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Furniture|Today -- 01/24/2005
Bedding Today
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Hofmann enjoying his new life in mountains
It's the stuff of Hollywood: A top executive escapes the pressures of the world of work and finds peace and happiness in an isolated mountain retreat. Don Hofmann, the former Simmons marketing maven, is living that Hollywood script. He's comfortably ensconced in a wonderful mountain house in an isolated neck of the woods in western North Carolina known as Sunny View.
Editor's Desk
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Buhler dealer ignites hot idea
Calling all manufacturers: Looking for that next hot idea? Why not check in with your retail customers? Canada's Buhler Furniture did, and came up with a new idea that was the talk of the Toronto winter market. According to Robert Dueck, Buhler's vice president of sales and marketing, one of the company's North Dakota dealers, Zimmerman's, asked the producer if it could modify a corner entertai...
Industry Numbers
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Hooker profit jumps 23.8%
Martinsville, Va.— Powered by sizable gains at its Bradington-Young upholstery unit and its imported furniture line, Hooker Furniture posted double-digit sales and earnings increases in its fiscal year ended Nov. 30. The case goods and upholstery resource said total sales came to $345.9 million, a jump of 12% from the 2003 fiscal year.
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RPM 2Q sales rise 7.2% as profits plunge 74.1%
Medina, Ohio— Finishings supplier RPM International said sales rose in its second quarter, but profits declined sharply as the company set aside reserves to cover asbestos-related lawsuits. Revenues increased 7.2% to $623.5 million in the quarter ended Nov. 30, compared with $581.5 million in the comparable period a year ago.
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Akzo Nobel sees return to growth
Amsterdam, Netherlands— Dutch corporation Akzo Nobel, which bills itself as the world's largest coatings manufacturer, finished 2004 strongly, but expects business to remain challenging in 2005. "Akzo Nobel has become a better and stronger company over the last 12 months and is poised for a return to growth over the next few years," said CEO Hans Wijers earlier this month.
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Ethan Allen 2Q sales up 1.7%, profits dip 4.6%
Danbury, Conn.— Retailer and manufacturer Ethan Allen posted sales of $245.3 million in its second quarter, a 1.7% increase over sales of $241.2 million in the comparable 2003 period. Net income in the quarter ended Dec. 31 declined 4.6% to $23.3 million from $24.4 million in the year-earlier period.
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Steinhoff buys struggling Hukla
High Point— Hans Klaussner's German furniture company Hukla has been sold to European and South African furniture giant Steinhoff International Holdings. A sale price was not disclosed. Hukla filed a reorganization plan with the German courts last summer, asking that it be allowed to continue manufacturing.
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Online sales boom during '04 holidays
Reston, Va.— Online consumer retail spending for the 2004 end-of-year sales season jumped 29% from 2003's November-December total, exceeding predictions and pushing online spending in 2004 to $117 billion. The report comes from comScore Networks, a consumer research firm that surveyed over 2 million consumers.
Insider's View
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Don't lose site of the human tragedy in Asia
It is impossible not to be shocked by the recent tsunami in the Indian Ocean with its cost of at least 163,000 lives and billions of dollars in damages. Furniture people had to be especially concerned when Thailand and Indonesia were mentioned. Cold, uncaring business types already have complained that shipments of aid to the affected areas will test an already strained ports system.
News
- Obituaries
Obituaries
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D.C.-area seminar to offer retail ideas
High Point— A slew of home-oriented television programs and publications seems to have American consumers more interested than ever in furniture, but are retailers benefiting? To help the home furnishings industry make the connection with the consumer, the new Retail Ideas and Services division of Furniture/Today parent Reed Business Information is planning its first seminar March 20 in t...
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Kimball leaving Home
Jasper, Ind.— Contract furniture major Kimball International is shutting down its 11-year-old residential furniture business. Because of the failure of its largest customer, the Breuners Home Furnishings chain, the company said manufacturer and importer Kimball Home will cease operations this spring after an orderly liquidation of inventory.
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Sears Canada debuts appliance/mattress stores
Toronto— Sears Canada has rolled out its long-awaited appliance and mattress store format, and also opened two Sears Home stores in western Canada. Sears Appliances and Mattress Stores have opened in the Greater Toronto Area, in Oshawa, Mississauga, Burlington and Stoney Creek, Ontario. A fifth was opened in Calgary, Alberta.
