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Furniture|Today -- 05/02/2005
Bedding Today
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Eric, your service was prime, let's sing your praise in rhyme
Mattress Discounters, based in Virginia Beach, Va., has heard from a number of satisfied customers over the years. But until recently the bedding chain never had gotten a poem from a happy customer. Roger Magowitz, president of Mattress Discounters, said the poem was sent to one of the company's store managers, Eric Brown.
Editor's Desk
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On our industry's most critical issues
The easiest way to find out what issues are most important to our readers is to ask them. Which is what I did recently when planning our next Leadership Conference. I posted a question on the Furniture/Today Web site that asked you to tell me what you thought our industry's most critical issues are. I now am staring at a thick stack of your responses.
Industry Numbers
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Chromcraft profits surge 51.1%
Delphi, Ind.— Manufacturer-importer Chromcraft Revington's first-quarter profits surged 51.1% despite a sales decline of 3.9%. Sales in the quarter ended April 2 slipped from $46.5 million a year ago to $44.7 million. Net income jumped to $2.3 million from $1.5 million in the comparable 2004 quarter.
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Stanley sales up 16% in 1Q
Stanleytown, Va.— Case goods manufacturer and importer Stanley Furniture Co. reported first-quarter sales of $83 million and net income of $5.8 million, increases of 16% and 25%, respectively, over the prior year's period. It was the 12th consecutive quarter of sales growth and the sixth straight quarter of double-digit sales gains.
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Sears Canada sales slip, profits dip 16.3%
Toronto— Home furnishings and other non-weather-dependent categories were rare first-quarter bright spots for Sears Canada, which said sales in the 13-week period ended April 2 slipped 0.8% to C$1.32 billion from C$1.33 billion in last year's first quarter. Same-store sales for this country's second-largest furniture and bedding merchant fell 2.
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L&P sales up 9.6%, profits rise 15.9%
Carthage, Mo.— Components kingpin and metal bed maker Leggett & Platt said first-quarter net income rose 15.9% on a sales increase of 9.6%. The nation's largest supplier of furniture and bedding components said overall unit volume essentially was even with the 2004 first quarter, so the bulk of the sales gain resulted from inflation.
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Flexsteel sales, earnings fall
Dubuque, Iowa— Upholstery and case goods producer Flexsteel Inds. said sales in its third quarter ended March 31 declined 5.3% from a year ago to $101.3 million. Net earnings fell 33.1% to $1.7 million, despite one-time gains of about $200,000 from the sale of a former plant and $700,000 from a beneficial tax ruling.
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Select Comfort 1Q sales up 23.5%
Minneapolis— Airbed manufacturer-retailer Select Comfort reported a 23.5% first-quarter sales gain, paired with a net income jump of 17.9%. In the quarter ended April 2, Select Comfort sales were $172.8 million, compared with $140 million in the first quarter of 2004. Profits were $8.6 million, up from $7.
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FBI sales down 5.3% in 1Q
St. Louis— Furniture Brands International's first-quarter sales declined 5.3% from the same period a year ago, largely because of weakness in the midpriced part of its lineup, the No. 1 U.S. manufacturer said. Earnings fell 25.4% as higher raw materials costs and a competitive pricing environment squeezed profit margins, Chairman and CEO Mickey Holliman said in a conference call.
News
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Shipping rates climbing
High Point— The cost of importing goods from Asia is increasing thanks to a hike in shipping rates. The increase, effective May 1, raises prices by $285 per 40-foot container for shipments from Asia to the West Coast. On 40-foot containers sent to the East Coast through the Panama or Suez canals, the increase is $430.
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Kmart sets Martha Stewart RTA
New York— Martha Stewart will roll out a line of imported, promotionally priced ready-to-assemble furniture under the Martha Stewart Everyday brand at Kmart stores across the United States in early June, with the first national promotion set for July. The initial Martha Stewart Everyday Rooms will offer 20 SKUs with product for the bedroom, kitchen and living room, said Jonathan Chernes, ...
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U.S. manufacturer Jasper Cabinet reborn
Jasper, Ind.— High-end occasional producer Jasper Cabinet has been resurrected by a new investment group and management team. Two and a half years after closing its doors, Jasper reopened for business shortly after the April High Point market. Known once for its secretaries, the company is bringing back some of its old designs as well as entertainment armoires, fireplace armoires, curios ...
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Duralee brings back classic Cyrus Clark English florals
Bay Shore, N.Y.— Print specialist Duralee Fabrics here has gained the rights to shop the archives of the defunct Cyrus Clark Co. and is reintroducing some of that company's classic English florals. To appeal to the current market, Duralee has re-colored, revamped and revived some of the most popular chintz patterns from the past 80 years.
