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Furniture|Today -- 01/31/2006
Market Daily
- Las Vegas
WMC gives update on dates, growth
At The Market— World Market Center officials announced the dates for the next winter market, when its second building will be complete and its exhibitor base will grow to include 10 of the industry's largest suppliers. Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman helped with the announcement, hitting a clock and beginning a countdown to the next winter show — Jan.
- Las Vegas
Hendricks taps Easter, promotes five execs
Conover, N.C.— Retailer Hendricks Furniture Group has promoted five executives and hired Eric Easter as executive vice president, a new post, effective Feb. 6. Easter will lead the Top 100 company's Boyles Distinctive Furniture, Norris Furniture and Interiors, Drexel Heritage and Thomasville divisions, with store and regional management reporting to him.
- Las Vegas
Cresent opens warehouse in China, targets West Coast
At The Market— Case goods manufacturer and importer Cresent Fine Furniture has opened a warehouse in China to expand service to its dealers. The 10,000-square-foot warehouse, near a Cresent source factory in the Dongguan area of southern China, can hold 20 to 30 containers. It can be expanded to about 50,000 square feet, said Richard Tomkins, director of sales and marketing.
- Las Vegas
Start now on FR bedding lines, expert urges
At The Market— Bedding producers must act now to ensure their lines will meet a stringent new federal fire-resistant mattress standard, a nationally recognized flammability expert said here. Gordon Damant, director of Inter-City Testing and Consulting Corp. of California, made that point at a seminar on FR compliance here hosted by Leggett & Platt.
- Las Vegas
Tempur-Pedic '05 sales, income jump
Lexington, Ky.— Tempur-Pedic, the largest U.S. producer of visco-elastic foam mattresses and pillows, said net sales were up 22.2% in 2005 while net income rose 32.4%. The company said worldwide sales totaled $836.7 million for the year, compared with $684.9 million in 2004. Net income of $99.3 million, or 97 cents per share, was up from $75 million, or 73 cents per share, in 2004.
- Las Vegas
L&P '05 sales up 4.2%; restructuring cuts profit
Carthage, Mo.— Leggett & Platt, the largest supplier of furniture and bedding components, said sales rose 4.2% in 2005, but net income dropped nearly 12% because of a restructuring program initiated in September. The company, who also owns a variety of businesses in commercial fixtures, aluminum products and industrial materials, said worldwide sales totaled $5.
- Las Vegas
Grid2 develops self-guided audio tour of New York stores
New York— Strategic and retail design firm Grid2 International made it easy for attendees of the Total Retail Experience, or TREX, trade show here earlier this month to visit several local retailers. TREX is a collaboration between The P-O-P Show and the StoreXpo trade show. Attendance was about 11,500.
- Las Vegas
FBI to mix containers
St. Louis— Furniture Brands International plans to start mixing and matching this year, offering retailers containers with more than one of its brands. "This will be a huge boost for this company," Chairman and CEO Mickey Holliman said during a conference call to discuss the company's fourth-quarter earnings.
- Las Vegas
Intercontinental bringing youth for American debut
At The Market— A major Brazilian case goods manufacturer will have some youth furniture as part of its first showing in the United States here this market. The product lineup from Intercontinental Furniture includes the Pickwick youth collection, which has a bunk bed with guardrails and ladder, a seven-drawer dresser, mirror and nightstand combo for $1,499 retail.
- Las Vegas
Serta space all dressed up in Vera Wang style
At The Market— The Serta showroom here is a bride's dream come true, all dressed up with Vera Wang bridal outfits. Mannequins wearing Wang's latest creations adorn the showroom and celebrate Serta's new link with the popular fashion designer. She is lending her extensive experience in bridal merchandise to the bedding maker, which is unveiling a line of mattresses designed to tap into tha...
- Las Vegas
Solimine leaves Kittle's post
Indianapolis— Industry veteran John Solimine has left retailer Kittle's here as executive vice president of merchandising and marketing, and Chairman Jim Kittle has taken on a more active role. Solimine, who joined the 16-store Top 100 company about 18 months ago, said he is looking at other opportunities in the industry, both on the supplier and retailing sides.
