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Furniture|Today -- 07/03/2006
Bedding Today
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2005: Year of ups, downs not as strong as some say
Now that this year is more than half over, let's take a look at last year. Our source will be the authoritative Top 15 U.S. Bedding Producers report, published in our June 19 issue. It provides some interesting insights on the dynamic U.S. bedding marketplace. Our report, which presents the industry's most accurate and comprehensive look at top bedding producers, documents a decidedly mixed year.
Editor's Desk
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On giving our readers a platform
In the June 19 issue, I wrote about a letter I'd received from Gary O'Reilly, a dealer who believes Internet retailers have an unfair advantage over brick-and-mortar stores. The flurry of responses I got indicates this is a highly controversial and polarizing topic. The comments just keep coming and coming and coming, including a very long fax from an anonymous person who was highly upset with ...
Industry Numbers
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Bassett sales up 5.5%
Bassett, Va.— Full-line manufacturer and importer Bassett Furniture Inds. said sales rose 5.5% in its second quarter as net income nearly tripled. The company said the gains came in spite of a soft retail business environment and continued operating losses at 25 company-owned Bassett Furniture Direct stores.
News
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Broyhill looks for leader
St. Louis— Furniture Brands International is looking for a new leader at its Broyhill Furniture division following the resignation last week of President and CEO Harvey Dondero. FBI Chairman and CEO Mickey Holliman said, "Harvey cited concerns regarding reporting responsibilities, authority and duties.
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Ethan Allen's chic summer book
Danbury, Conn.— Ethan Allen has launched its first nonsale catalog, a major marketing salvo in what its leader calls the upscale retailer's "graduation from a furniture store to an interior design company." The 40-page catalog, which looks more like a chic, minimalist magazine, "takes us and the home furnishings business to the next level," said Farooq Kathwari, chairman, president and CE...
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In search of how real consumers live
High Point— Two professors, a business expert and industrial designer knock on the door of a home and are welcomed inside. They introduce themselves but don't reveal the name of their client, Thomasville Furniture Inds., as they begin asking questions. In another city, a similar group spends half a day in a home, snapping photos of clutter where jackets, keys or shoes are tossed on the fl...
- Bedding Benchmarks
Spring Air honors key plants, executives
Elk Grove Village, Ill.— Major bedding producer Spring Air recently presented special awards to key plants and executives. Jim Nation, president and CEO of Spring Air, based here, honored three plants for excellence in quality for their performance in 2005. Spring Air Atlanta received the award for the Eastern region, while Spring Air of Columbus, Ohio, was honored in the Midwest, and Spr...
- Bedding Benchmarks
Wisconsin Simmons plant wins Tony Saliture award
Janesville, Wis.— The Tony award, the highest honor bestowed on a plant by bedding major Simmons, remains with the plant that launched it. For the second straight year, the sprawling bedding factory here is the winner of the Tony Saliture Award for Operational Excellence, which recognizes superior performance in the areas of safety, quality, customer service, cost management and productiv...
- Bedding Benchmarks
Comfort Solutions by King Koil continues support for breast cancer research
Hinsdale, Ill.— Top 10 bedding producer Comfort Solutions by King Koil will continue to support breast cancer research this year, marking another social marketing initiative in the bedding industry. Bedding producers have been leaders in coordinating marketing programs with various charitable and educational causes, believing they are giving their dealers a chance to help make a differenc...
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Berkline plant closing
Morristown, Tenn.— Upholstery major Berkline/BenchCraft will close its Baldwyn, Miss., factory in late August, putting up to 400 people out of work. The company said the 10-year-old plant is being closed in order to improve manufacturing efficiencies and hold down production costs. "In today's low-cost, highly competitive home furnishings environment, this gives us an opportunity for cost...
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Chair source growing
Jamestown, N.C.— High-end chair and case goods source P.A.M.A. Furniture is undergoing a multi-phase expansion to consolidate key operations and boost efficiencies. The process began with the creation of a new shipping department at its Jamestown, N.C., headquarters and plant in October. In December, P.
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Sears Holdings consolidating Sears, Kmart design teams
Hoffman Estates, Ill.— Sears Holdings, parent of retailers Sears and Kmart, is consolidating the home furnishings design activities of the divisions here under a new unit called Home Design. The unit will be headed by Bob St. Aubin, who was named vice president of home design at Sears in March.
