|
|
|
|
Furniture|Today -- 02/12/2007
Bedding Today
-
FR issue attracts little retailer interest in Vegas
An issue that helped launch the largest introduction of bedding products in history was, strangely enough, virtually a non-issue in Las Vegas Market showrooms. Vegas was the last major bedding market before a federal open-flame mattress standard goes on the books in July. Thus, bedding producers of all sizes rolled out a variety of new fire-resistant bedding lines in Vegas.
Editor's Desk
-
A tale of two ongoing stories
This past Wednesday was surreal. Within an hour, two pivotal stories came to light. First, we broke the news detailing the U.S. Department of Commerce's preliminary determination of antidumping duties for certain manufacturers and importers of wooden bedroom furniture, stemming from the DOC's first administrative review.
Industry Numbers
-
Flexsteel's 2Q net income nearly triples to $1.41 million
Dubuque, Iowa— Upholstery producer and importer Flexsteel Inds. said sales for its most recent quarter were essentially flat when compared with the same quarter a year earlier, but net income nearly tripled. The company said sales were hampered by soft business conditions in its residential furniture and recreational vehicle seating divisions.
-
Equity holders OK Foamex plan
Linwood, Pa.— Foamex International, which is poised to emerge from bankruptcy protection this quarter, said its equity holders have voted unanimously in favor of the company's reorganization plan. The vote follows an earlier positive vote by holders of the foam supplier's senior secured notes. "Over the past several months, we have worked diligently to address the interests of all of our ...
-
Havertys January sales down 3%
Atlanta— Havertys said its January sales were down 3% from the comparable month last year to $64.9 million as same-store sales fell 4.4%. "Our January started very slowly, with weak business for the New Year's holiday in many of the markets we serve," said President and CEO Clarence Smith. "We experienced a gradual increase in momentum throughout January, with total written sales off by a...
-
Select Comfort 2006 sales increase 16.9%
Minneapolis— Despite a difficult fourth quarter that saw comparable-store sales from its company-owned stores fall 9%, airbed specialist Select Comfort recorded sales and earnings increases for 2006. The company said last year's sales totaled $806 million, up 16.9% from 2005. Net income, meanwhile, was 7.
News
-
Hooker ends ESOP, says move may save $80M
Martinsville, Va.— Case goods and leather source Hooker Furniture has dropped its employee stock ownership plan to save millions of dollars over the next 19 years. While ending the ESOP will cost Hooker $18.4 million for a one-time charge, the plan has cost more than $10 million over the past three years and could have cost $80 million or more going forward, the company said.
-
Lifestyle buys land, sets 2nd H.P. market building
High Point— Major furniture importer Lifestyle Enterprise has acquired land adjacent to its current market showroom building here from the City of High Point for $1,665,000. Its contract with the city commits Lifestyle to build a $10 million, 110,000-square-foot showroom and office building, expected to be completed by October 2009.
-
Rose hopes to stay open with creditors deal
High Point— Rose Furniture has reached an agreement with its creditors committee that calls for partial payment of its debts and allows the retailer to stay in business, avoiding Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation. Unsecured creditors would receive a cash payment equal to 11.5% of their allowed claims within 15 days of the plan's effective date, Rose said in a release.
-
Danker, Sheffield owners buy Gallahan's store in Va.
Fredericksburg, Va.— The owners of high-end Danker Furniture in Gaithersburg, Md., and Sheffield Furniture in greater Philadelphia have acquired the name and lease of retailer Gallahan's here. Severegn Furniture Management bought the name and other Gallahan's assets from Stone-Lee for an undisclosed sum.
-
Miller is Gabberts president
Minneapolis— Upscale retailer Gabberts has promoted Rebecca Miller, a former consultant and Target Corp. manager, to president, relieving Chairman Jim Gabbert of more day-to-day duties. Miller, with over 25 years in executive, sales and consulting posts, joined Gabberts in January 2006 as vice president and general manager.
-
Mattress Firm to acquire Las Vegas bedding chain
Houston— Mattress Firm, one of the nation's largest bedding specialty retailers, is set to enter Las Vegas with the acquisition of Bedtime Mattress Co., a 15-store, Vegas-based mattress retailer operating as Bedtime and Mattress Direct. Mattress Firm, based here, said it has signed a letter of intent to acquire Bedtime Mattress.