- Las Vegas
Art Van makes management changes
Warren, Mich.— Southern Michigan Top 100 chain Art Van Furniture has made several changes in its management. Laura Thompson has been promoted to operations manager for Bay City and Saginaw, Mich. She has been with Art Van since 1993, starting as a sales associate, and has held management posts in several stores.
- Las Vegas
Youth presence grows in Vegas
New exhibitor Opus Designs is showing its Nantucket Bay pine collection. The Funky Girl collection showcases trendy colors, boa trim and fashionable shoes and handbags designs. From Judith Edwards Designs, the line retails between $14 and $80. J.W. Pike's new vintage hockey collection takes a step back in time.
- Las Vegas
Sealy introduces third visco-elastic model
At The Market— Following up on the successful launch of two visco-elastic beds last year, Sealy is introducing a third visco model here. All carry the Posturepedic brand name. The 8-Series TrueForm bed gives Sealy a new starting price point for its visco models, $1,299 in queen. Sealy's other visco beds retail at about $1,699 and $1,999.
- Las Vegas
Color is key in Spring Air support materials
At The Market— Spring Air is featuring more than just new mattresses in its showroom here. The No. 4 U.S. bedding producer, exhibiting at Mandalay Bay in space 62270, is stepping up its marketing and merchandising support to make a stronger statement on retail floors. It says it offers a "vividly colorful" assortment of support materials.
- Las Vegas
Farmers honors Atlanta Spring Air as top vendor
Atlanta— Top 100 chain Farmers Home Furniture has named bedding producer Spring Air's Atlanta facility as its first Vendor of the Year. The two companies began their business relationship more than 25 years ago. Spring Air plants in Atlanta and Birmingham, Ala., serve Dublin, Ga.-based Farmers' 140-plus stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and North and South Carolina.
- Las Vegas
Keyword search engine ad prices on rise
New York— The cost of keyword search engine advertising is going up. The average monthly cost per search term or keyword (CPK) increased gradually in the third quarter of 2005, rising to approximately $26 in September from about $20 in July, according to the latest Search Trend Report from DoubleClick, an online advertising and marketing company.
- Las Vegas
Ireland cites 'right fit' in welcoming Therapedic as bedding brand partner
Kathy Ireland, former supermodel (she disputes this) and current solution-provider for families, especially busy moms (she's one herself), was on the hot seat. The CEO and chief designer of Kathy Ireland Worldwide, a billion-dollar brand strongly rooted in the home furnishings industry, was facing a roomful of Therapedic licensees and executives.
- Las Vegas
Sunny building bedroom factory in China
At The Market— Wood furniture importer Sunny Designs is set to build a bedroom furniture factory in China. The $3 million, 100,000-square-foot plant, expected to be ready in about six months, could produce 100 containers a month, said President Sunny Hwang. The factory will be in Tianjin, just outside Beijing, and would boost the Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.
- Las Vegas
Butler promotes Faig to vice president
Chicago— Occasional importer Butler Specialty Co. has promoted John Faig to vice president of product development, a new position. He has been with Butler for three years and had been director of product development. Butler President David Bergman said Faig has helped Butler introduce new products in a broad range of prices, styles and categories.
- Las Vegas
Comfort Designs offering Sensuede
At The Market— Contemporary metal and upholstery producer Comfort Designs is offering a new performance fabric program at the market here. The company is showcasing three pastel shades of high-end microdenier Sensuede fabric, which meets heavy-duty contract requirements for spill and stain resistance, has durability that exceeds 200,000 double rubs, and is machine washable.
- Las Vegas
Cube Route adding Chicago office
Toronto— Cube Route, a provider of on-demand logistics services, said it is establishing sales headquarters in Chicago to strengthen support for its rapidly growing North American customer base. The company also announced the appointment of Bill Green as vice president of sales, managing the company's North American sales team.
- Las Vegas
Fabric producer STI realigns management team
Kings Mountain, N.C.— Upholstery fabric producer STI has realigned its management team, naming its first-ever CEO and a new president. Sean Gibbons, who has been with the company for 13 years and was vice president of sales and marketing, is CEO. In addition to his new responsibilities, he will continue to lead the company's national sales team and direct new business development.