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Duralee acquires N.C. facility
Morganton, N.C.— Duralee Fabrics has purchased a 180,000-square-foot facility on 32 acres here to accommodate the growth of its Duralee and Highland Court fabric lines and its Duralee Fine Furniture collection. Duralee will begin making the line of upholstery, case goods and accent furniture at the Morganton facility this month and eventually will move all furniture production there.
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Zocalo debuts gallery program
San Francisco— Zocalo, an importer of exclusively designed case goods, occasional and leather upholstery, has introduced a retail gallery program called Inspired Living by Zocalo. At the April market in High Point, Zocalo lined up enough commitments to open a gallery a month through the end of the year.
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New Paris show on tap Jan. 26–30
High Point— A representative of the organizers of the Maison & Objet home décor show in Paris was at the April market here promoting a new French furniture show to debut next January, called Planete Meuble Paris. Guillaume Prot, commercial manager for the Maison organizers, said Planete Meuble, or Furniture Planet, will seek to serve the same mass-market furniture manufacturers t...
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Akzo Nobel buying Swiss paint company
Arnheim, the Netherlands— Finish supplier Akzo Nobel is expanding its Decorative Coatings division by buying a Swiss architectural paint company. The company said it will acquire Swiss Lack, Switzerland's largest paint company, from the Conzzeta Group by the end of the year. The deal, which will make Akzo Nobel the biggest coatings company in Switzerland, includes Swiss Lack's brand portf...
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Ashley likes Las Vegas
Las Vegas— Even before the first market here, Ashley Furniture is set to triple its space with a new showroom in the second phase of the World Market Center. The manufacturer and importer will take 62,000 square feet on the top level of the 15-story, 1.6 million-square-foot building, said Babs Blair, WMC leasing director.
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Post upholstery a hit
High Point— Retail designer and brand strategist Connie Post has teamed with upholstery manufacturer Lloyds of Chatham to produce an extensive line of midpriced upholstery. The goods are part of a coordinated merchandising package that includes seating, case goods, accent furniture and just about anything else needed to decorate a room.
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After strong '04, Canadian spending expected to slow
Oakville, Ontario— After solid advances in 2003 and 2004, Aktrin Furniture Information Center here is forecasting that growth in Canadian consumer spending on furniture and bedding will slow in 2005 and 2006. This reflects a similar slowdown in housing starts and less-than-buoyant trends in overall spending on durable goods.
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BB&T sets Atlanta team
Atlanta— Five veteran lenders have joined BB&T Factors to open a new office here to offer domestic and international factoring services. The Atlanta team includes Darren Linder and Neal Harm for international services, and Phil Allard, Kirk Brown and David Ellis for domestic. Linder, now managing director for BB&T Factors International Group, previously was managing director of th...
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Scheffer adds chairman post at Stanley
Stanleytown, Va.— Jeff Scheffer has been elected chairman of the board of case goods manufacturer and importer Stanley Furniture Co. He succeeds Albert Prillaman, and remains president and CEO. Prillaman will continue as lead director on the board as he retires from active management. Scheffer's election as chairman completes a succession plan begun in 2001, when he joined Stanley as pres...
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Lexington revamps team
Lexington, N.C.— Full-line manufacturer and importer Lexington Home Brands has made several organizational changes, aiming to foster growth and improve customer service. Jim Myers, formerly vice president of product development, is in the new post of senior vice president of development for emerging markets.
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Echeverria appointed mfg. VP at King Koil
Hinsdale, Ill.— Top 10 bedding producer King Koil has named former Serta executive Leo Echeverria vice president of manufacturing. "Leo is one of the top manufacturing executives in the mattress industry," said Larry McKay, president of King Koil. "His background makes him uniquely qualified to help our plants become more efficient, reduce costs, and produce exceptional quality bedding pr...
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Okrusko gets Klote post
Maryville, Tenn.— Gary Okrusko has joined Klote International as corporate sales manager, a new position at the upholstery producer. He has been in the industry for over 15 years, most recently as vice president of sales for upholstery and Western region sales manager at Palliser, and earlier as director of sales and marketing at Berkline Canada.
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Alan White to consolidate, close factory in Arkansas
Stamps, Ark.— Upholstery manufacturer Alan White Furniture will close its 225,000-square-foot plant here, with manufacturing operations ceasing at the end of June. In a statement, the company said it will consolidate production at plants in Shannon, Miss., and Sulligent, Ala. Alan White's customer service and clerical support operations will remain in Stamps.
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La-Z-Boy Contract name, Miss. plant acquired by Best
Ferdinand, Ind.— Upholstery manufacturer Best Home Furnishings' owners last week acquired La-Z-Boy Contract Furniture, including the name and a plant in Leland, Miss. Officials did not disclose the purchase price, sales volume or other details. The Lange family, which owns Best, said it will operate the contract division as a separate unit, producing office seating and other office and he...