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Canadel again enlarging High Point space
High Point— Casual dining powerhouse Canadel will expand its High Point showroom for the fifth time in 11 years, this time by some 14,000 square feet. For the October market, the Louisville, Quebec-based manufacturer expects to occupy the entire third floor of the National Furniture Mart, plus a portion of the adjacent Furniture Plaza building.
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Wood-Armfield filing delayed
High Point— Retailer Wood-Armfield, which shut down here and had planned to file for bankruptcy protection last month, said delays have pushed the move into July. "This thing is moving slower than we thought," said Phil Kennett, president of the former Top 100 store, adding the sticking point has been finalizing the inventory.
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Ainsworth is Emerald mktg. VP
Tacoma, Wash.— Emerald Home Furnishings has named Ron W. Ainsworth vice president of marketing, a new post for the case goods importer. He was vice president of the Consumer Products Division of Leggett & Platt, a post he'd held from 1992 until last July, when he left to spend more time with his family.
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Leeb is Hollywood Bed sales VP
Commerce, Calif.— Sleep products manufacturer Hollywood Bed & Spring Mfg. Co. has appointed Larry Leeb vice president of sales, a new position. He will oversee all sales-related activities and channels of distribution for both the bedding and bed divisions, managing the sales team and developing sales and promotional materials.
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Toronto summer show could be largest in years
Mississauga, Ontario— Some 35 manufacturers and importers with showrooms in and around the International Center here will take part in the Toronto Summer Furniture Show, set for Aug. 14–16. Organized by the Ontario Furniture Manufacturers Assn., the market features the annual Retailer of the Year gala and runs in conjunction with the Canadian Gift & Tableware Assn.
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Workplace needs inspire Duo design
Grand Rapids, Mich.— At Steelcase, designers found inspiration for a new office furniture group in their own workplace. Emily Ulrich, a design researcher for the contract office furniture manufacturer, said that as she and her colleagues watched their co-workers scramble between desks, frequently transforming tight workspaces into multi-person collaboration zones — something the off...
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Retailers tell CFMA: Help keep us in stock
Cerritos, Calif.— A panel of Western furniture retailers told members of the California Furniture Manufacturers Assn. that quick delivery, staying in stock and unparalled customer service are vital to their success, and that their suppliers should be thinking along the same lines. "In our business, being in stock and staying in stock is almost No.
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K's Merchandise reaches settlement with creditors
Decatur, Ill.— The liquidator and finance company running the struggling K's Merchandise here said the retailer has reached a settlement with creditors that should allow it to continue operating and avoid bankruptcy. Boston-based Gordon Bros. Group, which earlier this year bought out the debt position of a K's lender and gained control of the retailer, said trade creditors "voted overwhel...
- Obituaries
Obituaries
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Culp narrows loss; uph. posts 4Q operating profit
High Point— Major fabric and ticking supplier Culp Inc. narrowed the net loss in its fourth quarter, with the beleaguered upholstery fabric segment posting an operating profit for the first time in two years. Company officials said the improved results demonstrate that Culp's restructuring, which has seen the company slash domestic production and open a factory in China, is working.
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Valspar buys China coatings supplier
Minneapolis— Major coatings supplier Valspar Corp. has acquired a majority interest in Huarun Paints, one of China's largest independent coatings companies. The all-cash transaction is expected to close by the end of July. Valspar officials said it would slightly decrease the company's earnings in fiscal 2006 and 2007.
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Moderating Canadian growth forecast
Oakville, Ontario— Slippages in housing starts, consumer spending and consumer confidence are likely to moderate growth for Canadian furniture retailers this year and next, according to the latest forecast from research company Aktrin Furniture Information Center here. In its newsletter, Furniture Economics, Aktrin President Stefan Wille said the Canadian economy expanded 2.
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SLF expands line, H.P. space
Phoenix— Following the successful launch of two product categories and the planned fall rollout of a third, case goods source SLF will expand its High Point showroom at 220 Elm by 18,000 square feet, for a total of nearly 50,000 square feet, including office space. The larger space should be ready for the October market.