- Las Vegas
Design guru Post holding 2 seminars
At The Market— Retail design guru Connie Post is presenting two seminars for retailers at Restonic's showroom here this week. Post, who designed new retail display materials for the bedding producer, will present a seminar Tuesday at 2 p.m. in Restonic's space, Pavilion 1, space 2613. That session will be repeated the following morning at 10 a.
- Las Vegas
Celebrities rest on iJoy chairs
Venice, Calif.— Interactive Health's iJoy massage chair offered a popular resting spot at the recent Golden Globe Awards, where it was in a lounge used by celebrities and their guests attending the ceremonies. While relaxing in the iJoy in HBO's Luxury Lounge, celebrities could get a manicure and pedicure from a local nail spa.
- Las Vegas
Ireland licensees offer fresh ideas in bedding
At The Market— Question: What do you get when you introduce a trendy chef and a renowned landscape designer to a new mattress line? Answer: Some pretty interesting ideas, like fragrant sachets pinned to the mattress and chocolate-colored ticking. Those were a few of the more creative concepts offered by Chef Andre and Nicholas Walker, who bring food and flowers, respectively, into the Kat...
- Las Vegas
Ireland adds children's author to her resume
Los Angeles— Kathy Ireland has added a new title to her impressive resume: children's book author. Her first title, "An Angel Called Hope," has been published as part of the popular Story Reader line for preschoolers. These electronic books read themselves aloud as the child turns each page, with no buttons to press.
- Las Vegas
Greenbaum is Jeffco VP
White Plains, N.Y.— Gary Greenbaum has joined upholstery and occasional furniture resource Jeffco Furniture as vice president of marketing and merchandising, a new position. Greenbaum, most recently vice president of retail and brand development for upholstery resource Natuzzi Americas, is responsible for developing global marketing and merchandising efforts for Jeffco.
- Las Vegas
NRF sees slower furniture pace in 2006
New York— Home furnishings and furniture retail sales are expected to be less robust this year than they were last year, according to the National Retail Federation's chief economist. Rosalind Wells did not offer a specific projection for the category, or an estimate for the full year 2005. But she said the 2006 pace would be slower than the monthly gain in December 2005, when the categor...
- Las Vegas
Kathwari new NRF chair
New York— M. Farooq Kathwari has been elected chairman of the National Retail Federation, the largest U.S. retailer trade association. Kathwari is chairman, president and CEO of retailer-manufacturer Ethan Allen. He had been first vice chairman of the NRF board. During the NRF convention here last week, Tracy Mullin, the association's president and CEO, said 2005 brought "phenomenal growt...
- Las Vegas
AICO adding 3 plants
At The Market— AICO will open three plants in China this year that will increase the full-line importer's capacity by some 2,000 containers a month, CEO Michael Amini said here Sunday. Two plants will be in the Xiamen area of southern China, one turning out case goods and the other making product for the new AICO Office Systems division.
- Las Vegas
FBI 4Q profits drop 23.2%
St. Louis— Weak sales at Broyhill and raw materials price increases led to a 23.2% decline in net income in the fourth quarter for Furniture Brands International, the company reported. Sales were down 1.4% from a year earlier to $593.5 million, and earnings came to $17.1 million. For the year, sales dipped 2.
- Las Vegas
More glowing reviews
AT The Market— Buyers poured into the World Market Center Monday as the second Las Vegas furniture market opened to reviews that were nearly as glowing as last July's inaugural event. Most exhibitors said opening-day traffic was at least as good as in July, when many didn't have enough sales representatives on hand to work with the swarms of buyers.
- Las Vegas
Sealy aims to transform shopping
At The Market— Sealy is unveiling consumer-oriented, interactive technology here that it says could revolutionize the way consumers shop for and select a mattress. The new touch-screen system, called Sealy Touch, is designed to simplify and enhance the consumer's in-store experience. Consumers answer a series of questions that help them zero in on the best type of bedding for them.
- Las Vegas
Costco supplier Shadowbrook seeks wider sales
At The Market— A company formed to source rattan products for Costco is expanding its line of midpriced upholstery, leather and wood products into wide wholesale distribution. Steve Eisler, vice president of sales Americas, said the company, Shadowbrook Furniture, is targeting midpriced to high-end Top 100 retailers.
