Furniture|Today 04/24/2004 Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Furniture|Today -- 04/24/2004

Market Daily

High Point Market
Internet Café available for marketgoers
HIGH POINT— The Internet Café is open at market again this year, allowing marketgoers to check their e-mail, stock quotes and daily news while taking a break. The café, on the Market Square ground floor, has 12 terminals with Roadrunner high-speed Internet access, provided by Time Warner Cable Business Services.
High Point Market
LeatherTrend adds Plush line of washable upholstery suedes
AT THE MARKET — LeatherTrend has launched a new washable suede, Plush by LeatherTrend. "It's 100% Italian leather treated with a chemical process to resist stains," said Constance Kiel, marketing director. "It beads up like microfiber." Plush by LeatherTrend is priced with LeatherTrend's grade 4 (out of 5) mid- to high-level leathers, Kiel said.
High Point Market
AICO rep sponsors El Dorado pig roast
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — It has become an early December tradition. AICO South Florida sales representative Frank Lorenzo takes off his coat and tie and pulls out his cookers for a big pig roast at El Dorado Furniture's distribution center here. "It's one way of showing the warehouse people how much we appreciate them," said Lorenzo.
High Point Market
P.J. Kids opens Rooms to Dream
CHERRY HILL, N.J.— Juvenile furniture maker P.J. Kids opened a 13,000-square-foot, corporately owned Rooms to Dream store here last month, planning to use it as a training ground and merchandising example for future Rooms to Dream store owners. "The Cherry Hill location is the vision, come to life, of what we have been selling for over a year to retailers," said Stewart Paul, president of P.
High Point Market
Flock of new showrooms energize market rug floors
AT THE MARKET — A flock of new showrooms is energizing the rug floors in High Point's major buildings. It's a big change from recent markets, when rug exhibitors have been more likely to close rather than open showrooms. Here's a rundown on some of the new spaces:
High Point Market
Give us your best shot
AT THE MARKET — Furniture/Today is soliciting photographs of new products for its Best of Market section, to appear in the May 3 issue. To be considered, products must be well-received introductions at this market. Furniture and rugs in all categories and price points will be considered. The deadline for submitting products for the Best of Market section is 10 a.
High Point Market
New execs join Largo
AT THE MARKET — Raymond Reese and Lisa Hurley are at their first High Point market as executives at case goods and metal bed importer Largo International. Reese joined the company Feb. 1 as vice president of national sales, and Hurley is creative director and showroom manager, a new position. Reese replaced Dick Yargus, who left Largo to join bed frame producer Mantua Mfg.
High Point Market
Memory foam gaining steam
AT THE MARKET — Memory foam is having a memorable market. With visco-elastic beds of one form or another in virtually all of the two dozen bedding showrooms at market, buyers have plenty of choices in the burgeoning category. Call it what you want: Memory foam, visco-elastic foam, "handprint" foam or Swedish foam.
High Point Market
Magazine taps Bernie & Phyl's for charity work
NORTON, Mass.— Bernie & Phyl's Furniture was one of 10 retailers internationally to win the Executive Technology Retail Community Service Award, given by Executive Technology Magazine. Bernie Rubin, co-founder and president, and Larry Rubin, chief operating officer, accepted the award on behalf of the company during a gala at the National Retail Federation conference in New York.
High Point Market
J. Peterman promoting Jeffco line at retail
AT THE MARKET — John Peterman scours the world for treasures, and he's also making the rounds of furniture stores to promote his new licensed line by Jeffco. For market, the high-end manufacturer is introducing 10 new J. Peterman pieces to add to the original 32-piece line that debuted in October.
High Point Market
Educational seminars on tap for market
HIGH POINT — This April's International Home Furnishings Market again will feature a wide variety of educational programs. Unless noted, reservations are not required and there is no charge to attend. All seminars without a specific location listed are held in the National Home Furnishings Assn.