-
Philly's Mealey's bought by Dallas equity firm
Philadelphia— Mealey's Furniture and Mattress, which operates three stores and a clearance center in the Philadelphia area, has been acquired by a Dallas-based private equity firm. The new owners, Parallel Investment Partners, said they plan to grow the business in metro Philadelphia, and already have identified several potential locations for new stores.
-
La-Z-Boy plant workers want vote on union
Dayton, Tenn.— Some workers at a La-Z-Boy plant here have petitioned for a union election, according to the National Labor Relations Board. Representatives of the company and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 175 are scheduled to meet Feb. 13 to discuss how many workers would make up a collective bargaining unit.
-
Bob's sets 1st metro NY unit
Manchester, Conn.— Bob's Discount Furniture will open its 28th store in Farmingdale, N.Y., this month, its first showroom on Long Island and in the greater New York City area, and second in New York state. The 32,000-square-foot showroom on Broad Hollow Road will hold a grand opening Feb. 15. President Bob Kaufman said he's proud to be opening the new store.
-
Roth launches consulting firm
Las Vegas— Industry veteran Ed Roth, who has worked in sales at Universal and most recently Somerton Home Furnishings, has launched a furniture consulting company that will work with retailers on product design, development and sourcing. Roth & Associates aims to help retailers develop private-label product exclusive to their markets.
-
Gerety joins Hunter
Chester County, Pa.— Brand strategy consulting firm Hunter has hired Shawn Gerety, a former furniture manufacturer's representative and retailer, as vice president of sales for U.S. and international markets. Gerety said he hopes to bring Hunter's expertise in building brands to the furniture industry.
- Obituaries
Hans J. Wegner, acclaimed Danish designer
Copenhagen, Denmark— Hans J. Wegner, an internationally acclaimed furniture designer in Denmark for decades, has died. He was 92. Wegner was known for his chair designs, including his breakthrough Round chair in 1949, which are credited with helping establish Denmark as a leader in modern furniture.
-
Sauder to make Ikea kitchen cabinet components
Archbold, Ohio— Sauder Woodworking has signed a deal with Ikea to produce kitchen cabinet components for the eastern two-thirds of its North American stores. Starting mid-year, Sauder will manufacture Ikea's Akurum kitchen frames and its Rationell kitchen shelves over a three-year period. The frames and shelves are currently made in Eastern Europe.
-
After 30 years, Ontario store closing doors
Port Perry, Ontario— Upscale retailer Settlement House Shops here is going out of business after 30 years as owner Daphne Mitchell pursues other interests. Daniel Lynch Sales is coordinating what it calls the "Great $2 Million Going Out of Business Sale," which began in late January and is expected to run for 60 days or less, said Chris Lynch, co-CEO of the liquidator and promotions speci...
-
Magnussen taps Romberg
High Point— Importer Magnussen Home has hired Barry Romberg to fill the new post of product introduction manager. He will coordinate product development in all the company's divisions, including Biltmore Estate for Your Home. Romberg reports to Nathan Cressman, vice president of merchandising and design.
-
Flexsteel nearing 600 in-store galleries mark
Dubuque, Iowa— Midpriced upholstery producer Flexsteel is working toward a milestone — growing its gallery network to 600-plus locations in the not-too-distant future. Gallery programs have "been our focus for 20 years," said Lee Fautsch, Flexsteel's vice president of sales, home furnishings.
-
Leath planning promotions at 5 Fla. Modernage stores
Atlanta— Leath Furniture has hired Planned Furniture Promotions to run high-impact sales at five of its Modernage stores in South Florida in an effort to boost flagging business. The sales are expected to begin sometime after President's Day in Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines, south Miami and Dade County, said Leath CEO Ron Phillips.
-
Importer Scott Thomas moves headquarters to Cleveland suburb
Cleveland— Scott Thomas, an importer of high-end case goods, has relocated its headquarters from downtown to Twinsburg, Ohio, a Cleveland suburb. The office has moved to the company's 75,000-square-foot distribution center and office, built in Twinsburg in the late 1970s and expanded in 2003. Scott Thomas had been in downtown Cleveland for about seven years.
-
New Brussels fabric show set for Sept. 7–10
Brussels, Belgium— A new fabric show, Salon de textile, will launch in the fall in this city's Tour and Taxis venue, site of the former TIP show, which has been eliminated. Trade Link, the new show's organizer, said exhibitors at Salon will be chosen to meet certain criteria, including high quality.
