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Furniture|Today -- 03/22/2004
Bedding Today
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Shorter warranties are good for everyone
We have a big problem in the mattress industry. The warranties on our products are too long. The 10-year warranties on many flagship lines should be shortened to something more in line with the warranties carried by other consumer products. Think about it. Cars have warranties for only three to five years.
Business Today
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Bombay 4Q profits drop; year's results strong
FORT WORTH, Texas— The Bombay Company reported a 12.3% drop in fourth-quarter profits and said its first-quarter loss will be larger than analysts projected as infrastructure investments and marketing and expansion costs put pressure on the bottom line. Net income for the 471-store home furnishings specialty retailer declined from $13.
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Bestway moves push 2Q revenues up 7.5%
DALLAS— Rent-to-own specialist Bestway posted a 7.5% increase in revenues in its second quarter while nearly quadrupling profits. Revenues for the quarter were $9.6 million, compared with $8.9 million in the same period last year. Net income grew to $159,208 from $42,619. The operating margin in the latest quarter increased by a full percentage point to 7.
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Cost Plus boosts sales 15.9%
OAKLAND, Calif.— Specialty retailer Cost Plus, ranked No. 29 on Furniture/Today's list of Top 100 furniture stores, posted a 15.9% sales increase in its fourth quarter as net income rose 5.7%. Same-store sales were up 3.1%. Sales in the quarter were $312.6 million, compared with $269.7 million a year ago.
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Rowe 1Q sales up 11% to $70.7M
MCLEAN, Va.— The Rowe Companies, parent of upholstery maker Rowe Furniture and retailer Storehouse, posted a sales increase of 11% in its first quarter. Net income for the quarter was $44,000, compared with $2,000 a year ago. Sales for the quarter ended Feb. 29 came to $70.7 million, compared with $63.
News
- Obituaries
Thomas O'Sullivan, O'Sullivan founder
LAMAR, Mo.— Thomas O'Sullivan, founder of O'Sullivan Inds. and a pioneer in the ready-to-assemble furniture industry, has died. He was 82. He founded his namesake company in Japan, Mo., in 1954 with six employees, and led the business until his retirement in 1986. During his tenure, annual sales grew to more than $100 million and the company moved to its current headquarters in Lamar.
- Obituaries
Worth Cox, retired sales executive
TRINITY, N.C.— Worth Cox, a retired fabric sales executive, has died. He was 72. Cox formerly owned Randolph Fabric Sales and was a member of the North Carolina Fabric Representatives Assn. Survivors are his wife, two sons, three grandchildren and brother. His son, Terry Cox, is a sales representative for Richloom Fabrics.
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Press tips available
HIGH POINT — The American Furniture Manufacturers Assn. has prepared a tip sheet on how producers can best attract media attention with press kits at market times. "These tips are some of the basic things we think are most essential," said Jackie Hirschhaut, AFMA's vice president of marketing and communications.
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Dawson co-founder retires
WEBB CITY, Mo. — Alma Dawson, a founder of case goods producer Dawson Furniture Co. here, has retired after 55 years. She and her late husband, Alfred Dawson, launched the manufacturer in the family garage in 1949. At the outset, the couple made antique reproductions in solid walnut and cherry.
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DeGraffenreid joins Lady Americana
OKLAHOMA CITY — Lady Americana, a Top 10 bedding producer based here, has named Mark DeGraffenreid director of marketing, a new position. He will be responsible for all traditional and electronic media, sales promotions and market research. DeGraffenreid was creative director for retailer Mathis Bros.
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Shaw gaining in mass market
DALTON, Ga.— Major rug and home textiles producer Shaw Living is putting its mass-market game plan into action with the goal of becoming the No. 1 or No. 2 resource in that channel. "We've made a lot of progress in woven room-size rugs," said Jeff Meadows, vice president of the Shaw Living Division of Shaw Inds.
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Schweiger may close
JEFFERSON, Wis. — Schweiger, a 105-year-old stationary upholstery producer based here, said last week it will shut down by mid-May if a buyer cannot be found. The company said it has been seeking a buyer for months, and officials remained optimistic that a sale could be negotiated before the deadline.
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Cole set to succeed Belgrad at Schnadig
CHICAGO — Thirty-year industry veteran Alan Cole has joined upholstery maker and case goods importer Schnadig Corp. as president and chief operating officer. Donald Belgrad, who had been president, remains chairman and CEO. He said Cole will be groomed as his successor. Executive Vice President Norman Waxman has requested reduced responsibilities in order to spend more time with his family.
