Furniture|Today 03/04/2002 Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Furniture|Today -- 03/04/2002

Bedding Today

White not always right in mattress ticking
A virtual "whiteout" continues to cover the mattress ticking landscape like a heavy blanket of snow. White ticking is prevalent in the better goods category. For variety, you can turn to … off-white or eggshell or cream. I must admit to being puzzled by the whitening of the mattress industry. This is one of the bigger changes I have encountered since returning to the bedding arena after a...

Business Today

Aaron revenues up, earnings down
ATLANTA — Aggressive expansion with a big acquisition of former Heilig-Meyers stores pushed Aaron Rents revenues up 8.7% last year but took a bite out of the bottom line. This year, the company said it will slow its expansion significantly to digest that growth and strengthen profitability as the newest of its 650-plus units mature.
Pier 1 boosts forecast
FORTH WORTH , Texas — Top 100 store chain Pier 1 Imports has boosted its earnings per share forecast to the range of 48 to 49 cents for its fourth fiscal quarter, ended March 2. Pier 1 said that recent analysts' consensus forecasts pegged its earnings at 45 cents per share. A year ago, fourth quarter earnings were 38 cents per share.
Amisco sales off 11.9% in '01
L'Islet, Quebec — Metal furniture maker Amisco reported sales of C$45.1 million in its fiscal year ended Nov. 30, down 11.9% from C$51.2 million the previous year. Net earnings were C$2.1 million, a drop of 46.2% from C$3.9 million a year earlier. About 65% of shipments are to U.S. retailers, and the company said it was hurt by the demise of HomeLife.
Dorel: Kmart won't derail growth
MONTREAL — The uncertain future of one of its largest customers won't affect Dorel Inds.' ability to grow its top and bottom lines this year, its president and chief executive officer told financial analysts. While Kmart didn't place any orders in January, Martin Schwartz said, "they came back with a vengeance in February.

Insider's View

Tupelo deserves credit for all its contributions
My face hurts from smiling, my appetite has been satisfied with good fried chicken, barbecue, catfish and a grand dessert called butter bread, and my hand has nearly been shaken off by good friends. You know the story: I just spent a few days at the Tupelo Market. Please understand that I attempt to be market-neutral, attending as many as I can.