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Sleep Country ranks 20th for best employer
Toronto— Sleep shop chain Sleep Country Canada has been named one of the 50 Best Employers in Canada for 2005, placing 20th in an annual survey by consulting firm Hewitt Associates and co-sponsored by the Globe and Mail's Report On Business magazine. "From our founding in 1994, we knew that creating a positive work environment was absolutely fundamental to our success," said Chairman and ...
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EQ3 rolls out Europe galleries
Winnipeg, Manitoba— EQ3, Palliser's contemporary lifestyle furniture line and marketing program aimed at the under-35 crowd, is rolling out 30 in-store galleries in Germany, Switzerland and Austria, the first step in an ambitious European expansion plan. Peter Tielmann, Palliser's vice president of marketing and business development, said the galleries are being installed by members of BE...
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Aktrin: Spending growth to slow
Oakville, Ontario— Growth in Canadian consumer spending on furniture and bedding will slow in 2005, reflecting an increasingly sluggish housing market and largely satisfied pent-up demand, according to research company Aktrin Furniture Information Center here. "The Canadian furniture market (at retail prices) has been plowing ahead without interruption since the third quarter of 2002," Ak...
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Atlanta market draws fashion-forward crowd
Atlanta— Bold, bright colors, especially greens, and eclectic designs distinguished the furniture displays at AmericasMart here during the gift and home furnishings market. Accent furniture specialists, most of whom also offer full accessory lines, were dressed and ready to dance for the 10-day market, which ended Jan.
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John Thomas offers online service center
High Point— John Thomas Furniture, a division of Whitewood Inds. that supplies dining and kitchen furniture, has introduced a Web-based Online Service Center to better support its dealers. The center currently has three segments: order placement, information on existing orders, and a segment for creating ads.
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Rockford appoints C. Foster president
High Point— Charles "Chuck" Foster has succeeded his father, John Foster, as president of case goods and accent importer Rockford Furniture. John Foster, who founded Rockford and its subsidiaries, continues as chairman. Chuck Foster most recently was vice president of operations. "Chuck has spent the past five years learning every aspect of the business, with concentration on warehouse op...
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Weave WeatherWize line adds cut yardage option
Hackensack, N.J.— Weave Corp. has launched a cut yardage option in its WeatherWize performance line for furniture and fabric retailers. The centerpiece of the program is an in-store display fixture, which can be purchased by furniture manufacturers for their customers or by fabric stores, without having to keep any inventory.
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Ennis Fine Furniture opening Thomasville store
Meridian, Idaho— Ennis Fine Furniture will open a 14,000-square-foot Thomasville Home Furnishings store here in February, the first of three planned by the retailer over the next 12 to 18 months as it dives into dedicated stores. The store in this western suburb of Boise will be the seventh unit for the family-owned, upscale Ennis, and its first Thomasville store.
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Waxman, Kaplan honored at GNYHFA dinner-dance
New York— More than 300 friends and colleagues attended the Greater New York Home Furnishings Assn. annual dinner-dance and awards presentation last month honoring Norman Waxman, executive vice president of Schnadig, and Simon Kaplan, president of Value City Furniture, East Brunswick, N.J. Waxman received the David Druckman Lifetime Achievement Award, while Kaplan received the Jerry Gans ...
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Singapore show expanding
Singapore— In response to strong demand for space, the International Furniture Fair Singapore is adding another hall for the 2005 show, which runs March 1–5 at the Singapore Expo. By early November, the show had booked 95% of the space in the existing five halls, and IFFS said then it would remain at five halls until 100% of the space was committed.
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SunBelt holds export workshop
Singapore— Global transportation and logistics provider SunBelt Furniture Xpress International participated in a workshop here for local furniture makers and exporters that outlined the latest developments in the U.S. market. The workshop, designed to help establish Singapore as a premier furniture hub, was organized by the Singapore Furniture Industries Council.
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Fairmont Designs taps Fonville as VP of merchandising
Buena Park, Calif.— Manufacturer Fairmont Designs has hired industry veteran Ken Fonville as vice president of merchandising. The hiring came two weeks after Fonville resigned from Keller Mfg. as that company announced plans to sell off its furniture business. Fonville was president of Pennsylvania House from 1996 to 2002.
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Designer event set for High Point in Feb.