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Showcasing America's design spirit
NEW YORK — Bloomingdale's launched a major home furnishings promotion last week at its flagship store here, "The New American Spirit," spotlighting American design. A key element in the program, which embraces all home areas, is an exclusive 27-piece furniture statement, The America Collection.
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Same-day delivery pays off
Morristown, N.J.— Same-day service is delivering benefits to Mealey's Furniture, according to the retailer's owners. A few months ago, the three-store chain rolled out same-day delivery seven days a week on purchases made before 3 p.m., and the policy is believed to have helped push same-store sales volume up 10%.
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Ariz. Costco Home store on tap
TEMPE, Ariz.— Costco Wholesale Corp. plans to build its second Costco Home unit here, next to an existing Costco Warehouse. Costco is pursuing final permits on a former HomeBase location, a 110,000-square-foot building that is slightly larger than the original Costco Home store near Seattle. The new unit in Tempe, east of Phoenix, will be on West Elliot Road at 56th Street.
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Burlington, Cone merger set
GREENSBORO, N.C.— A new textiles giant, International Textile Group, is arising from the merger of Burlington Inds. and Cone Mills, both bought out of bankruptcy by WLRoss & Co. owner Wilbur Ross, a New York financier. Upholstery fabric suppliers Cone Jacquards and Cone's Carlisle subsidiary will be consolidated with Burlington's jacquard operations into a single Burlington company, w...
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'Wonderful thing' for U.S. industry
GAFFNEY, S.C.— Scalamandré's move to South Carolina is an example of what entrepreneurs can do to save the U.S. textile industry, said Richard Downing, president of Metropolis Fabrics here. "This is a wonderful thing for the American textile industry," he said. "We have merged our capabilities in what we know will be a sustainable textile manufacturing operation for years to come.
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An immigrant's success story
LONG ISLAND CITY, N.Y.— In 1929, six years after he emigrated to the United States from Italy, Franco Scalamandré bought a mill here with a $5,000 down payment and a $95,000 mortgage. Scalamandré, whose aesthetic was rooted in a love of art and nurtured by textile weavers and designers in his childhood home near Naples, got his first commission from William Randolph Hearst for s...
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Scalamandré moving to S.C.
GAFFNEY, S.C.— Determined to preserve U.S. jobs, Scalamandré, a producer of high-end textiles and other home furnishings, is relocating its weaving, dyeing and finishing operations from New York to a plant here, and plans to ramp up business with domestic furniture makers. Mark Bitter, CEO and co-president, said the company's survival "could not have been guaranteed given the high co...
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La France allies with group for fabrics push
Greenville, S.C.— La France Inds. is moving to reclaim its place as a producer of midpriced to better upholstery fabric after several years out of the limelight. The first step was the establishment of a strategic alliance with The Mischen Glabman Group, a company formed by industry veterans Steve Mischen and Thom Glabman.
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Group boasts broad range of experience
Greenville, S.C.— The Mischen Glabman Group boasts a broad range of experience in the furniture and textile industries. Steve Mischen was CEO at Preview, a high-end contemporary upholstery company that was sold to Bassett in June 2003t. Prior to that he was executive vice president of the Burlington House division of Burlington Inds.
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Wampler leaves Natale; strategy remains in place
High Point— John Wampler has resigned as president after six months at Italian leather and case goods producer Natale. Wampler, who joined Natale after a 30-year-stint with case goods maker Pulaski, said he intends to remain in the furniture industry. He joined Natale as vice president in October 2003.
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Hamilton & Spill taps Plowman for new post
VANCOUVER, British Columbia— Importer Hamilton & Spill Furniture Group has named Brenda Plowman as its Canadian sales and marketing manager, a new position. Plowman joins the company after eight years as CEO and chief strategist of SynapTuit Group Services, a Vancouver-based sales and marketing firm.
Opinion Today
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What will boomers do with their inheritances?
One of the key sources of discretionary income are the inheritances that are coming to the 76 million baby boomers from 1998 to 2016 or so. While there is some debate over the total dollar amount, the impact will be significant. Remember, the parents of the boomers survived the Great Depression, so they have been debt averse.