- Las Vegas
Grid2's Comfort Solutions space aims for luxe touch
At The Market— Comfort Solutions by King Koil makes a bold design and merchandising statement with its retail- and consumer-friendly showroom here. The 7,230-square-foot showroom in the World Market Center, space 546, was acclaimed by industry observers as one of the best bedding showrooms at the inaugural Las Vegas market in July.
- Las Vegas
Creative Ideas desks have dual purpose
At The Market— Creative Ideas is adding to its office and home office line here with a reception desk that can double as an executive desk. The company is introducing four versions of the desk this market. Retailing at about $4,500, the models tie in with the company's four signature lines, Mio Rettagio, Mio Sogno, Mio Amore and Mio Passione.
- Las Vegas
Englander unveils E=MC2 Sleep Gallery
At The Market— The Englander brand, now under new management, is unveiling its sleep gallery program here. Englander's new owners — the company's licensees — have lined up solidly behind the program, the E=MC2 Sleep Gallery, and are introducing it nationally here, according to Terry Spears, Englander's chairman.
- Las Vegas
Sleeptronic site features calendar
Dallas— Bedding manufacturer Sleeptronic has posted a 2006 U.S. furniture market calendar on its Web site at www.sleeptronic.com. For the past five years, Sleeptronic has mailed a printed version of the calendar to thousands of customers. The new calendar can be printed from the Web site. The online calendar, which includes dates for several national and regional markets, includes Web sit...
- Las Vegas
Captains of bedding tell which issues are key
At The Market— Mattress flammability is the most significant challenge facing the bedding business this year, and its impact will be felt throughout the industry. And the costs of providing open-flame protection in bedding will add to the already heavy inflationary pressures mattress makers are facing.
- Las Vegas
New airbeds offer comfort, innovations
At The Market— Want to inflate your bedding sales? Several new airbeds introduced here will help retailers do just that, according to vendors in that specialty sleep category. Bedding major Therapedic is entering the airbed arena with its AirTouch program. The beds feature a six-zone adjustable air chamber.
- Las Vegas
Serta updates its Web site
Hoffman Estate, Ill.— The Serta Web site has undergone a makeover to give it a clean, simple design that makes navigation easy. It also gives a fresh approach to content and presentation. "We've learned a lot from our recent research on what women find most relevant, and our new Serta Web site reflects these insights," said Angie Kelly, vice president of marketing for Serta International.
- Las Vegas
Product spotlight
Signature Home Furnishings World Market Center 709B This executive desk setup is part of Signature's growing home office line. Holland Bar Stool Mandalay Bay 61762 This contemporary swivel stool from Holland Bar Stool has a pivoting back for exceptional comfort. The stool comes in 25-inch and 30-inch seat heights.
- Las Vegas
Computerworld honors Simmons' Vann as IT leader
Atlanta— Bedding major Simmons boasts one of the nation's top information technology leaders, according to a leading technology publication. Computerworld magazine has recognized Wade Vann, senior vice president and chief information officer at Simmons, as one of the business world's "Premier 100 IT Leaders.
- Las Vegas
OSHA recognizes Simmons' N.C. plant
Charlotte, N.C.— The Simmons plant here has been recognized by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration for exceptional safety and health management. The facility was selected for OSHA's Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) by the North Carolina Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Division.
- Las Vegas
Two minutes with Martin Ploy, AICO's executive VP
Martin Ploy, executive vice president, AICO Brief resumé: Degree from William & Mary; executive vice president of retailer RB Furniture; key accounts manager, Kanowsky Furniture; senior vice president sales, BenchCraft. What is the biggest issue you are facing today? "Managing the growth, our new divisions and the demand for our product.
- Las Vegas
Fabric jobber Silver State retains public relations firm
Salt Lake City— Fabric jobber Silver State Inc. has retained Phoebe Stein Public Relations to manage its brand-building, marketing and product-awareness initiatives. Silver State sells upscale fabrics in the residential design, hospitality, health care, automotive and marine markets, including Crypton and Sunbrella, as well as environmentally friendly fabrics from Terratex, in two lines &...