News

Sout Cone works to preserve rainforest
LIMA, Peru — South Cone Trading Co. has launched a program designed to create economic and environmental sustainability for lumber resources and people in the Central Amazon forests. For its efforts, the company, which represents 75% of Peru's furniture exports, was recognized by the U.S. ambassador to Peru, John Hamilton, as a positive alternative to the coca production that fuels illic...
Helping society, environment part of company's mission
LIMA , Peru — For South Cone Trading, the new conservation and economic development initiative for the Amazon forest is just the latest in a series of "do the right thing" efforts. The 15-year-old company, which supplies higher-end furniture stores across North America, is already the first Peruvian company to receive chain-of-custody certification according to the principles of the Fores...
Taiwan co. to buy Master Design
ONTARIO, Calif.— Case goods supplier Master Design has found a buyer in Taiwanese conglomerate Test-Rite International, in a deal that will leave management on board and sever ties to its troubled former parent. A California court approved the sale of Master Design to Taipei-based Test-Rite last week and the deal was expected to close this week, said Gene Hodges, Master Design president ...
L.J. Miller files Ch. 7
PIKEVILLE, Ky. — L. J. Miller, a desk producer here, has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in federal court and plans to liquidate. The company, launched last year, is owned by Jim Cover and his wife, Stacee. The couple started the business after selling Montana Furniture, which they also founded, to an investment group in 1996.
Marshall Mattress patents spring production process
TORONTO — Marshall Mattress here has been granted a U.S. patent on the process it uses to construct its pocket spring bedding line. "Since 1900, when James Marshall was issued a Canadian patent for the design of the first pocket spring mattress construction, we have been working towards expanding the patent to include the total process," said Brad Warner, managing partner of Marshall Mat...
WithIt names Lyke first full-time director
HIGH POINT — WithIt has named Greensboro resident Sara Lyke as its first full-time executive director. Lyke comes to WithIt (Women in the Home Industries Today) with an extensive background in sales, management, strategic planning, information systems and financial analysis. Most recently, she operated a sales and consulting business from her home and previously was senior vice president ...
Macy's West shifts Nash out of furniture
SAN FRANCISCO — Greg Nash, previously over big-ticket goods including furniture, bedding and rugs at Macy's West, has moved to housewares as vice president and divisional merchandise manager. No successor has been named in the big-ticket area. Nash replaces Allex Gruman, who has left the store.
Ralph Lauren updates classics
NEW YORK — Celebrating his 35th anniversary, Ralph Lauren is looking back and updating some classics for Ralph Lauren Home this spring. Three new lifestyles represent divergent moods. Anglesey borrows from Lauren's early Thoroughbred lifestyle of manor house, rugged grandeur and furniture on a grand scale.
CFMA endorses FurnitureFan as Web services provider
ONTARIO , Calif. — The California Furniture Manufacturers Assn. has endorsed FurnitureFan to provide CFMA members with Web marketing services and site designs. Sudbury, Mass.-based FurnitureFan has already developed Web presences for CFMA members Oakwood Interiors and Sandberg Furniture, and it has another in the pipeline for Arbek Furniture.
Two sales executives leave FurnitureFan
SUDBURY , Mass. — FurnitureFan has parted ways with two of its sales executives, including Austin Sass, formerly vice president of sales. Sass ended 18 months with the Web marketing services company over differences in how FurnitureFan should be led and managed, according to Mitch Russo, chief executive officer.
HOM, Spring Air donate to Sept. 11 charity
COON RAPIDS , Minn. — HOM Furniture and Spring Air donated $44,000 to a charity supporting victims of the Sept. 11 tragedies, capping a month-long promotion that resulted in record bedding sales for the retailer. For a month last fall, HOM and its largest bedding supplier pledged 10% of Spring Air bedding sales, splitting the donation to the United Way's September 11th Fund.
Court OKs Wickes deal
WHEELING , Ill.— A private equity group plans to buy Top 100 company Wickes in a deal that should keep the retailer's management team involved in the operation. Crain's Chicago Business reported that Bruckmann, Rosser, Sherrill & Co. would pay about $75.6 million under the deal, including $31.
Buyers, orders abound in Tupelo