High Point Market
Social activities abound during market
Saturday, April 24 Breakfast C&D Building Mimosas, Bloody Marys, cappuccino, gourmet coffee, fresh juice, homemade bakery items, coffee cake, quiche and fruit. 10 – 11:30 a.m. Plaza Suites brunch 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Buyers lunch Hamilton Market Buyers lunch Hamilton Square Soup and salad, featuring New England clam chowder, salad topped with salmon or chicken and beverage.
High Point Market
Pagers available from IHFRA
HIGH POINT – The International Home Furnishings Representatives Assn. again is teaming up with North State Communications to offer Sun Telecom ST750 numeric pagers during the International Home Furnishings Market. The fee is $39.95 plus a $30 refundable deposit. The fee includes activation, rental and unlimited pages throughout the market.
High Point Market
Agencies offering free minor medical care in unit behind Radisson
AT THE MARKET — Cornerstone Health Care again will offer free minor medical care to visitors during the April market. The services are co-sponsored by the International Home Furnishings Market Authority and High Point Regional Health System. Physicans, physician extenders, nurses and clinical staff from the Regional Emergency Physicians and the Cornerstone providers networks will provid...
High Point Market
MMPI taps Shelburne
CHICAGO — Veteran furniture industry executive Jack Shelburne has been named vice president of leasing for residential furnishings at Merchandise Mart Properties Inc., which owns Market Square and several other High Point showroom buildings. Shelburne will be based at MMPI headquarters in Chicago's Merchandise Mart and will oversee leasing for the residential furnishings division of the h...
High Point Market
Kiel joins LeatherTrend as marketing manager
AT THE MARKET — Constance Kiel has been appointed to the newly created post of marketing manager at leather upholstery resource LeatherTrend. She most recently was affiliated with a public relations firm, and also worked in marketing at Thomasville and freelanced in the industry. At LeatherTrend, she is responsible for building brand awareness, marketing, advertising and communications.
High Point Market
Archatrive now showing in Suites at Market Square
AT THE MARKET — After 10 years in the historic section of Market Square, case goods and item source Archatrive has moved this week to a new 1,000-square-foot space, 1-512 in Suites at Market Square. Its product introductions here include a new X-base table and framework headboard. The new space has more display fixtures, which will accommodate an expanded presentation of the Faux Fruits ...
High Point Market
Creating a successful private sale event
ST. LOUIS — A private sale is an in-store promotional event communicated via a direct mail piece. Contained in this simple definition are all the elements needed to make a private sale a success. Actually there are two words that are the keys to success: Direct and event. Direct: Hitting the target The secret of direct mail is in the targeting.
High Point Market
Cory Home Delivery continues rapid growth
JERSEY CITY, N.J. — Cory Home Delivery has added several new clients and says it is on track to reach a run rate of $100 million in annual revenue by the end of 2005. Cory, a furniture warehousing and delivery specialist for most of its 70 years, broadened into the appliance and consumer electronics categories about five years ago.
High Point Market
Home Line adds delivery in Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA — Furniture importer and distributor Home Line Inds. is expanding its customer service program to offer home delivery and setup for the Philadelphia-area retailers that sell its products. The company's new home delivery service will handle all delivery details in-house, from the customer service representative who speaks directly with the customer to arrange delivery, to the ...
High Point Market
Three added at Julius M. Feinblum
AT THE MARKET — Julius M. Feinblum Real Estate, a leading company specializing in furniture retail real estate, has added three new members to its team. Tim Keeley has joined the company to manage Feinblum's Florida, Philadelphia and West Coast business. He has more than 30 years of corporate real estate experience with national retailers such as Toys R Us, and has successfully develo...
High Point Market
People on the Move
EXECUTIVES American West PICO RIVERA, Calif. —Guy Denniston has been named to the newly created position of executive vice president of business development at transportation provider American West Worldwide Express. For the past 10 years, he has been vice president of Daylight and president of Webber Distribution.
High Point Market
Thurmo-Pudic showing at new High Point plant
AT THE MARKET — Visco-elastic bedding producer Thurmo-Pudic USA is showing off its new manufacturing and showroom facility at the market. The producer, which launched its visco-elastic bedding line at this market a year ago, is now based at a 60,000-square-foot facility at 2810 Earlham Place in High Point.
