey recently put her artistic abilities to patriotic use. Her Volkswagen Fox was in need of a paint job. Instead of taking it to a body shop, Pelfrey, who is an artist, took up her brushes and painted the entire car as an American flag. Pelfrey is a half-time corporate receptionist and half-time Robb & Stucky Fort Myers store flo...
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Vegas tax rebate vote delayed third time
Las Vegas— The Las Vegas City Council's vote on tax breaks for the proposed World Market Center here has been delayed a third time as developers work to clear up technical issues. Jack Kashani and Shawn Samson, managing partners of the planned $750 million, 7.5 million-square-foot furniture market center, asked for the vote to be pulled from the agenda until the council's next meeting on ...
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Wolf sets 8th store in York
York, Pa.— Wolf Furniture will open a 60,000-square-foot store here in January, further penetrating the greater Harrisburg market as part of a larger expansion plan. The Pennsylvania and Maryland retailer is investing more than $3 million in the store — its eighth unit — converting a former Hechinger's building on Northern Way into a new showroom with furniture displayed large...
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Security letter draws mixed reaction
High Point— A letter to marketgoers explaining security measures planned for the upcoming furniture market has met a mixed reaction, according to Judy Mendenhall, president of the International Home Furnishings Market Authority. The letter, written by Mendenhall and sent last month to buyers and others planning to come to market, detailed the actions the Market Authority would take in the...
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Former owners buy back Aspen Furniture
Phoenix— Rick and Robert MacMillan have purchased all the assets of bankrupt manufacturer Aspen Furniture, buying back a company they sold to B.G. Affiliates, a Boston-based investor group, in November 1997. Aspen filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in August. The new company will be called Aspen Furniture Designs, and will continue to make home office, home entertainment and bedro...
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Ayers heads Spring Air L.A.
Des Plaines, Ill.— Longtime bedding industry executive Les Ayers, who left Simmons nearly two years ago during a management shakeup, has joined rival Spring Air as president of that company's Los Angeles facility. He will have bottom-line responsibility for all operations, sales and marketing aspects of the facility, officially known as Spring Air Partners-California.
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VanNoppen is VP of sales at newsletter specialist
New York— Industry veteran Allen VanNoppen has joined custom newsletter specialist Bailenson Communications as vice president of sales. He reports to Michael Bailenson, chief executive officer. VanNoppen has 13 years of sales and marketing experience in the furniture industry, the past seven years with full-line manufacturer Century, most recently as director of international and strategi...
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Knowlton joins King Koil
Hinsdale, Ill.— Former Serta executive Maury Knowlton has been named senior vice president and chief operating officer of King Koil USA, the U.S. arm of the bedding producer. He most recently was Serta's vice president and chief financial officer. He earlier served as chief administrative officer of National Bedding Co.
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