TUPELO , Miss.— Busy showrooms, crowded halls and overflowing parking lots were the rule at the winter Tupelo Furniture Market, which concluded last week. A record 35,000 furniture buyers and sellers attended, up 9% from the previous high, said market organizers. Exhibitors said order writing was heavy from the opening bell as retailers sought to restock inventories depleted by a recent ...
GERS users to meet in August
SAN DIEGO — Retail software solutions provider GERS Retail Systems will hold its 20th annual user conference, Retail World 2002, at the Westin Horton Plaza here Aug. 19-22. New to the conference will be "Users' Choice" sessions, created in response to suggestions from GERS customers. All sessions, workshops, and seminars will tie in to the theme "Turning Technology into Results" and will ...
Mathis Brothers celebrates opening of Tulsa superstore
TULSA , Okla. — Some 700 industry suppliers, community leaders, preferred customers and other guests gathered for live music, refreshments and an early look at Mathis Brothers Furniture's new 205,000-square-foot superstore and warehouse here. The Top 100 retailer said the store has exceeded expectations with its wide selection of midpriced to high-end goods, displayed by category and life...
Stanley promotes Smith, Sitler
STANLEYTOWN , Va. — Case goods major Stanley has promoted two executives to newly created positions in manufacturing and operations, partly to help manage the blend of imported products and components with domestically produced goods. Bob Smith, formerly vice president of supply management and a 25-year Stanley veteran, has been named senior vice president of operations.
Wolinski to head La-Z-Boy educ.
MONROE , Mich. — La-Z-Boy has hired Ron Wolinski as director of education and retail services, responsible for creating the company's product, sales and design related training and education programs. Wolinski replaces Tom Zollar, who was recently named managing director of La-Z-Boy Europe, and reports to Ken Salm, vice president of sales.
Sept. show in China already 90% leased
SHANGHAI — September's Furniture China 2002 show here already is close to fully leased in its permanent exhibitor space, according to organizers. China's largest furniture fair is 90% booked, even though more than six months remain before its Sept. 11-15 dates. In response to demand, the organizers say they will add temporary halls that will take the exhibition space to nearly a million ...
Seminar topic: competing with imports
GREENSBORO , N.C. — Lean Manufacturing, a one-day seminar focused on keeping U.S. furniture makers competitive, is set for March 13 here. Robert Edwards, retired director of the N.C. Manufacturing Extension Partnership at North Carolina State University, and consultant Lee Houston, a former furniture manufacturing executive, will present the program, repeating a seminar held last December.
DuPont, Ciba to market, develop new products
WILMINGTON , Del. — DuPont's new subsidiary, DuPont Textiles and Interiors (DTI), and Ciba Specialty Chemicals have agreed to jointly develop and market offerings for DTI brands, which include DuPont Teflon fabric protector and DuPont Stainmaster. Steve McCracken, group vice president of DTI, said the alliance will help DuPont "meet our vision of meeting consumer needs and strengthen the ...
Fortune Brands to produce Thomasville cabinetry
LINCOLNSHIRE , Ill. — MasterBrand Cabinets has taken over production of household cabinetry under the Thomasville brand for Home Depot's 1,200 stores. Previously, Masco Corp.'s Mill's Pride division made the Thomasville product. Now, Mill's Pride will concentrate on an expanded offering of its Premier line of kitchen and bathroom cabinetry for Home Depot.
Ikea hires Miami agency for $40-50M ad campaign
PLYMOUTH MEETING , Pa.— Swedish home furnishing giant Ikea North America has hired Miami-based Crispin Porter + Bogusky to handle its $40 million to $50 million advertising campaign as it embarks on its most aggressive expansion strategy to date. Last summer, Ikea said it wanted to open 50 North American stores over 10 years — five a year beginning in 2003 — which would give t...
La-Z-Boy Canada set to add 7 stores
WATERLOO , Ontario — La-Z-Boy Canada is set to add at least seven freestanding, dealer-owned stores this year, bringing the total to 21. Mark Wiltshire, vice president of sales and marketing, said all will be based on the "Store of Tomorrow" concept introduced last year by La-Z-Boy Canada's Monroe, Mich.
Design groups ASID, IIDA consider merging
WASHINGTON , D.C. — The American Society of Interior Designers and the International Interior Design Assn. are considering combining both associations into one interior design organization. Each organization's board appointed representatives to a committee to identify key issues and make recommendations as to whether more formal discussions should be pursued.