High Point— The High Point Showroom Assn., in conjunction with FFi magazine, is hosting an "Event for Designers" Feb. 22–24, with about 30 member showrooms expected to participate. The showrooms will offer discounts to interior designers and their clients. The event also will feature four CEU-accredited seminars on Feb.
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Johnson exits Big Lots
Columbus, Ohio— John Johnson, who was senior vice president, general merchandise manager for home at Big Lots, has left the company. Johnson, who was responsible for furniture, home textiles, apparel and toys, will not be replaced. Vice presidents and divisional merchandise managers for each business will instead report to John Martin, executive vice president, merchandising.
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Toronto: Solid 1st half
Toronto— Exhibitors at last week's furniture market here are confident business will continue to be solid in the first half, although gains will be incremental as both retailers and consumers remain cautious. While product remained front and center, executives said the real business of market was developing strategies to assist retailers find new profit opportunities in an environment mar...
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Rug show points to busy year
Atlanta— The rug industry is optimistic. Vendors at last week's International Rug Market at AmericasMart Atlanta showed an unusually large number of introductions and said show attendance was the best in years. A rosy sales outlook is just part of the story. Vendors foresee 2005 as a year of dramatic change in retail channels, sourcing and marketing approaches.
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Growing IBC on bedding industry radar
Fort Lauderdale, Fla.— After years of solid growth, steady expansion and major investments in plants and key people, International Bedding Corp. now finds itself appearing on something it long has sought to avoid: the industry's radar screen. That signals the presence of a company too big for competitors to ignore, and it can be an uncomfortable spot for a rising bedding player.
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Gautier rolls out first upholstery at Paris market
Paris— French manufacturer Gautier rolled out beaucoups new products at this month's furniture market here, and will bring much of the line to High Point for its U.S. premiere. Included in the introductions was Gautier's first upholstery, about a dozen sofa frames and some chairs available in leather and fabric, designed to complement the company's contemporary-flavored case goods.
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Jerome's adding distribution center
San Diego— Jerome's will open a 400,000-square-foot distribution center and headquarters here, giving the retailer the space and systems it needs to grow. The five-store, Top 100 company expects the complex will be operational by the end of March in the Rancho Bernardo industrial area, replacing its smaller downtown space, which is spread over several blocks and several attached buildings.
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HomElegance sets bigger MAFEX space
High Point— The international sales division of case goods importer HomElegance has leased 15,000 square feet of permanent space at the Malay-sian Furniture Export Exhibition in Kuala Lumpur. Golden Home Elegance previously leased about 2,500 square feet of temporary space at MAFEX. The company no longer will show at the Malaysian International Furniture Fair, held the same week in early ...
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San Fran shopping lists
San Francisco— Retailers who capped off last year with mostly solid sales gains in November and December are coming to this week's market here with typical shopping lists, but with some concern over what they'll be able to find. "We'll do what we always have done — look at the California vendors, look for specials, that kind of thing," said R.
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First FR law on books
Sacramento, Calif.— California's new mattress flammability law, which went on the books this month, will add fire-resistant protection to about 10% of all mattresses sold in the country. According to Furniture/Today Market Research and Easy Analytic Software, retail bedding sales in California last year totaled $1.
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FR (mis)information
North Highlands, Calif.— The California Bureau of Home Furnishings and Thermal Insulation is doing its part to educate retailers about the state's new open flame mattress standard. The Bureau posted a "Retailer Advisory" on its Web site — www.bhfti.ca.gov — last fall that spells out key details of the new law.
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Superstyle opens factory for stationary leather line
Woodbridge, Ontario— Stationary upholstery resource Superstyle Furniture has opened a 35,000-square-foot factory here dedicated to stationary leather upholstery in the better and best price points, which it unveiled at the Toronto winter market Jan. 15–18. The company already offers imported leather upholstery at entry-level prices.
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Mirador eyes growth in '05
High Point— Case goods importer Mirador is on track for aggressive growth in 2005 thanks largely to the expansion of its dealer base last year. The company, which got its start in 1999 as an accent specialist, is forecasting a 40% increase in sales this coming year, though it declined to disclose a dollar volume.
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Product Lounge teaming up with Desilets on Lapidus line
New York— Miami architect Deborah Desilets, partner and protégé of mid-century architect Morris Lapidus, and licensing firm Product Lounge have agreed to develop a merchandising program based on reproductions of Lapidus' designs. Product categories will include furniture, lighting, rugs, tabletop and gifts.