-
Feizy hits home run with Porter, Lee rug lines
Las Vegas— Feizy Rugs said the two licensed lines it introduced at the market here with licensors Tracy Porter and Sandra Lee were home runs. Both made personal appearances to greet buyers here. Porter was on hand to show three groups of hand-knotted rugs retailing in the high-end range of $1,400 to $1,600 for a 5 by 8 size.
-
100 Angels urges support for children's hospital
High Point— The 100 Angels Foundation, a furniture industry charity, is spearheading a project to encourage all segments of the home furnishings industry to support St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Sales representative Marty Libowsky, founder of 100 Angels, said Miskelly's Furniture in Jackson, Miss.
-
Price replaces Moretti on HP market board
High Point— The High Point Market Authority board has named David Price of retailer Toms-Price, Wheaton, Ill., as a member to replace Tony Moretti. Moretti was the retail representative while he worked at Jordan's in Avon, Mass., but left the store to join La-Z-Boy in a merchandising role. Market Authority President Brian Casey also said the market will launch a program at the upcoming ma...
-
Louisville debuts FR pad
Louisville, Ky.— Louisville Bedding has invented a fire-resistant mattress pad and boxspring cover set that it says offers a cost-effective way to meet the upcoming federal mattress flammability standard for consumers who are interested in FR protection but are not ready to replace their mattress.
-
Hall & Oates headline market entertainment
High Point— High Point Market attendees can hark back to the 1970s next month with a concert lineup headlined by rockers Daryl Hall and John Oates. Also on the bill: "Two Tickets to Paradise" singer Eddie Money; jazz, blues and gospel great Melva Houston; market veterans The Cookie Band; and Morris Day and the Time, Prince's funky co-stars in "Purple Rain.
-
Canadians honor Owen
Toronto— Canadian bedding industry veteran Hugh Owen received the Ontario Furniture Manufacturers Assn.'s 2007 Lifetime Achievement Award during the winter market here in recognition of his contributions to the industry and community. "Through his vision and leadership, Hugh has established and developed the Kingsdown brand as a significant bedding resource," said Laine Reynolds, OFMA cha...
-
Kreiss, Agassis score in Vegas
Las Vegas— Executives of upper-end manufacturer/retailer Kreiss came away from the compay's first market here with the feeling it was well along in efforts to expand its line into select retail galleries, and to introduce its first branded collection with tennis stars Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf.
-
Metal bed sources hammer out strong Vegas show
Las Vegas— Metal beds vendors showing at the winter market here were successful with both introductions and existing product, thanks to brisk showroom traffic. At Fashion Bed Group, officials said opening day was about as busy as the opening day of the first market here in July 2005. This time, the company had a 16,000-square-foot space in the new Building B, about 10,000 square feet bigg...
-
Plaza show to concentrate on upholstery for future markets
Las Vegas— Organizers of an offsite show for former Las Vegas Furniture Show exhibitors at the Plaza Hotel and Casino will focus on attracting upholstery sources for future markets here. Ben Nielsen, president of Cambridge of California Upholstery, said four major upholstery resources had expressed interest in the venue.
-
New Beautyrest takes off
Las Vegas— Simmons launched its new flagship Beautyrest line at market here, and company executives said dealers were impressed with the line's values. "The response was strong because our dealers had a great response to the Beautyrest feels, the point-of-purchase materials illustrating the three key benefits of our Pocketed Coils — motion separation, conformability and durability &...
Opinion Today
-
'Distractions' claims sound a little desperate
During the Las Vegas Market, my day typically starts with a 7:30 a.m. breakfast meeting of the Furniture/Today editorial staff. But on one such morning at last month's market, my seat was uncharacteristically empty at the appointed time. I strolled into the Golden Nugget's buffet restaurant about 20 minutes late, hoping no one would notice that I had overslept.
People Today
-
Singer joins Strategic Decisions as executive VP
Thomasville, Ga.— Consumer research and consulting firm Strategic Decisions has hired Steve Singer as executive vice president, a new position at the company. He reports to Al Wight, president and founder. Singer will be responsible for developing new research products for existing clients, adding new clients and offering consulting services.
- People on the Move
People on the Move
Executives Daewoo International Seoul, South Korea — The fabrics division of Daewoo International, a South Korean trading and investment company, has made two management appointments. Byeong Eun Yoon has been named president and Jae Gon Kim has been named factory manager. In a letter to customers, Hans Vlessing, chairman, and Ray King, president, of Hans Vlessing International Textile Age...
Special Report
-
Leather: Finding the right blend
High Point— As North American stationary leather upholstery resources rush to China to make use of less costly materials and labor, a handful of manufacturers are double-dipping, profiting from production both here and abroad. This "blended strategy" appears to be working well for those involved.