High Point Market
2004 Kids Today conference set for June
HIGH POINT — It's all about the younger set at the 2004 Kids Today conference, scheduled for June 2-4 at the Lago Mar Resort & Club in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. "The fourth annual Kids Today conference takes on the theme 'The Kid Connection: Plug in to the Power,' and that's exactly what we'll do in these three days," said Jane Kitchen, editor of Kids Today, a supplement to Furniture/Today.
High Point Market
Wood protection demand up
CLEVELAND — The demand for wood protection coatings and preservatives for the furniture industry rose 4.9% from 1997 to 2002, according to a study by The Freedonia Group, a Cleveland-based industrial market research firm. The report forecasts that demand for wood protection coatings and preservatives will increase more than 2% each year until 2007, when it is expected to be a $3 billion i...
High Point Market
Textile groups oppose CAFTA trade pact
WASHINGTON — Two industry groups are opposing the proposed Central American Free Trade Agreement, or CAFTA, now before Congress. The American Manufacturing Trade Action Coalition and the American Textile Manufacturers Institute said the pact would cost U.S. manufacturing jobs and would result in the loss of U.
High Point Market
Canal Dover returns to High Point market
AT THE MARKET — Case goods and occasional manufacturer Canal Dover is back at the High Point market this week after a year's absence. The company, based in Midvale, Ohio, has a 3,900-square-foot space at 320 N. Hamilton St. Canal Dover's product is 100% domestically made. "We had been showing in the International Home Furnishings Center, but over the years we've taken the product in a mor...
High Point Market
Growing and having fun
PARK HILLS, Mo. — Hanging some old buggies and bikes from the ceiling of Hefner Furniture & Appliance and displaying a few race boats and Harley Davidson's apparently wasn't enough for Slug Hefner. The four-store, southeastern Missouri retailer outdid himself with his most recent expansion.
High Point Market
Youth mfgs. target 'tweens'
AT THE MARKET — Youth furniture is filling in the gaps this market, targeting both "tweeners" and young adults. "Before you buy that racecar bed for your 5-year-old, try to imagine him sleeping in it when he's 15," said Glenn Prillaman, senior vice president of Young America, Stanley's youth division.
High Point Market
New Cochrane line simplifies upholstery shopping
AT THE MARKET — Building on the success of its Design and Dine casual dining, Cochrane Furniture is introducing an upholstery line called Color By Number that gives consumers quick, easy choices in style and color. The new collection's retail price points of $699 to $799 fall a bit below the company's normal $799 to $899 range.
High Point Market
Marquesa Plush appearing in 45 market showrooms
AT THE MARKET — Marquesa Plush, a high-performance yarn from American Fibers & Yarns used by fabric producers Culp for chenilles and Joan for velvets, is on product in 45 showrooms here, including La-Z-Boy, Norwalk, Berkline, Bench-Craft, Best Home Furnishings and Stylecraft. Fabrics constructed with Marquesa Plush yarns are said to be highly durable, abrasion resistant, colorfast an...
High Point Market
Chris Madden line expected to stir growth for JCPenney
PLANO, Texas — JCPenney executives say the company's furniture business is moving towards profitability and should benefit from the launch of the Chris Madden collection for the JCPenney Home Collection. "We have had the quality and value in our furniture business, and now the Chris Madden furniture should bring the styling up to a new level," Allen Questrom, chairman and CEO JCPenney, to...
High Point Market
South Cone trumpets responsible forest management
AT THE MARKET — Responsible management of the world's forests and the corresponding development of alternative wood species for furniture are more than the right things to do. They are critical to the furniture industry's future. That was a key message of "The Power of Furniture," a market presentation by high-end furniture maker South Cone Trading Co.