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Therapedic offers low-priced FR line
Middlesex, N.J.— Bedding producer Therapedic, saying safer beds shouldn't be available solely to those well-supplied with money, is bringing out a branded promotional bedding line called Medicoil that incorporates SafeTouch open-flame protection. President Gerry Borreggine said SafeTouch features a fiber barrier and fire-resistant thread.
Opinion Today
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Big changes afoot in fabric arena for '05
Few Januarys start out as stimulating as this one has. At both Showtime and Heimtextil, which ran virtually concurrently, big changes were afoot. The lifting of quotas was the major one, and its full impact will not be realized for years. There are unanswered questions, such as: Can goods in this country under quota now be shipped elsewhere, or does the importer have to wait for 2005 shipments?...
Special Report
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Update on FR compliance
High Point— A new open flame mattress standard is now on the books in California, and a similar standard has been proposed by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The bedding industry has responded to the California standard with new lines designed to retail in that bellwether state. In some cases, those new FR lines also will be rolled out nationally.
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Volvo's safety mission
Goteborg, Sweden— Volvo takes safety seriously. The company's long-standing commitment to safety started back in 1944, when the automaker installed laminated windshields and a steel safety cage for the passenger compartment. The list of safety innovations at Volvo rolls on through the decades: 1959, three-point seatbelts introduced as standard equipment in front seats; 1966, crumple zones...
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Upholstery rules still under discussion
High Point— The upholstered furniture industry was heading toward the end of a 30-year effort to enact national flammability rules, but last-minute changes by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission have put the issue in limbo. Industry groups had agreed to support a law in which fabrics would have to withstand a five-second open flame test, foam would meet the requirements of Califor...
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Tanda: Safety can be sold
Durham, N.C.— Safety messages resonate with today's consumers, according to the president of Freudenberg Nonwovens, a supplier of fire-resistant bedding products based here. In an interview with Furniture/Today, Stephan Tanda, president and CEO of the $1 billion nonwovens unit, said he has been marketing FR products for more than a decade.
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It's hip to be square: Gathering tables on the rise
High Point— As the style line between casual and formal dining has blurred in recent years, so has the distinction in terms of pieces and overall dining room configurations. The introduction of square tables by traditional dining room sources — often with an option to take them up to counter height to achieve the "gathering table" effect that's permeated casual dining of late —...
- Business Strategy
Largo's path to success
Houston— During its first dozen or so years, Largo International was about as focused as a company could be. It imported daybeds, metal beds and futons. The strategy worked just fine — until other companies decided to do the same thing. "Due to the proliferation of imports, that category became pretty saturated," said President Glenn Wakefield.
- Toronto Winter Market
Domestic bedding parries China's thrust
Toronto— While Chinese bedding for the first time made its presence broadly felt at last week's Canadian Home Furnishings Market, domestic producers also made moves to reassert their primacy on retail floors large and small. Over 95% of all sleep products sold in Canada are made in Canada, something that's not likely to change significantly soon, although observers noted that many of the ...
- Toronto Winter Market
Buhler combines cabinets with firebox inserts
Toronto— Buhler Furniture took what might seem an obvious idea and made it into a "must-see" hit of the market here — combining an entertainment center or corner cabinet with a firebox insert. "One of our retailers asked us to take the doors off one of our corner cabinets so they could put a firebox insert into it," said Robert Dueck, vice president of sales and marketing for the Wi...
- Toronto Winter Market
Sklar Peppler launches branding campaign
Toronto— Sklar Peppler launched a renewed branding effort at last week's market here with a campaign that included a new permanent showroom, a new corporate identity and a dramatically refurbished core product lineup. "Everything we do now is consumer focused," said Bob Tweedy, chairman and CEO of the Whitby, Ontario-based stationary upholstery producer.
- Toronto Winter Market
Décor-Rest scores with first wood line
Woodbridge, Ontario— Stationary upholstery producer Décor-Rest Furniture introduced its first imported wood accent collection at the winter market here. The line was the first major project of industry veteran Carl Swan, who has joined the manufacturer in the new post of director of business development.
- Toronto Winter Market
CHFA recognizes excellence in Canadian furniture
Toronto— Sofas International won its third consecutive Grand Medallion at this year's Canadian Home Furnishings Award gala during the winter market here. The contemporary upholstery division of Shermag was honored with the top prize for its Slideshow collection, designed by Sofas International President and Chief Design Officer Normand Couture.