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Bernhardt not backing out on Kmart's queen
Attention Kmart Shoppers: In the event you were unaware, product licensing is a two-edged sword. Done right, and with the right partner, the strategy can help a manufacturer carve up a market faster than a brand new Ginsu knife can cut through a tender sirloin. But what happens when a supplier partners with a celebrity, such as Martha Stewart, who suddenly finds herself in hot water? That's the...
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Capturing more dollars with color
Has our marketplace once again underestimated the consumer? I'm talking about what colors Ms. Jones in Peoria will accept in her home, other than basic beige and offwhite. The home furnishings market appears to be playing catch-up with consumers. They've bought into color in their clothing, and they are responding to the few offerings on the home market.
People Today
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RC Furniture taps Shafer for merchandising post
City of Industry, Calif.—Jennie Shafer has joined West Coast upholstery producer RC Furniture as director of merchandising. She is responsible for fabric procurement, selection and frame-to-fabric application. She also will be working with major accounts. Shafer previously was merchandising manager for upholstery maker Golden Oaks, a division of Klaussner Furniture Inds.
- People on the Move
People on the Move
EXECUTIVES Brown Jordan International POMPANO BEACH , Fla. —Ron Ball has been promoted to the newly created position of vice president of specialty sales at Brown Jordan International. He reports to Bill Echols, president of BJI's retail market division. Ball previously was the casual and outdoor furniture maker's sales representative in Texas for the Brown Jordan, Winston, Vineyard, ...
Special Report
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Metal beds add zest to case goods lines
HIGH POINT — An effort to bring more variety to bedroom collections and give consumers an additional fashion option has more case goods manufacturers introducing all-metal beds in the past couple of years. The success of metal bed specialists such as Fashion Bed Group, Wesley Allen and Elliott's Designs has proven the category works at retail.
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Cebu: A materials story
CEBU CITY, Philippines— In the Philippines, many furniture makers have a better working knowledge of their raw materials than perhaps anywhere else in the world. That message was loud and clear at the 21st annual Cebu International Furniture and Furnishings Exhibition here, where native manufacturers stood out for their ability to mold and shape eye-catching designs that wowed visitors fr...
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Manila shows its range
MANILA, Philippines— Visitors to the 8th annual Philippine International Furniture Show here were greeted with a wide range of product that wove indigenous materials into a host of transitional and contemporary designs. The 116 exhibitors represented a broad range of categories from bedroom and dining room to leather and fabric upholstery.
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PIFS returns to Manila
MANILA, Philippines— After a misstep last year, the Philippine International Furniture Show here is back on track and poised for growth. PIFS organizers held last year's show in Pampanga, an area about 30 minutes north of Manila by plane and an hour-and-a-half by land. Organizers said the goal was to bring the show to an area known for its manufacturing base, but admitted the distance p...
- Market Report
Venue change may boost Salão do Móvel Brasil
GRAMADO, Brazil– The fifth annual Salão do Móvel Brasil show, whose focus on high-end furniture makes it unusual in Brazil, still doesn't have a strong U.S. buying presence, but a change of venue for next year's edition could help change that. In March 2005, the event will move to ITM Expo, a 320,000-square-foot trade show facility in Brazil's business capital, São Paulo.
- Market Report
Movelsul Brasil showing good growth
BENTO GONALVES, Brazil – With the exhibitor count up 14 companies to 430 versus two years ago, Movelsul Brasil 2004, Latin America's largest furniture trade show, got off to a strong start earlier this month. Through the first two days, 11,000 buyers came through the doors, ahead of the pace at the same time during the biannual show's last edition in 2002.
Supplement
- Bedding Today
Leibowitz defends China
EDISON, N.J.— As he prepares to bring a line of Chinese-made bedding into the U.S. market, Ira Leibowitz confronts a new challenge: China bashing. That's not fair, he said, noting that China is an important trading partner of the United States. "To slap a partner is unfair," he said. "You need to look at the total picture.
- Bedding Today
Excel's Chinese venture moves forward
EDISON, N.J.— Retail interest is high. The beds are right for the U.S. market. And the prices are sharp — 25% better than the competition. Those factors will help unleash a wave of Chinese-made bedding on the U.S. market, says Ira Leibowitz, vice president of U.S. bedding maker Excel Bedding, based here.