- Fashion Report
Behind the Design
One of the hottest design trends for 2007 is the influence of global cultures and our desire to cultivate a worldly look in the home. While we may glance overseas for inspiration, let's not overlook the all-American regions and their unmistakable cultural character. Furniture styles based on our own country's customs and local materials have new appeal as we look for unique contributions to our...
Supplement
- Accessories Today
Accessory action strong at Vegas, New York markets
The accessory buyers who flocked to the winter Las Vegas Market shopped mainly for organic, rustic and minimalist-inspired collections. Design trends seen weeks earlier in Atlanta continued in Vegas, with abstract takes on flora and fauna, and lots of wood, metal and stone, energized here and there with a dash of Eastern spice.
- Global Textiles Today
Still needed: Fresh ideas
The year is well under way and business is not great for most suppliers of upholstery fabric, who remain challenged by low-cost imports and limp retail conditions. More and more furniture makers are sourcing fully upholstered frames, so fabric suppliers need to be on the ground in China in one way or another if they want a chance at any of that business.
- Global Textiles Today
Proposte retains upscale focus
Cernobbio, Italy— The annual Proposte fabric show here, scheduled for May 9–11, will continue its organizers' determination to maintain the show's prestigious reputation as a showcase for top European producers of upholstery fabrics. As it has since its inception, the upscale event will be held at the Villa Erba exhibition center, which is situated on famed Lake Como in northern Italy.
- Global Textiles Today
Scoperta at least 25% bigger
Milan, Italy— Scoperta, the fabric show set here May 8–11, will be at least 25% bigger than the 2006 edition, according to Trade Link, the producer of the annual event. But the show will remain separate from the Proposte show, held concurrently in Cernobbio, Italy (see story below left). Scoperta, now in its ninth year, was moved in 2006 to Fiera Milano here from its previous locati...
- Global Textiles Today
Upcoming global shows
March 14–16 — Decosit HKG, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center www.decosit.com May 8–11 — Scoperta, Fiera Milano, Milan, Italy www.scopertaexpo.com May 9–11 — Proposte, Villa Erba, Cernobbio, Italy www.propostefair.it May 16–20 — Evteks, CNR Expo, Istanbul, Turkey www.
- Global Textiles Today
Flocked fabrics enjoying wider appeal
If you think you know how you feel about flocked fabrics, perhaps you should reconsider. Flocked fabrics with new looks are finding space on showroom floors and can provide a selling story for furniture retailers during this difficult retail atmosphere, which is burdened with countless look-alike suede fabric and leather sofas that aren't selling.
- Global Textiles Today
How flocking works
High Point— At the most basic level, there are two types of flocking — mechanical and electrostatic. Electrostatic is the type used for flat surfaces like textiles. In a nutshell, here's how it's done: Millions of tiny cut fibers — frequently nylon — are charged in an electrical field and then propelled into an adhesive-coated substrate.
- Global Textiles Today
A long history
High Point— Flocking goes back a long way — about 3,000 years. That's around the time the Chinese began applying a resin-based sizing to textiles and then sprinkling it with natural fibers. The object was to make the item more interesting and beautiful. It still works. By the 1600s, Europeans were using the millions of tiny fiber bits left over from the production of wool to create ...
- Global Textiles Today
Where do they make it?
High Point— Flocking is done all over the world. There are trade associations for flock in the United States and Europe, which are wonderful resources for background as well as providing contact information for members — producers and their suppliers. Among the countries with producers of flocked fabrics are: Belgium Canada China England France Italy Netherlands Spain Switzerland Ta...
- Global Textiles Today
Evteks will showcase Turkey's $3 billion textile industry
Istanbul, Turkey— The 13th annual edition of the Evteks textile show is set for May 16–20 at the CNR Expo here. Billed as the world's second-largest such show, Evteks 2007 aims to put Turkey's $3 billion textile industry in the global spotlight and create a more prestigious platform for Turkish producers as they pursue a share of the $20 billion global textile market.
- Global Textiles Today
Sources of flocked goods
High Point— Among the suppliers of flocked goods are: Costa Blanca Textiles www.costablancatex.com Covington New York www.covington-newyork.com FiberLok/High Voltage Graphics (HVG) http://www.fiberlok.com Fifield Home Furnishings www.fifieldfabrics.com Flock Tex Inc. http://www.flocktex.com/ Microfibres Inc.
|
|
|