- Las Vegas
Intercon establishes China warehousing
Beijing, China— Case goods importer Intercon has established warehousing here as part of an effort to achieve quicker delivery times and a greater ability to mix product in containers. The 50,000-square-foot warehouse belongs to a source factory just outside Beijing that produces bedroom and dining room furniture for Intercon.
- Las Vegas
Intercon adds online system for order entry
At The Market— Case goods supplier Intercon has launched an online back-office system to provide information on order entry and management, product, stock availability and other reports. Using a Web service application called Furnishweb, the system is available to sales representatives and eventually will be open to Intercon's dealers, the company said.
- Las Vegas
Safavieh broadens distribution of furniture
At The Market— Safavieh Home Furnishings, best known as a resource for Oriental rugs, is introducing its furniture line to furniture stores here. The company has made the furniture available to its rug dealers for three years. Safavieh, based in Port Washington, N.Y., operates 10 stores in metro New York, carrying its rugs along with high-end furniture from E.
- Las Vegas
Padma's Plantation moving headquarters
Batavia, Ill.— Rattan and wicker furniture importer Padma's Plantation plans to move into new headquarters in March. The building, which it expects to lease for 10 years, is in Carol Stream, about 30 miles west of Chicago and eight miles from its current headquarters in Batavia. The space will be close to 75,000 square feet, a step up from the 42,000-square-foot quarters it has occupied f...
- Las Vegas
Simmons aims to score
At The Market— Simmons says it is on a roll once again. Not only is business at Simmons "extremely good" these days, said CEO Charlie Eitel, but the company is aiming to score some impressive gains this year with a retooled Beautyrest lineup, a strong overall offering, and the return of a familiar Simmons image: the bowling ball.
- Las Vegas
Carpenter joins Lifestyle
At The Market— Industry veteran Bill Carpenter has been named president of Lifestyle Solutions by Elite Furniture, a San Jose, Calif.-based importer and sofa-sleeper specialist that recently entered the wood bedroom category and is looking to offer more case goods. Carpenter was vice president of key accounts at Collezione Europa, and previously worked at Boyd Furniture and Kincaid Furnit...
- Las Vegas
Vermont Tubbs appoints Harris
At The Market— Case goods producer Vermont Tubbs has named Bo Harris, who has led a bank and two start-up Internet businesses, as its president. "He's a proven leader with a solid track record of growing businesses," said Jon McNeill, co-owner of Vermont Tubbs with Fred Musone. "This is probably the clearest statement yet that Vermont Tubbs has emerged from its turnaround and is progressi...
- Las Vegas
Gordon joins JP Products/Exim
New York— Retail veteran Frank Gordon has joined importer JP Products/Exim Furniture Group as director and senior vice president of furniture sales. He will help develop retail accounts and also assist in the merchandising of the company's product line. The line includes accessories, dining and some bedroom purchased in Thailand, Malaysia and China.
- Las Vegas
Leda Furniture adds Walsh
Toronto— Case goods producer Leda Furniture has hired consultant Ed Walsh as vice president of sales and marketing for the United States. Walsh has 40 years of furniture experience, including time at Stanley and Drexel Heritage. He was vice president of sales for Delma Arredo before beginning a consulting business.
- Las Vegas
Nationwide event set for Vegas
Winston-Salem, N.C.— More than 3,000 retailers and vendors are expected to attend the Nationwide Marketing Group's semiannual buying convention, PrimeTime, at the Venetian hotel in Las Vegas Feb. 26–March 1. Nationwide, a buying and marketing services organization for appliance, electronics and furniture retailers, has about 2,400 members with some 6,500 stores and $9 billion in ann...
- Las Vegas
Orleans secures showroom
At The Market— Case goods manufacturer and importer Orleans Furniture has signed a lease for a permanent showroom on the 10th floor of the World Market Center's second building, slated to open for the January 2007 market. Dan Ide, vice president of national accounts, said Orleans opted for a permanent space after a successful show in July, when the company had a temporary space at the Las...
- Las Vegas
Home Trends rolls out China product
At The Market— Fresh from a successful introduction of imports from India at the October High Point market, Home Trends & Design is rolling out its series of dining, occasional and case pieces from China here. Company President Hank Cravey said three new collections in solid hardwoods are targeted to medium and high price points.