- Bedding Today
Conventional mfrs. see more growth
HIGH POINT— Conventional bedding producers, virtually all of whom offer specialty sleep lines, say that category is expanding. King Koil President Larry McKay said specialty sleep "is stronger than ever," and noted that many consumers are looking for alternatives to traditional bedding. Approximately 10% to 12% of King Koil's sales are in specialty sleep, a category that producer only ent...
- Bedding Today
Foamex VPF offerings 'redefine' foam
CORNELIUS, N.C.— Leveraging its proprietary Variable Pressure Foaming technology, supplier Foamex International rapidly is expanding its sales of foam products in the bedding industry. Last year the foam major generated bedding-related sales of VPF-produced foams of about $70 million, almost double the year-earlier volume.
- Bedding Today
Foamex building brand portfolio
CORNELIUS, N.C. — Foamex is building a branded portfolio of foams for bedding producers, supported with a variety of marketing materials for both producers and retailers. Here's a look at three of its key bedding foam brands: Each of these brands is produced by Foamex's proprietary, patented Variable Pressure Foaming process, which the company says enhances comfort and durability.
- Bedding Today
1-800-Mattress debuts galleries
LONG ISLAND CITY, N.Y.— 1-800-Mattress, which pioneered a different way to sell mattresses, is now looking for different kinds of retailers to carry its bedding. Company founder Napoleon "Nap" Barragan "has given us the charge to partner with as many retailers who have brick and mortar as possible," said Joe Vicens, executive vice president.
- Bedding Today
1-800-Mattress adds to list of honors
LONG ISLAND CITY , N.Y. — The honors keep rolling in for 1-800-Mattress founder Napoleon Barragan and his company. Barragan recently was part of the halftime entertainment at a New York Knicks basketball game at Madison Square Garden. He was among a group of honorees singled out by the Better Business Bureau's Latino Executives of New York tribute.
- Bedding Today
Latex foam boom still racing ahead
Shelton, Conn.— The U.S. latex bedding market is in the midst of a growth boom that shows no signs of slowing, according to a leading producer of latex foam. Kevin Stein, director of marketing for Latex Foam International here, North America's only latex bedding producer, sees substantial growth ahead for the burgeoning category.
- Bedding Today
L&P shows burning desire for consistency
STATESVILLE, N.C. — Leggett & Platt turns up the heat to make sure its fire-resistant products are doing their job. The company's Textile & Fiber Products Division has devised a quality-assurance test that it uses on a regular basis. It takes samples from rolls of its Pyro-Gon high-loft fibers and trains blowtorch-like heat on them.
- Bedding Today
Leggett & Platt FR line: It's almost 'auto'-matic
Statesville, N.C.— The idea came from the automotive industry, long before mattress makers began thinking about the now-critical open-flame flammability issue. Karl Van Becelaere, executive vice president of Leggett & Platt's Textile & Fiber Products Division, recalled the day five years ago when one of the Big Three automakers asked L&P to look into applications for the carbo...
- Bedding Today
Success had humble roots
HICKORY, N.C.— Persistence pays off. That could be the motto of Hickory Springs, a success story that followed a number of missteps for company founder Parks Cornelius Underdown. Today he is enshrined in the American Furniture Hall of Fame, but Underdown got off to a rocky start. "Parks had been involved in quite a few Hickory-area joint ventures, most failures, in the home furnishings a...
- Bedding Today
Hickory Springs eyes more growth
HICKORY, N.C.— Hickory Springs, a broad-based supplier of components to the home furnishings industry, is riding a strong growth wave in the bedding arena. "Without question, the fastest-growing area of our business is in bedding," said J. Donald Coleman, president and CEO. A privately held company with revenues in excess of $500 million, Hickory Springs supplies a wide assortment of prod...
- Bedding Today
Can specialty sleep maintain buzz?
HIGH POINT— Select Comfort, a maker and retailer of air beds, is soaring. Tempur-Pedic, the visco-elastic foam pioneer, has a cushy sales history. And specialty sleep lines offered by everyone — from some of the industry's biggest bedding producers to small, niche players — are practically flying out the door on retail floors across the country.
- Bedding Today
Market share estimates vary
HIGH POINT— How big is the specialty sleep category? The International Sleep Products Assn., the bedding industry's leading trade association, has no official figures. That leaves it to bedding producers themselves to give it their best shot. And those shots cover a broad range of territory. Estimates on the specialty sleep category's share of the total U.