High Point Market
Governor admires Century craftsmanship
AT THE MARKET — As a woodworking hobbyist, North Carolina Gov. Mike Easley showed during a tour of the Century showroom here that he appreciates beautiful materials and craftsmanship. In the first market appearance by a North Carolina governor in nearly a decade, Easley also showed his support for the antidumping petition that some U.
High Point Market
Thomasville, Ashley settle 2002 infringement lawsuit
AT THE MARKET — Thomasville and Ashley have settled a lawsuit Thomasville filed in late 2002 alleging infringement of its British Gentry Collection by Ashley's Grand Geneva Collection. Ashley denied any wrongdoing, but to avoid the cost of litigation, the parties reached an amicable resolution.
High Point Market
Factory orders up 16% in February
HIGH POINT — U.S. furniture factory orders jumped 16% in February, recovering sales the industry lost in early 2003 plus a little more, according to BDO Seidman. Orders in February 2003 had been down 12% from February 2002, which puts this year's big gain in perspective, the accounting and consulting firm said.
High Point Market
IFDA appoints 2004 board
PRINCETON JUNCTION , N.J. — The International Furnishings and Design Assn. has named its international board of directors for 2004, and has rechartered its Beijing-based China chapter. Constance E. Blair, president and CEO of Technology Ventures, Warren, Mich., and a member of the Michigan chapter, is the new president.
High Point Market
Internet sales up 25% in 4Q to $17.2 billion
WASHINGTON— Internet sales jumped 25% in 2003's fourth quarter to $17.2 billion, accounting for 1.9% of total retail sales of $918.2 billion in the period, said the U.S. Department of Commerce. The quarterly growth rate for e-commerce was more than four times that for all retail sales. Overall retail sales rose 6.
High Point Market
Quaker profits up 5.4% in 1Q
FALL RIVER, Mass.— Fabric supplier Quaker Fabric saw first-quarter profits rise 5.4% despite a 6.5% drop in sales. Sales for the first quarter were $84.4 million, off from $90.2 million in the same period last year. Net income for the quarter reached $2.4 million, compared with $2.3 million in the year-earlier period.
High Point Market
Tempur-Pedic 1Q sales up 45.7%
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Tempur-Pedic International posted first-quarter sales of $153.1 million, a 45.7% surge over sales of $105.1 million in the comparable 2003 quarter, as net income increased 8.1% to $11.8 million. On a pro-forma basis, the maker and marketer of visco-elastic mattresses and pillows said first-quarter profits were up 51.
High Point Market
Bombay expects per-share loss of 13 to 16 cents
FORT WORTH, Texas — The Bombay Company has revised guidance on its second-quarter performance, and now expects a loss in the range of 13 to 16 cents per share. Earlier, the specialty retailer had projected a loss at the high end of an 8 to 11 cents range. James Carreker, chairman and CEO, said, "Based on sales being softer than planned for Easter and a couple of unexpected charges to firs...
High Point Market
IFDA names Waites honorary chairman
AT THE MARKET — Designer Raymond Waites has been named honorary chairman of the International Furnishings and Design Assn.'s upcoming conference at the October market here. IFDA made the announcement at a luncheon here Friday, where Waites spoke about his 30-year career in design. He has been in the forefront of important design and lifestyle trends, from American country in the 1980s to...
High Point Market
Sears names award recipients
HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Two rug resources, a bedding vendor and a home furnishings catalog licensee were among the nine home furnishings companies honored by the annual Sears' Partners in Progress awards. The four are Feizy, Karastan, Sealy and Direct Marketing Services Inc. Karastan also was cited as category supplier of the year.
High Point Market
Jesper Office adds McGuinnes, broadens line
AT THE MARKET — Kevin McGuinness, who successfully led Ekornes beyond the confines of the Scandinavian niche, has joined Jesper Office as chairman. Jesper owner Tonny Haahr brought McGuinness in so he could focus on international sourcing and the expansion of the Jesper factory in Denmark. McGuinness, who was with Ekornes for 18 years until his surprise resignation a few months ago, will...