- Toronto Winter Market
Warm social scenes in the cold of Toronto
Toronto— Buyers and exhibitors took time out to renew old acquaintances during the market here at several social events, including the Market Kickoff party and at a reception honouring the winners of this year's Canadian Home Furnishings Awards. Some 200 people attended the kickoff event, which was sponsored by Furniture/Today and Cantrex Group.
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Five brands make up IBC's arsenal
Fort Lauderdale, Fla.— International Bedding Corp. markets its bedding under several names. As a major licensee of Therapedic, it produces Therapedic bedding on the East and West Coasts. Other key brands are MiraLux, Europa, MiraRest and Airsprung. IBC President Neil Ellman said those five brands will key IBC's bedding business for years to come.
- San Francisco Market Introductions
San Francisco Market Introductions
• All prices suggested retail • M = San Francisco Mart, building 1 or 2 A-America M2-821 Strategy: Strengthening offerings in solid wood at starting price points. Planning new licensed Columbia Crest Wine Country line of casual dining for the spring. AICO M1-838 Trevi: Boulevard: Park Avenue: Cortina: Milano: Morocco: Mantel bed and cases with ornate pulls, arched headboard with bac...
- San Francisco Market Introductions
APA moves Encore factory from California to Nevada
Henderson, Nevada— APA Marketing has moved assembly and distribution of its Encore home entertainment furniture line from Commerce, Calif., to a factory here. Vice President of Sales and Marketing Rich Serlin said the new furniture market launching in July in nearby Las Vegas was a consideration in the move, but the biggest reason was an unfriendly business environment in California, with...
- San Francisco Market Introductions
PLMresearch eyes furniture industry
High Point— Seeking to simplify the complexities of global sourcing, PLMresearch is marketing to furniture makers its Web-based product development management tool already in use in the home accents industry. "We found that the problems in the furniture industry were identical to (those in) the home accessories market," said Randy Smith, a principal of PLMresearch, a Plymouth, Mass.
Store Openings
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Furniture Options installs DeCoro leather gallery
Goshen, N.Y.— Retailer Furniture Options here has installed a 2,000-square-foot DeCoro leather upholstery gallery. The gallery offers a broad selection of DeCoro's contemporary, traditional and motion styles, with a wide selection of leather grades and colors for custom orders.
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La-Z-Boy adds 2 stores, gallery
Monroe, Mich.— La-Z-Boy has opened two dedicated stores, in Tennessee and Canada, and installed a gallery in a Michigan store. Franklin, Tenn., is home to a new La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries store on Mallory Lane. John Nickerson is owner of the 15,100-square-foot unit. In Calgary, Alberta, a La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries store has been renovated to reflect the network's New Generation forma...
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French Heritage has Chicago shop
Chicago— French Heritage, a maker of French antique-inspired upscale furnishings, has opened its 20th dedicated shop in the showroom of Melvin Wolf & Associates in The Merchandise Mart here. Marilyn Wolf Hollander, president of Melvin Wolf, is a third-generation industry member. Her late grandfather had a successful store in Chicago, and her late father, Melvin Wolf, was a well-known ...
Supplement
- Fusion
Drop-shipping spurs growth for Quebeko
Terrebonne, Quebec— Drop-shipping is proving to be a blessing for Quebeko Furniture, a ready-to-assemble furniture producer that is finding expanded distribution opportunities through Internet sites and catalogs. Specializing in office, entertainment and bedroom, Quebeko has brought on industry veteran Mo Gingras as director of sales and marketing.
- Fusion
Ameriwood expands sales in office, electronics stores
Wright City, Mo.— An expanded focus on home entertainment and home office is paying off for Dorel's ready-to-assemble furniture unit Ameriwood. Best known as a promotional specialist serving discount chains in the flat-pack arena, Ameriwood has made inroads with better goods designed for office and electronics specialty stores since acquiring Altra Furniture in 2003.
- Fusion
Flatscreens dazzle at CES
Las Vegas— The flat-screen televisions that dazzled attendees at the annual Consumer Electronics Show held here this month employ a variety of cutting-edge technologies to deliver superb picture quality, but they have a couple of simple, common threads. They're extraordinarily thin. And the screens are really, really big.
