Archive for April, 2006

IHFC to renovate Commerce wing lobby

Friday, April 28th, 2006

Larry Thomas — Furniture Today,
Includes interior and exterior renovations

AT THE MARKET – The International Home Furnishings Center is set to begin a massive renovation of its Commerce wing lobby that will make the showroom complex “feel like a new building,” according to IHFC officials.

Tom Lindh, IHFC president and CEO, said work will begin immediately after this market and will take about 12 months to complete.

He wouldn’t reveal details of the project, but said it will be a multimillion-dollar effort that includes interior and exterior renovations. 
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High Point Furniture Bank Opens

Friday, April 28th, 2006

By: Furniture World Magazine 

Responding to industry requests, the National Furniture Bank Association (NFBA) and MGM Transport Corp. announced that exhibitors at High Point International Home Furnishings Market will be able to donate home furnishings directly to a local furniture bank.

Emergency Interiors Furniture Bank will serve the North Carolina region, effective immediately.

The NFBA is the home furnishings industry’s unified non-profit organization, representing furniture banks throughout the country. The mission of the NFBA is to increase the service capacity of existing furniture banks, and to open new furniture banks in areas without one.
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American / Asian Trading Company Makes Nationwide News.

Friday, April 28th, 2006

By: Furniture World Magazine 

In today’s rocky economic times, it is all too commonplace to see furniture manufacturers in the headlines, usually accompanied by the announcement that they are shutting down operations.

However, Catawissa/Baili Fine Arts & Crafts, a visionary
partnership between Pennsylvania-based hardwood components maker Catawissa Lumber and Chinese furniture designer Baili Fine Arts & Crafts, recently had the rare distinction of making headlines for opening up new markets worldwide.
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Brazilian sources showing at International Furniture

Friday, April 28th, 2006

Thomas Russell
AT THE MARKET – Brazil-based International Furniture’s showroom for the April market here will feature three Brazilian manufacturers of youth furniture and other goods.

The company has shown some Brazilian-made product here, but mainly offered Chinese-made bedroom, living room and dining room furniture under the name Mobilia S.A.

Now, the 3,000-square-foot showroom, space 210 in the CenterPoint building at 401 S. Hamilton St., will display all Brazilian-made furniture, and feature Brazilian coffee and artifacts, with walls and flooring made from Brazilian logs.
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Maitland-Smith tests EvoluZione contemporary line

Friday, April 28th, 2006

Thomas Russell –
Targets European market

HIGH POINT – For years, high-end case goods and accent manufacturer Maitland-Smith has targeted an audience with highly traditional tastes.

That isn’t changing, but the company has diversified its design portfolio with a contemporary collection called Evolu-Zione, introduced at the Cebu furniture market in the Philippines in February.

Products range from accent and occasional tables to sofas, armchairs and lighting, with mainly clean lines and lower profiles than Maitland-Smith’s traditional line. But as with the traditional product, mixed-media elements and exotic veneers are the norm.
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High-end Vietnamese source targeting U.S.

Friday, April 28th, 2006

Thomas Russell

Will debut in High Point
HIGH POINT – Designers & Makers, a Vietnamese manufacturer of high-end furniture, is making its debut in High Point this week.

The three-year-old company has shown at furniture markets in Singapore and Vietnam, and currently sells to customers in Russia, Australia, the Middle East, Greece, Canada and the Caribbean.

D&M also has designed product for high-end companies such as Maitland-Smith and Sarreid, said Marketing Manager Jacqueline Robinson.
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Brazilian producers gear up for High Point market

Friday, April 28th, 2006

Gary Evans
Will show high-end contemporary

HIGH POINT — A number of furniture makers from Brazil will exhibit at the April  market here, showing U.S. retailers a selection of high-end contemporary furniture available for export.

The exhibitors are part of ABIMAD, the three-year-old Brazilian High-End Furniture Manufacturers Assn., which represents 200 factories. Participating members will have two spaces in the International Home Furnishing Center, H-165 in the Interhall and G-867.
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Harden launches gallery program

Friday, April 28th, 2006

Jeff Linville
Retail test exceeds expectations

AT THE MARKET — High-end furniture maker Harden is showcasing a new gallery program this market after a successful trial at three stores.

The full-line manufacturer, based in McConnellsville, N.Y., held a ribbon-cutting Wednesday morning in its showroom for the Harden Home Studio program, its first in-store concept. The company has invited executives from the three test stores to its space at 200 N. Hamilton St. to tell about their results, which Harden said exceeded expectations in sales, profitability, reception by store staff and consumer response.
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Robb & Stucky buys luxury design firm

Friday, April 28th, 2006

– Casual Living,
Acquisition part of strategic expansion

Robb & Stucky has purchased The Home of Fine Decorators, a super-luxury design firm, located on the East Coast of Florida and Las Vegas, with a portfolio of both commercial and multi-million dollar residential projects.

The Home of Fine Decorators adds more than 30 years of residential and commercial design expertise to the 90-year history of Robb & Stucky. The design firm is renowned for sophisticated installations which showcase the company’s authority in residential and high-rise style including public space and sales center design and has created award-winning projects throughout the country.
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Tempur-Pedic International Reports First Quarter Earnings Rise

Friday, April 28th, 2006

By: Furniture World Magazine 

Tempur-Pedic International Inc., a leading manufacturer, marketer and distributor of viscoelastic and premium mattresses and pillows worldwide, announced net sales and earnings for the first quarter ended March 31, 2006.

First Quarter 2006 Financial Summary

- Net sales rose 3% to $228.6 million from $222.4 million in the first quarter of 2005. Retail channel sales worldwide increased 8%. Sales in the U.S. retail channel grew 7%. Sales in the U.S. furniture retail channel grew 14%. Sales in the international retail channel increased 12%.
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