High Point Market
Lea, Founders introducing Henley Home corner beds
AT THE MARKET — Henley Home has licensed its patent-pending, space-saving corner bed configuration, which debuts this market with product at Lea Inds. and the Founders Furniture division of Thomasville. The design consists of a headboard that fits into a room's corner and nightstands that create aesthetically pleasing storage in the spaces created by a bed placed in a corner at a 45-degre...
High Point Market
Sligh offers sound enhancement for entertainment
AT THE MARKET — Sligh Furniture has figured out how to pump up the volume without adding more speakers. The company has developed a sound-enhancing insert for its 90-inch-wide entertainment centers. A parabolic curve, the panel reflects sound out toward the home audience. Jack Kelly, who designed the insert, said the piece will be particularly useful with plasma and DLP televisions that h...
High Point Market
Z-Line Designs honored by Staples
AT THE MARKET — Staples, the 1,500-store, office-product retailer, has recognized Z-Line Designs as its best furniture supplier for 2003. The award is based on performance, including delivery, return rate, service, product design and sales results. Z-Line President Jim Sexton said it was "tremendously gratifying" to receive the award from Staples, whose furniture business reportedly grew ...
High Point Market
Export opportunities to China evolving rapidly
AT THE MARKET — U.S. furniture companies that view China only as a manufacturing resource are missing an opportunity to get in on the ground floor of what's fast evolving into a powerful consumer market. That was part of the message from William Chu, a foreign trade representative for the North Carolina Department of Commerce in Hong Kong, in a presentation here Tuesday to the North Carol...
High Point Market
Steel, wood costs climb
AT THE MARKET — Just as furniture manufacturers are seeing business finally turn upward, a surge in steel and wood products prices is putting a dent in the comeback. Pressure on profit margins is forcing manufacturers to reluctantly consider price increases, at a time when they are already facing the threat of cheaper imports and intense competition.
High Point Market
Storage opens up in dining
AT THE MARKET — The impact of casual lifestyles on formal dining furniture continues to be evident here, most visibly in the increased number of open-storage pieces instead of traditional chinas or buffets with doors. Along with providing a more relaxed atmosphere in the home's main dining area, open storage reflects an effort by manufacturers to get more mileage out of a collection's pie...
High Point Market
Veneer variety on the rise
AT THE MARKET — The never-ending quest for surface interest and variety — plus a growing effort to replace dwindling and overused species — has led to an abundance of veneer choices in case goods showrooms this market. Where once there was mahogany, now there's, oh, say, cerejeira. Tired of olive ash — how about laurel or oak burl instead? Look as well for exotic, expens...
High Point Market
W. Schillig broadens line with sofas, cinema seating
AT THE MARKET — W. Schillig USA has diversified its product assortment with the addition of cinema seating and sofa frames. Best known as a producer of contemporary sectionals, the German manufacturer is introducing the Premium collection, a sofa line, here. "It's a classically styled alternative to sectionals at an aggressive price," said Erik Stammberger, president of Schillig.
High Point Market
Gamma to show at fall market
AT THE MARKET — Italian leather upholstery producer Gamma Arredamenti International will open a showroom space in Showplace for the fall market. The company will join American Leather on the fifth floor. The Dallas-based manufacturer is enlarging its showroom space by 6,300 square feet to accommodate American Upholstery, its newly created fabric upholstery division, which has a separate e...
High Point Market
Guardian's Groban attends 250th furniture market
AT THE MARKET — Some are more memorable than others, but the furniture market Jackie Groban remembers best was in October 1981 in Hickory. He got married during that one. With 250 guests and a schnauzer named Tush as the ring bearer, Groban and his bride, Karen, stood under the traditional chupah and tied the knot.
High Point Market
Strobel touting waterbeds for fire safety
AT THE MARKET — Strobel Technologies says it has a natural solution to the new mattress flammability standards that will be enforced in California next year. It's called water, as in waterbeds. President Mark Strobel says that's a natural way to meet the new FR standards. "You can always buy a waterbed, which will pass this fire standard naturally without added chemicals," he said in a pr...