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AFW raising funds for military families
Englewood, Colo.— Top 100 store American Furniture Warehouse is hosting a weekend of golf and entertainment this month to raise money for a program that assists families who have lost loved ones in military service. The event to support T.A.P.S., the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, takes place July 14–17 at Heather Ridge Country Club in Aurora, Colo.
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Corrections
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GNYHFA draws crowd for golf outing, dinner
New York— The annual golf outing of the Greater New York Home Furnishings Assn. drew a large crowd for the sports activities and dinner. The dinner featured the annual presentation of the Meadoff Award for sportsmanship — in lifestyle activities rather than physical activities. The award, in memory of Sam Meadoff and presented by Gail Meadoff of Apropos Furniture, went to David Gold...
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Creative Leather to open 5th Arizona store
Phoenix— Vertically integrated leather upholstery specialist Creative Leather Furniture will open a fifth store in Arizona in metro Phoenix this September, its ninth store overall. The 18,000-square-foot store will be at 2810 South Market St. in Gilbert, a fast-growing suburb. "We are very excited to open our fourth showroom in the Phoenix area," said President Mike Gregory.
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Safavieh sets mixed-container program from Shanghai facility
Shanghai, China— Safavieh Home Furnishings, an occasional, casual dining, bedroom, upholstery and home office resource, expects to launch a mixed-container program here by late summer. The Port Washington, N.Y.-based importer will lease space and labor at a Shanghai distribution center, said Richard Miller, director of sales for the wholesale furniture division.
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Harlem launches 16th Room Place store in metro Chicago
Schaumburg, Ill.— The Room Place at Harlem Furniture has opened its 16th store here, one of two planned through early next year and part of an expansion plan that should help push the Top 100 store's sales to $200 million this year. The 21,000-square-foot leased store on East Golf Road near Woodfield Mall furthers Harlem's presence in northwest Chicagoland with its updated format, includi...
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Wray is Market Authority marketing VP
High Point— Kimberley Wray, a veteran home furnishings writer and marketing executive, has been named vice president of marketing at the International Home Furnishings Market Authority, the organization that oversees the High Point market. In the newly created post, she will supervise the group's marketing, communications and advertising efforts.
Opinion Today
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Of bleeding, building and speaking with one voice
The Canadian International Trade Tribunal's decision not to investigate whether the country's furniture makers need emergency safeguard protection from imports was typical of our federal government, which historically shows little or no interest in our industry. It's clear the CITT didn't take the time to understand the nature and structure of the industry and the product we make.
People Today
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University honors Audis
Hamilton, N.Y.— Colgate University has awarded honorary doctor of humane letters degrees to Alfred and Aminy Audi, owners of high-end furniture manufacturer L.&J.G. Stickley of Manlius, N.Y. and Stickley, Audi & Co. retail showrooms. Alfred Audi, a 1960 graduate of Colgate, is president of Stickley.
- People on the Move
People on the Move
Awards JCPenney Plano, Texas — John Kendig, vice president, merchandising director for JCPenney Direct in the hard home division, was one of the winners of the retailer's 2005 Chairman's Awards for Individual Excellence. Earlier this year, Kendig assumed responsibility for all the home business in JCPenney Direct, which includes the company's catalog and Internet businesses.
Special Report
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Performance fabrics evolve with new styling, features
High Point— Although indoor residential upholstery fabric is the star at the semiannual Showtime fabric fairs here, performance fabrics aimed at every market from residential and outdoor to contract and hospitality get more attention with every passing season. Delicate cut thread jac-quards and embroidered silks are beautiful, but a lot of consumers these days say they want something beau...
- Retail Profile
Thinking 'green'
Bozeman, Mt.— It's not easy being green. But Rowena Finegan, owner of Eco-Terric, a small boutique furniture store that specializes in earth-friendly "green" products, will be the first to tell you that the effort is well worth it. "Our mission here is to show the world that it is possible to have a beautiful and colorful home, while still caring for the planet, using healthy materials an...
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Chairs, sofas go armless in quest for stylish
High Point— It could be considered the Venus de Milo of furniture, and not just because it's armless. For some consumers, armless sofas and chairs provide a chic way to dress up living spaces. And at retail, it's another attractive avenue to drive sales with new looks. While it's more likely to be seen with smaller furniture and thus probably not the start of a major trend, armless sofas,...
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