- Las Vegas
Parker House adopting all-import approach
At The Market— Parker House Furniture will soon shift to an all-import company after spending nearly 60 years as a domestic manufacturer. The home entertainment specialist said it plans to phase down its manufacturing operations in Azusa, Calif., by May or June. That will shift about 40,000 square feet of manufacturing space in Azusa to warehousing, giving Parker House a total of 60,000 s...
- Las Vegas
Vietnamese mfr. under new corporate umbrella
At The Market— Vietnamese case goods manufacturer The Country Co. is under a new corporate umbrella that also includes a new sourcing division. Company principals formed The American Co. in December. In addition to providing a new corporate identity, it serves as the parent company of the Vietnamese manufacturer and its U.
- Las Vegas
Circle honors Ekornes as its Vendor of the Year
Acton, Mass.— Circle Furniture, a five-store chain based here, has named upholstery producer Ekornes as its Vendor of the Year. Ekornes, which is best known for its Stressless line of reclining chairs, was chosen for the award based on voting by Circle's employees. The award was presented at the retailer's annual awards banquet at the Museum of Science in Boston.
- Las Vegas
Moroni adds custom order to imported leather line
At The Market— Moroni has become one of the first Chinese leather upholstery importers to supplement its in-stock selection with custom frames. Moroni, exhibiting here in the World Market Center, space 1009, has provided a quick-ship stocking program since its founding eight years ago. "That's what we're all about," said Jerry Ding, vice president of marketing for the California-based com...
- Las Vegas
Broyhill beefing up starting-price upholstery
At The Market— Full-line producer and importer Broyhill Furniture is introducing three upholstered groups here that are part of a new retail starting price point of $699 featuring upgraded frames. Nadine Andrews, merchandising manager for upholstery, said the values available in imported fabrics and volume pricing for domestically produced covers, coupled with the option of sourcing cut-a...
- Las Vegas
Coaster uncorks mini wine cooler
At The Market— Coaster is adding to its home bar offerings with a petite wine cabinet with a built-in cooler. Some large bar armoires include a cooler, but not every home has space for a big cabinet, the company said. Coaster's cabinet stands just 33½ inches high and measures 23 inches across.
- Las Vegas
Ruff is Woodmarc CEO
At The Market— Industry veteran Jerry Ruff has joined Winterset, Iowa-based wood furniture manufacturer Woodmarc here as CEO. He assumes some of the duties formerly held by Lou Jenright, the company's president. Also, Dennis Donahue has been named chief financial officer, a new post. Previously, he was CFO at Ello Furniture, where he worked for 16 years, and earlier spent 12 years in the ...
- Las Vegas
Lexington tourney today
At The Market— Lexington Home Brands hosts a golf tournament here today with product gift certificates as prizes. The importer conducted an invitation-only market here on Sunday and Monday at the Desert Pine Golf Club on Bonanza Road. Today, the golf outing begins with a shotgun start at noon. Players will be eligible for door prizes and can win such awards as a $1,000 Tommy Bahama gift c...
- Las Vegas
CEOs join forces as 'Young Americans'
At The Market— Four U.S. furniture manufacturing executives with non-competing lines but complementary business outlooks and demographics have aligned to show their furniture together here. The four, all CEOs of their companies, are Jon McNeil of hand-crafted wood specialist Vermont Tubbs, Griff Keefer of contemporary upholstery maker Comfort Designs, Tommy Shores Jr.
- Las Vegas
Europe's Kaymed brings visco line to Vegas
At The Market— Kaymed, an Irish company that is Europe's oldest foam producer, is offering some new twists on the visco-elastic foam line that it is now introducing in the U.S. market. Kaymed has brought its visco line to the Las Vegas Market and is showing in Pavilion 1, space 5005. The Dublin-based producer sees the United States as its "No.
- Las Vegas
Bedroom sources active
At The Market— Bedroom manufacturers, looking to keep the excitement going, are bringing out more new product here than at the first Las Vegas market in July. Without the novelty of the first market, manufacturers said they felt they needed to offer more new pieces to keep buyers happy. Also, with one market under their belts, designers and merchandisers were better prepared for the sopho...
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