High Point Market
Furnitech designs with new TVs in mind
AT THE MARKET — Furnitech, a new supplier of furniture for the latest in entertainment technology, is making its High Point debut. Showing in Plaza Suites, 2-323, the company is offering contemporary and transitional designs that complement the look and style of leading-edge televisions and other electronics components.
High Point Market
Furniture Traditions builds niche in domestic oak BR
AT THE MARKET — While debate continues on an antidumping petition targeting wood bedroom from China, Furniture Traditions, a U.S. manufacturer of oak bedroom furniture, keeps quietly building its business. The Orange, Calif.-based company, which shows here in Space 106 of Center Point, projects sales this year of $30 million, out of a 130,000-square-foot plant with 120 employees.
High Point Market
Padma's Plantation adds sourcing
AT THE MARKET — Case goods and upholstery importer Padma's Plantation has developed several new sourcing arrangements it hopes will further diversify its overseas production base and increase its competitiveness in price and quality. In the past several months, the company has added three new sourcing partners in Indonesia and two in China.
High Point Market
Cleaner designs spark new sales for importer Platt
AT THE MARKET — About two years ago, importer The Platt Collections changed its design approach, turning away from heavily carved bedroom and dining room furniture to focus on simpler, more transitional looks with cleaner lines. The shift has paid off. In 2003, its first full year of sales since the change, Platt said revenues rose 16% over 2002.
High Point Market
Metal bed segment heats up
AT THE MARKET — Metal bed companies are facing increasing competition head-on with a host of new looks, finishes and lines this market. The products further solidify the sources' position in the market at a time when traditional case goods companies are offering more metal beds to tie in with their wood products.
High Point Market
Morris disputes ISPA take on flammability
NORTH HIGHLANDS , Calif. — The outgoing chief of the California Bureau of Home Furnishings says California is on solid legal footing to enforce its new open-flame flammability standard next year. Lynn Morris, who leaves her job at the end of this month, said California has no choice but to enforce the standard.
High Point Market
Gaynor joins Jeffco team
AT THE MARKET — Jeffco Furniture has its own "apprentice." Scott Gaynor, son of founder and President Jeffrey Gaynor and Vice President Paula Gaynor, has joined the high-end, full-line manufacturer and importer as a design apprentice. His first piece for the company, the Clifford table, is among Jeffco's market introductions.
High Point Market
Legendary sales rep shares highlights of his 40-year, $154 million career
AT THE MARKET — Sales representatives seeking inspiration here should remember two words: Plato Wilson. The legendary sales rep for Heritage-Henredon Furniture (now Henredon) and Henkel-Harris racked up more than $154 million in his almost 40 years in the furniture industry, including a memorable summer in 1987 when he sold $1 million in a single day.
High Point Market
HFC distributing summer edition of Haven magazine this month
DALLAS — The Home Furnishings Council will publish the summer issue of Haven, its consumer lifestyle magazine, this month. "Because Haven is produced every quarter, retailers have a reason to invite their customers to come by at the arrival of each new magazine," said Mary Frye, Haven's executive publisher.
High Point Market
FMG buyers conference likely to be annual event
AT THE MARKET — The Furniture Marketing Group's first buyers conference, held here just before market, was so successful that it is likely to be an annual event. Buyers from 35 FMG member retailers attended the two-day conference, which included a series of vendor presentations and product demonstrations.
High Point Market
Question: Has the antidumping issue affected your shopping plans?
A: "Yes, it has. We're looking more for American furniture instead of imports. We're looking for a little better quality. America has made good quality for years and years. We're looking for that today. We're losing our jobs. Everything's closing. If we have a problem with China, what do we do next? Where do we get the help and training? It just doesn't happen overnight.
High Point Market
H.P. Showroom Assn. seeking to help downtown
For marketgoers who come to High Point once or twice a year, the city is a bustling center of business activity, and it's usually hard to get a room in a hotel or a seat in a local restaurant. But once market's over, the town loses its big-city flavor. At that point, the business district becomes dormant, taking on the typical after-5 p.

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