- Bedding Today
Futon makers hit trends
HIGH POINT — Futon producers are hitting the hot trends in specialty sleep, showing a growing array of visco-elastic cushioned models. Futon leader Gold Bond has scored with its Visco Opulence futon, which compresses 22 inches of support materials into a 12-inch thick futon, with two layers of visco foam.
- Bedding Today
Sealy's specialty push
TRINITY, N.C.— Sealy, the world's largest bedding producer, is rolling out some new alternative bedding products later this year. "We are developing alternative product offerings and designs for launch in 2004, which we will discuss with our key retailers at the April High Point market," said Dave McIlquham, Sealy's president and chief executive officer.
Up Front
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Powell Co. names Benton CEO
CULVER CITY, Calif. — Bill Benton, president of major importer Powell Company, has been given the additional title of chief executive officer. Rick Powell, interim CEO since November 2002, becomes chairman, replacing Irwin Lowenstein, who remains on the board of directors. Benton has three decades of furniture experience, including senior management posts with retailers Levitz and Roberds.
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Three bedding makers choose Elk FR barrier
DALLAS — Elk Technologies, the first supplier of fire-resistant mattress materials to announce customers, said three more bedding makers have chosen its VersaShield fire-barrier technology. The new customers are Capitol City Mattress Co. of Tennessee, McRoskey Airflex Mattress Co. of California, and American Bedding Co.
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Restonic appoints Toman president
ROSEMONT, Ill. — Top 10 bedding producer Restonic has named industry veteran Kevin Toman president and CEO. He replaces Ed Scott, whose last official day at Restonic is March 31. Toman's bedding experience includes positions with bedding majors Simmons, Sealy and Serta. He spent the past few years working in education, as an instructor and a marketing consultant.
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New Mealey's stores generate strong results in Philly and N.J.
MOORESTOWN, N.J. — Mealey's Furniture is doing well with its third suburban Philadelphia store and its first in New Jersey, even in a market already teeming with midpriced competition. The store's owners say their brand of customer service and their display approach are paying dividends. Mealey's soft-opened the South New Jersey store here in December in a former HomeLife Furniture after...
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WMC installs Web cams at Vegas construction site
LAS VEGAS — The World Market Center has installed Web cams at its construction site here, giving Internet users round-the-clock views of progress on the first phase of the furniture market complex. Web Site visitors can see walls going up on the 1.3 million-square-foot building, and rebar coming up from the freight elevator foundation.
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Grow joins Ladlow's team
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Longtime furniture manufacturing executive Dan Grow has moved to the retail side, joining Ladlow's Fine Furniture here as president, with plans to acquire an ownership stake in the store. Grow, who has ties to the area, replaces owner Dan Roark as president. Roark remains chairman and principal owner of the one-store, high-end company.
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Wurster starting import business
FORNEY, Texas — Steve Silver Co. is losing its chief operating officer as Jack Wurster is leaving to start his own import business. Wurster is selling his minority share to the other owners for an undisclosed amount and is launching Embassy International. Steve Silver, incorporated in 1987, specializes in imported dining and occasional furniture.
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Pa. House strengthens gallery effort
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Ron Fuhrman, vice president of marketing and advertising at Pennsylvania House, has assumed the additional responsibility of running the company's gallery program, and Susan Blackman has been promoted to the new position of vice president of creative. The new assignments are part of a revitalization of the Pennsylvania House In-Store Gallery program.
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Natuzzi increasing prices
HIGH POINT — Italian upholstery maker Natuzzi will implement a 5% price increase April 3 in the United States and Canada, a response to the strengthening euro. The increase, which follows a 5% price hike in November, applies to Natuzzi-branded product only. The company's promotional Italsofa line is unaffected.
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Goldsby joins MMPI
HIGH POINT — Merchandise Mart Properties Inc., which owns Market Square and other furniture showroom buildings here, has named Walt Goldsby vice president of leasing for its High Point facilities. He will have overall responsibility for leasing the 2.2 million square feet of permanent and temporary exhibit space owned by MMPI here.
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Polaris promotes Carmel
FORLI, Italy — Industry veteran Gary Carmel has been promoted to national sales manager for Italian leather upholstery manufacturer Polaris. He will oversee key accounts and supervise the sales force. Carmel has served as a sales consultant to the company for the past year. He previously was affiliated with Canadian manufacturer/distributor Verardo/Verstile.
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