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Hughes heads Sauder's Studio RTA
Pico Rivera, Calif.— Bob Hughes has been promoted to president of ready-to-assemble specialist Studio RTA, replacing company founder Paul Reitzin, who stepped down after 18 years. Hughes was a partner and executive vice president of the designer and importer of contemporary, mixed-media RTA. He has been with the company since 1988, a year after its launch.
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Gennet resigns at Lazar
Los Angeles— Michael Gennet has resigned as president of contemporary upholstery producer Lazar Inds. after nearly two years at the helm. His plans weren't clear, but Lazar officials indicated his departure was voluntary. There are no immediate plans to hire a successor. The company said Barry Lazar, founder and CEO, will assume many of Gennet's former duties.
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McClelland gets new FBI post
St. Louis— Furniture Brands International has named Joseph P. McClelland Jr. as vice president of logistics and supply chain management, a new position. He will oversee domestic and international warehousing and related logistics and supply chain management issues for the manufacturer-importer.
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Excelsior Designs to unveil Nicole Miller line in Sept.
Amityville, N.Y.— Contemporary furniture manufacturer Excelsior Designs has teamed with fashion designer Nicole Miller for a licensed collection of furniture, to debut at High Point's premarket in September. The Nicole Miller Collection is the designer's first foray into home furnishings. The 70-plus-piece introduction of case goods, and leather and fabric upholstery will reflect Miller's...
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Kovacs eyes furniture license
New York— Lighting designer George Kovacs will expand his brand into furniture through licensing arrangements in conjunction with Concept Marketing Group. Kovacs has been a visionary force in modern lighting for 51 years. "I have always wanted to do more than just lighting," he said. "Now that my lighting collection is growing thanks to Minka, we can concentrate our creative energies on f...
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BDO: February orders off 1%
High Point— U.S. furniture factory orders in February were 1% below the year-earlier level for the second month in a row, but it's nothing to panic over, according to BDO Seidman. Last year started strong, with orders up 13% from the previous year, and the industry is doing OK to come close to that, the accounting and consulting firm said in its monthly Furniture Insights newsletter.
- Obituaries
Robert Emmett Tierney, veteran rep, importer
Los Altos, Calif.— Longtime sales representative and importer Robert Emmett Tierney has died after a six-month battle with prostate cancer. He was 84. Tierney served as a bombardier and navigator on a fighter plane during World War II, flying 53 night missions over Germany, downing numerous enemy aircraft and bombing three trains.
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RTG in San Antonio, 50 years after 'scout' Morty
San Antonio— When Rooms To Go opened its 99th store here in March, it held a special meaning for RTG partner and industry legend Morty Seaman. About 50 years ago, Seaman was in the Air Force and his father, Julius, was running a single, 10,000-square-foot, $150,000-a-year store in Brooklyn, the beginnings of what would become the Seaman's furniture store chain.
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Spring Air taps Sullivan, Wagener
Elk Grove Village, Ill.— Bedding major Spring Air has added two veterans to its corporate staff. Paul Sullivan, most recently with Symbol Mattress, has been named executive vice president, and Bob Wagener, most recently with Serta, was appointed vice president of sales. Sullivan succeeds Cleve Murphy, who has left Spring Air.
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Stainsafe investor set
Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.— Furniture Service Inds., parent of home furnishings protection and services company Stainsafe, said Palm Beach Capital Partners has signed a letter of intent to make a capital investment in the company. Steven Friedman, chief financial officer of Furniture Services Inds.
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Furnish St. Louis partners with FBI
St. Louis— Owners of the former Kloss Furniture here have strengthened their ties with Furniture Brands International companies with the opening of their third Thomasville store, as well as two Lane and two Broyhill stores, with plans for more units. In the southwest St. Louis suburb of Manchester, the company — now known as Furnish St.
Opinion Today
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Compelling product benefits become consumer priorities
When Purina announced in my living room one evening that my two indoor felines, Ben and Jerry, were lacking essential vitamins found in outdoor plants, I stared at the TV in shock. Who knew? I bought Iams cat food. I thought it was the best. But with that ad, I began to wonder. Purina promised their new formula would give me peace of mind.
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Don't pull rug from under consumers' shopping needs
I am known for being an extremely tough retail critic. I'm only trying to help ... honest. Home furnishings retailing is not a popularity contest. It's a tremendously complex business. A successful retailer must provide the right product and price points for a target customer. There's location, location, location.