Opinion Today

Here's to little things that pay big dividends
Have you ever thought about what kind of talent statistic pops out the loudest on a resume although it's not in capitals or color? Well, I don't know if the General Accounting Office of our federal government even has a line for such itty bitty stuff, but I do know it wouldn't hurt if it did. What kind of stuff, Michael, you ask? Little stuff that can make big impressions.
Kmart's woes led me down a discount memory lane
Oh, I know it's only Kmart, so who cares? Well, in a strange, inexplicable way, I do. I was sad when I heard that Kmart had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. I compared it to Old Glory and apple pie — part of the American fabric. No, not because I'm a Martha fan. On the contrary. I read her unauthorized biography, "Just Desserts," just for laughs.
Famous names offer no guarantee
From the sounds of things prior to April market, it's beginning to feel as though High Point will be one huge licensed product arena. What appears to be happening is that licensors, or the guiding spirits who create the properties, see furnitureland's image problems with consumers as offering a ripe market for their names.

People Today

Palliser taps Nussbaum as Thailand operations GM
WINNIPEG , Manitoba — Palliser Furniture has named Dan Nussbaum general manager of operations in Thailand, responsible for developing supplier relationships and managing the supply chain in Southeast Asia. He worked for Palliser from 1995 to 1998 and helped develop leather upholstery manufacturing in Mexico.
Eau Claire Mattress names Coffield to operations post
EAU CLAIRE , Wis. — Manufacturer and retailer Eau Claire Mattress has completed a management restructuring with the naming of Mike Coffield as vice president of wholesale operations. He has extensive experience in retail/wholesale furniture and bedding sales, most recently with Berkline. Last year, Eau Claire Mattress delegated the responsibilities of president to a team of vice presidents.
Pa. House promotes Furman
GREENSBORO , N.C. — Ron Furman has been promoted to the new position of vice president of marketing at manufacturer Pennsylvania House. He had been director of advertising and marketing since joining the company, a La-Z-Boy unit, in 1999. "In the nearly three years Ron has been with Pennsylvania House, he has made a major contribution to our company's growth," said President Tom Tilley.
People on the Move
People on the Move
Contact Us Retailers, manufacturers, suppliers and trade associations are invited to send releases and photographs for appointments, promotions and awards to: People/Today, P.O. Box 2754, High Point, N.C., 27261. Releases also can be faxed to (336) 605-1143. Please include a phone number.

Special Report

Market Report
Retailers get taste of Kathy Ireland Home
TUPELO , Miss. — Retailers got a first look at Kathy Ireland Home here, with Standard showing one adult bedroom group and two youth groups from the licensed collection and Style-Line releasing details about its upcoming upholstered product. Both companies will introduce more product from the licensed collection at the High Point premarket this month and market in April.
Market Report
Youth bedroom generates sales
TUPELO , Miss. — Strong traffic at the Tupelo Furniture Market led to good sales in youth furniture, manufacturers said. At Good Cos., the hot youth products were those with a feminine touch. Good returned to Tupelo after a one-market absence and set sales marks for the show, said David Preuss, executive vice president of marketing and sales.
Market Report
Motion manufacturers add shifts to fill orders
TUPELO , Miss. — While some in the industry focus on retail bankruptcies and factory downtime, motion upholstery producers have had little time to dwell on such negative events. They've been too busy scheduling overtime, ordering raw materials, and making sure the recent influx of orders can be filled in a reasonable amount of time.
Market Report
Leather's appeal still growing
TUPELO , Miss. — Tupelo continued to show its strength as a destination for leather upholstery, and not only at promotional price points. The market has moved well beyond the leather/vinyl standbys and now boasts full leather looks from both longtime exhibitors and companies new to Tupelo. First timers here included Campbell Leather Sales, a North Carolina-based distributor of Italian se...
Market Report
United offers leather sofas, recliners
TUPELO , Miss. — Upholstery producer United's recently launched leather program generated significant orders at the market here, said Hugh Hargett, the company's sales manager. The program features all-leather and leather-match stationary sofas, as well as leather-match recliners. It began shipping early last month.
Market Report
Buyer Appreciation Award goes to Ivan Smith Jr.
TUPELO, Miss. — Ivan Smith Jr., president of Ivan Smith Furniture, Shreveport, La., was honored with the Tupelo market's National Buyer Appreciation Award. Founded by his father, the late Ivan Smith Sr., in 1961, the company operates 38 stores in 32 locations across Louisiana, Arkansas and Texas.
Market Report
Wood broadens appeal
TUPELO , Miss.— The Tupelo Furniture Market has long been known for its strong offering of promotionally priced case goods, but better price points were flourishing this time. "Maybe manufacturers are underestimating the price ceiling (at the Tupelo market)," said Larry Rinaldi, vice president of sales and marketing for Amini Innovation Corp.
Market Report
Upholstery dealers stock up
TUPELO , Miss. — For many upholstery retailers, the Tupelo market proved to be timely. "Dealers are out of merchandise," said Danny Dempsey president of upholstery producer Life Style. "They are looking for salable items — something that is a proven perceived value." To that end, Life Style and such other upholstery manufacturers as Style-Line, Smith and Ashley, took the opportunity...
Leather powers continue to thrive
HIGH POINT — Despite a somewhat bumpy economic ride this past year, manufacturers of stationary leather seating have managed to circumvent the potholes. As the category continues to thrive, several stationary frame manufacturers have managed to rise above the rutted plain. Many leather producers have held steady in the face of pendulum-like swings resulting from temperamental hide pricin...
Ashley: Shopping savvy
Leather continues to fuel the growth of Ashley's Millennium division, characterized as an aggressive producer with sharp pricing strategies. December proved a banner month for the division in terms of double-digit upholstery sales (leather and fabric), according to Kerry Lebensburger, president of the upholstery side.
DeCoro: Value provider
Incorporating Italian hides with Chinese labor, DeCoro has aligned itself with consumer value. The five-year-old Italian-owned company received a boost with the June 2000 hiring of Jeff Baron, former president of Natuzzi Americas. Nearly two years into the job, he has proved a formidable player on the leather field.
LeatherTrend: Mexican model
Nearly a decade before DeCoro's entrée into China, LeatherTrend, similarly, made its way into Mexico. There, the San Diego-based owners, British-born brothers Noel Robinson and Peter Robinson, have also capitalized on a less costly yet plentiful labor pool. The Mexican address also proved appealing because the government allows foreign-owned manufacturers to import raw materials, component...
Chateau d'Ax: Interpreting fashion, style
Chateau d'Ax, favored for its stylish contemporary designs, has become a high-end department store staple. "It's not a question of staying ahead," contends Harry Cierler, director of North American operations. "It's a question of being ahead of the styles. We continue to push the envelope. We look at fashion trends in apparel and in cloth upholstery and interpret it as we see it.
Klaussner: Cementing by segmenting
As a domestic leather manufacturer, Klaussner is ratcheting up its leather program in order to compete with imports from Italy, South America and China. Klaussner offers three distinct categories of leather, separated not only by pricing but also by manufacturing sites. "Everybody — retailers and manufacturers — is getting into the leather business," said Chuck Welch, leather produ...
Natuzzi: Global goliath
Natuzzi, churning out a daily total output of an estimated 14,000 seats, is seemingly untouchable as a worldwide upholstery producer. The company recorded U.S. sales of $297 million for 2000, based on 1,225,800 seats sold. Natuzzi, thriving on an international scale, operates five production facilities in Italy.
Nicoletti: On its toes
Nicoletti, often mired in Natuzzi's shadow because its headquarters are located in the same part of southern Italy, has attempted to set itself apart through detail-oriented contemporary styling. While the bulk of Nicoletti's leather largesse derives from sales in Europe and Australia, the company stands on the threshold of change.