- Fusion
Telecommuters' numbers growing
High Point— In the past, it's been difficult to distinguish the reality of telecommuting projections from the wishful thinking. A variety of technology interests and lifestyle advocates all have been predicting that telecommuting's day is right around the corner. As with most things, the change has been more gradual than the soothsayers promised, but there does seem to be evidence that it...
- Fusion
New home buyers requesting built-in networks for computers, audio-video
High Point— New home construction rates always have been perceived as powerful indicators for the furniture business in general, but new homes now seem to be a particularly potent opportunity specifically for the entertainment and office categories. More and more new home buyers are planning their spaces with computers and home theater and audio systems in mind.
- Fusion
Eurway stores offer sales, service to small business
Dallas— Eurway, a chain of contemporary, European-style furniture stores based here, has launched a commercial sales operation. For no fee or commitment, small business owners and corporate purchasing managers can schedule a consultation with John Vakidis, Eurway's commercial sales representative.
- Fusion
La Difference stages home media month
Richmond, Va.— This is home media event month at La Difference here, a store that continues to promote strongly the home theater category. Besides sending out promotional e-mail messages highlighting several motion upholstery and entertainment furniture vendors, the retailer will hold a Home Media Weekend event during the weekend between the end of the professional football league playoff...
- Fusion
VIA dresses up office chair line
Sparks, Nev.— Chair specialist VIA Seating is dressing up its chair line for the small office/home office market, adding nine microdenier fiber cover options. The SOHO chairs retail from $400 to $900, and the new options are available through VIA's 48-hour quick-ship program. Primarily a contract office supplier, VIA has gained a foothold in the higher end of the SOHO segment through a di...
- Fusion
Function, fashion drive high end
High Point— Both sides of the Fusion equation, office and entertainment, have been power categories for high-end furniture producers. Providing a combination of function and fashion suitable for large homes, these companies report robust results recently, especially with their larger-ticket items.
- Fusion
Cashing in on the test drive
Englewood, Colo.— For a few thousand dollars, Jake Jabs found the key to unlock the full potential of his entertainment department. The American Furniture Warehouse impresario recently installed home-theater display rooms in his stores, and the box office results have been boffo. A few new walls, some dark paint and a potent speaker system with a nice video screen playing a popular, non-o...
- Fusion
American works hard to keep current with fast-changing consumer needs
Englewood, Colo.— Entertainment furniture — both upholstery and cabinets — is strong and growing for American Furniture Warehouse. But the Denver chain also is struggling to keep current with the fast-changing category. The company has settled in nicely on the upholstery side with a home theater seating program that consumers understand and buy.
- Fusion
Superstores: Little focus, but still selling
Atlanta— Next time you need a break from the amplified hubbub of your friendly, neighborhood electronics superstore, take a look at the furniture department: You'll see a missed opportunity. There, next to the other low-traffic categories like batteries, small kitchen appliances and karaoke equipment, you will find an assortment of desks, entertainment centers and office chairs, often in ...
- Fusion
Furniture plays key role in CE explosion
As we put together this issue of your new favorite supplement to Furniture/Today, it's encouraging to note that furniture is playing a strong role on both fronts of the Fusion phenomenon. The small office/home office side has been solid and reliable in recent days, and entertainment has been rockin' and rollin' for quite a while.
- Fusion
Hooker Furniture gets a lift
Martinsville, Va.— Mechanized plasma cabinets have helped Hooker Furniture lift its domestic production. The lift cabinets, which automatically raise or lower a plasma monitor at the push of a button, have been a gangbusters 2004 addition to the Hooker lineup, contributing to the first annual increase in domestic production in several years, according to Hank Long, senior vice president, ...
- Fusion
Encore! selling mechanisms
Las Vegas— Encore!, the home theater division of APA Marketing, is now serving as the U.S. distributor for a line of Asian-made lift mechanisms. The Underwriters Laboratories-approved units will be available to furniture manufacturers as well as custom home-theater installers. Rich Serlin, executive vice president of Encore, said that custom installations of media or home theater rooms ar...
- Fusion
Aktrin: Rising Canadian office furniture sales to ease in 2005
Oakville, Ontario— Canadian demand for office furniture was up a healthy 8.8% in 2004 and should continue to grow this year, albeit at a more modest pace, according to Aktrin Furniture Information Center here. However, Stefan Wille, president of the private research company, cautions that business spending will be affected by shifts in key economic factors such as interest rates and the v...
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