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Letter: ISPA's opinion could harm industry
ISPA's opinion of a 2007 implementation of a national mattress flammability standard (Furniture/Today, March 14, page 1) is misleading and could harm the industry it seeks to protect. The CPSC remains under congressional directive to move expeditiously and the facts continue to support an implementation date of July 1, 2006 or earlier.
Special Report
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Ladies' vanities add romance, elegant touch to bedrooms
High Point— Occasional furniture went retro at the April High Point market with the return of the lady's vanity. Once a popular item, the vanity had all but disappeared in recent years until a resurgence that began with the introduction of Thomasville's Humphrey Bogart line in October 2002. At this spring show, ladies' vanities had a much greater presence with several producers and import...
Store Openings
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La-Z-Boy unveils five new-generation stores
Monroe, Mich.— La-Z-Boy Inc. has opened five dedicated new-generation Furniture Galleries stores, in Georgia, Kentucky, Massachusetts, North Carolina and Texas. Alpharetta, Ga., is home to a 10,600-square-foot La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries on North Point Parkway. Tom DeGoey co-owns the store with Bob Breunig and Ed Breunig III.
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S.C.'s Tolly installs Berkline
Greenville, S.C.— G F Tolly & Son Furniture Co. here has installed a Berkline Comfort Gallery. The gallery is 3,185 square feet and offers a full line of Berkline upholstery groups, sectionals, leather and recliners. G F Tolly has a total of 15,000 square feet of floor space.
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Klavohn's relocates Illinois unit
Geneseo, Ill.— Klavohn's Home Furnishings has moved from its original location downtown here to a growing section just off Interstate 80. The new store is 18,000-square-feet and features a Bassett gallery, a Lane Comfort Shop, Serta bedding and other medium-priced furniture manufacturers. The new store resembles the 25,000-square-foot Klavohn's unit in Davenport, Iowa.
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England adds Wis. galleries
New Tazewell, Tenn.— Upholstery maker and La-Z-Boy division England has opened galleries in two Wisconsin stores. Colder's Furniture and Appliance has dedicated 4,000 square feet to an England gallery in its 92,300-square-foot store in Grafton. The chain's three other stores are in West Allis, Delafield and Oak Creek, Wis.
Supplement
- Global Textiles Today
Proposte/Scoperta fabric introductions
Any Tekstil Scoperta www.any.com.tr This Turkish weaver has added looms to increase its capacity. Introductions include: Aste Landwehr Proposte www.landwehr-textil.com German company introducing updated colors in menswear-inspired houndstooth checks, plaids and tweeds. Astra-Nova Proposte www.astranovatendaggi.
- Global Textiles Today
Nature
A. Rustika Rustika, a brand of Spanish manufacturer Antecuir, draws on the inherent tranquility of nature for the patterns and colors of its upholstery designs, including Sirtaki, debuting at Scoperta. B. Satin Textiles A warm and wooly hide inspired the new article Llama being introduced by Thai producer Satin Textiles, exhibiting at Scoperta.
- Global Textiles Today
A wealth of style within easy reach
During the second week of May 2005, fabric producers and buyers from around the world gather near the Italian-Swiss border to exhibit and buy upholstery and other decorative home textiles. And although it may seem like one big event on the surface, the fact is that the two main shows — Proposte and Scoperta — are distinctively different but quite complementary.
- Global Textiles Today
Mills focus on design, service for growth
Companies showing at this month's Proposte fabric fair in Cernobbio, Italy, Scoperta in nearby Chiasso, Switzerland, and in various villas and hotels around the area are playing to their strengths — whether that is design, service or price — and making investments to ensure that they remain competitive.
- Global Textiles Today
Hollywood glamour, cottage on the rise
European cottage and Hollywood glamour from the 1940s were among the design influences at last month's International Home Furnishings Market in High Point, N.C. Fabric selections helped set the tone for those styles as well as the still-strong contemporary category in upholstery. Black-and-white combinations were crisp and fresh, and variations of pink, orange and red were seen at all price lev...
- Global Textiles Today
Classic
A. Aste-Landwehr Classic menswear patterns like this houndstooth check are showcased at the Proposte showroom of German producer Aste-Landwehr. B. Covington Fabrics An exuberantly colored paisley from the Age of Aquarius collection, Ravi is a new pattern from American fabric source Covington Fabrics, showing at the Grand Hotel di Como.
- Global Textiles Today
Modern
A. Spandauer Velours Freshly colored Disco is debuting at the Spazio Progress booth of German velvet producer Spandauer Velours. B. Aznar Spanish fabric source Aznar is honoring Coco Chanel with its couture-inspired Tweed pattern, displayed at Proposte. C. Quaker Fabric American mill Quaker Fabric, exhibiting at the Grand Hotel di Como, is introducing Peacock, a delicately colored swirling patt...
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