Store Openings

2 add Norwalk home fashion centers
NORWALK, Ohio — Two Norwalk Furniture retailers have unveiled Your Home Fashion Centers in their stores. Frontier Trading Co., located in Clear Lake, Iowa, has installed a 2,500-square-foot display inside of its 8,000-square-foot location. Amish Haus Furniture, located in Davenport, Iowa, has implemented a 4,000-square-foot display inside of their 18,350-square-foot location.
MSO debuts 2nd unit in N.J.
WAYNE, N.J. —Manufactures Surplus Outlet has opened its second store in New Jersey. The 60,000-square-foot venue includes many galleries such as Flexsteel, Clayton Marcus, Kimball, Bermax, Keller and Cochrane. The first MSO Furniture store, located in Fairfield, is 50,000-square-feet and includes a Rowe and Broyhill gallery.
Sleep shop opens in Wis.
MADISON, Wis. —America's Mattress, a sleep shop selling Serta product exclusively, has opened here. The 2,500-square-foot store is owned by Tim Taylor, Sandy Taylor, Eric Myhre and Katie Myhre. The four also own Waunakee Furniture Etc & Gift Gallery, a 14,000-square-foot store in a suburb north of Madison.
Colder's unveils new location
DELAFIELD, WI —Colder's Furniture, a retailer in the Milwaukee area for the past 60 years, recently celebrated the grand opening of a new location here. The 75,000-square-foot Colder's Lake Country store also features a 4,500-square-foot Pennsylvania House gallery. Grand opening festivities included special savings at all three Colder's locations.

Supplement

Bedding Today
If you could change one thing in the bedding industry, what would it be?
A "The bedding industry, unfortunately, does not enjoy the image and reputation with the consumer that it deserves. Given the relative value that the consumer receives and the high satisfaction that retailers have with the products, the industry should have a better image. The products being sold today for the same retail prices as 10 to 15 years ago are far superior.
Bedding Today
Welcome to your future!
This is a big month for bedding professionals from around the world, with two major shows on tap in this country. That's one of the reasons we're serving up this big presentation on key bedding issues. The report you are now holding makes a powerful statement, we hope, about the rich opportunities in the wide world of bedding.
Bedding Today
Serta adds fun in Web relaunch
Itasca, Ill. — Bedding major Serta is not "sheep-ish" about its redesigned Web site. Its trademark Counting Sheep, which star in its national advertising and perform a variety of other marketing duties, play a fun, supporting role on the revamped site, www.serta.com.Counting Sheep No. 1 pickets the home page, walking back and forth across the top of the page while picket signs pop into v...
Bedding Today
Spring Air licenses pads, etc.
Chicago —Bedding major Spring Air has licensed a North Carolina-based textile company to produce a line of Spring Air branded mattress pads, bed pillows and throws. Perfect Fit Inds. is nationally marketing those products using a variety of Spring Air trade names, including the Spring Air Collection, the Comfort Caress Collection and the Four Seasons Collection.
Bedding Today
Bemco offering dealers year of ads
Chicago — Bemco Associates has a year's worth of ideas for bedding newspaper ads and has put them all on a CD for its dealers. The CD-ROM-based ad kits come with a presentation folder and offer 12 ads in color or black and white. The ads can also be used as pre-printed newspaper inserts and are designed for customization with dealers' names and pricing information.
Bedding Today
Restonic rolls out gallery program
Chicago —Restonic is rolling out a new gallery program to give its dealers additional merchandising firepower. The Restonic Gallery helps retailers create more effective and profitable bedding showrooms by setting up a warm, inviting environment for consumers to shop for mattresses, the producer says.
Bedding Today
Consumer scorecard
High Point — Consumers really are king. There's a growing realization of that fact in the bedding industry. Savvy producers are increasingly turning to consumer research to design sleep products that meet the wants and needs of today's consumers. Retailers, too, are finding that it's good business to focus on consumers.
Bedding Today
From waterbeds to full-line powerhouse
Two lonely waterbeds in the vast bedding assortment at the newest City Furniture store in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., tell a fascinating story. Waterbeds launched the intertwined retail careers of Kevin and Keith Koenig, brothers who built their fledgling Waterbed City retail chain into a South Florida powerhouse in the 1970s and 1980s.
Bedding Today
What makes City so good?
City Furniture became one of the top furniture retailers in the country because of the unique partnership between Kevin and Keith Koenig. While Kevin concentrated on building an outstanding infrastructure, Keith focused on creating effective advertising, marketing and merchandising programs that are perfectly geared to consumers in south Florida.
Bedding Today
City's bedding business at a glance
Bedding Today
What is your outlook for business this year, and what will you be doing to spark sales?
Customer focused After the instability in the marketplace brought on by the Sept. 11 attack, business now appears stronger than ever as consumers are spending again — at least when it comes to purchases for the home. There's been much talk of "nesting instincts" in times of instability, and the entire bedding industry appears to be reaping the benefits.
Bedding Today
60 nations gathering for Expo
Denver — Bedding producers and suppliers from more than 60 countries will gather here this month for the International Sleep Products Assn.'s 2002 Expo. The biennial convention and trade show is expected to draw about 1,800 attendees.More than 175 exhibitors will be on hand, showcasing almost every conceivable product related to the mattress industry.
Bedding Today
BSC: It's OK to go to sleep
Alexandria, Va. — The Better Sleep Council, the consumer education arm of the mattress industry, has a simple-sounding but powerful message for consumers: It's OK to go to sleep.Analyzing the results of extensive consumer research it has conducted, the BSC found that some consumers view sleep as "non-productive downtime," said Gerry Borreggine, the bedding retailer who serves as president...
Bedding Today
8 reasons retailers should consider futons
Editor's Note: Paul Sullivan is executive vice president of United Sleep Products, which produces Simmons Futons. We asked him why retailers should carry futons. Here's what he said:
Bedding Today
Specialty sleep keys on solid sales, opportunities
High Point —In the good old days it was waterbeds, strobe lights and love beads. Today it's solid margins, a growing category and plenty of opportunities for retailers. And, while waterbeds are still around, they are just one part of the specialty sleep products category, which also encompasses latex beds, foam beds, airbeds and adjustable beds.

Up Front

JCPenney revamps catalog
PLANO , Texas — A more coordinated presentation, more home furnishings, and fewer but more-open pages highlight the radically revamped JCPenney catalog. The catalog, troubled for a number of years, now is under the direction of John Irvin, former chief executive officer of Spiegel catalog. Penney's new edition is lifestyle driven, especially in home — which accounts for 56% of the ...
Industry panel focuses on service as key to competing with imports
GREENSBORO , N.C. — To remain competitive in the face of increasing imports, domestic manufacturers will have to leverage more than operational excellence, and service will remain perhaps the key point of differentiation. These conclusions and others were reached by a pan-industry panel discussion here at the Carolinas Industrial Woodworking Expo, co-sponsored by the Wood Component Manuf...
Trillium competition renamed, updated
Mississauga, Ontario — The Trillium Awards competition will see several changes this year in an effort to bolster support from the Canadian furniture industry. Most noticeable will be a name change. While the trophy will still be called the Trillium, the program will be renamed the Canadian Home Furnishings Award.
McKinnon-Land venture offers FR textile products
CHARLOTTE , N.C. — Two fabric veterans have formed a company to market new textile products they say are inherently flame resistant and can meet or surpass government requirements. Bob McKinnon, most recently president of Joan Fabrics, and Frank Land, president of Land Fabrics, call the venture McKinnon-Land LLC.
Lang leaves Mattress Giant
DALLAS — Phil Lang has resigned as president and chief executive officer of Mattress Giant, one of the nation's largest bedding specialty retailers. William K. Snyder of Corporate Revitalization Partners, a Dallas-based management consulting firm, will fill the role of interim chief operating officer, the company said.
Stanton gets capital infusion
TUALATIN , Ore. — Upholstery producer Stanton International has received an infusion of capital via a partnership with Cornerstone Partners in New York. Mike Raine, chief executive officer, said the partnership "will strengthen Stanton's position in the marketplace and enable us to continue our current growth rate.
World Market Center signs 6 more tenants
LAS VEGAS — Developers of the planned World Market Center have released the names of six more tenants — all Western manufacturers, including one that plans to eventually pull out of the High Point and San Francisco markets. The tenants are Kushwood Mfg., taking about 15,500 square feet; Arbek, about 9,500 square feet; Aspen, 5,600; Creative Ideas, nearly 5,500; Orman Grubb, almost 5...
Gennett to discuss competition
MONTEBELLO , Calif. — Michael Gennett, president of the San Francisco Mart, will speak about competition for showroom tenants at a breakfast event here March 15, sponsored by the Home Furnishings Representatives Guild of Southern California. In a talk entitled "The Realities of Western Furniture Markets," Gennett will present the Mart's views on potential competition from the proposed Wor...
U.S. factory orders up 11%
HIGH POINT — U.S. residential furniture factories ended a rough year on a positive note in December, with new orders up 11% from December 2000, according to BDO Seidman. It was the first time in 16 months that orders were up from the comparable month a year earlier, the accounting and consulting firm said.
SoHo Today honors Hooker, R.C. Willey with new awards
GREENSBORO, N.C. — SoHo Today will honor manufacturer Hooker Furniture and Top 100 retailer R.C. Willey with the first Impact Awards at the third annual SoHo conference, March 21-22 at the Sheraton at Four Seasons Hotel here. The awards recognize leading industry players for their impact on the small office/home office segment in the past year.
R.C. Willey pursues 2nd Vegas store
LAS VEGAS — R.C. Willey Home Furnishings, which hit the ground running with its first store here last fall, will open a second area store next year in the fast-growing community of Summerlin, west of the city. The Salt Lake City-based powerhouse is acquiring about four acres at the Town Center Drive exit off of Interstate 215, where it will be a stand-alone anchor to the new South Square...

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