Universal Launches Smartstuff Kids' Brand

August 14, 2011  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in Youth, Juvenile Furniture on August 15, 2011 Universal Furniture has entered the youth furniture market with a new brand called Smartstuff.

The program launches with four kids' collections, all providing innovative features and pricing in keeping with the company's good, affordable, smart design mantra. Smartstuff will be introduced at the September Pre-Market in High Point. The four initial collections--Gabriella, RoughHouse, Free Style and Classics 4.0--have about 25 pieces each. Similar pieces cost the same across all collections.

Priced at 20 percent above Universal's sister company, Legacy Kids, and 20 to 40 percent below premium brands, Smartstuff features drawer interiors with English dovetail joints on the front and back, full-finish 9/16th inch oak plywood, and drawer operation on a pair of ball bearing, full-extension, soft-closing, under-mount glides.

Bedrails are 100 percent bolt-together construction for sturdier, wobble-free beds. All finishes are lead free and the product complies with the latest guidelines regarding lead parts per million. Bunk beds feature ladders with wider steps and deeper mattress openings, are bolted at every joint, and are tested by the independent third-party lab, Intertek.

"In today's challenging environment there is the tendency to want to race to the bottom and chase price," says Jeff Scheffer, High Point-based Universal Furniture CEO. "Smartstuff, on the other hand, is a race to the top in terms of styling, construction, function and fun. Just as it is hard to imagine buying a car today without electric locks and cup holders, we believe that many of our Smartstuff features will set new standards in youth furniture."

Other features include:
* Patented charging stations for  cell phones, iPods, iPads, computers, televisions; or the vacuum sweeper when it's time to clean up.
* Removable partitions in the drawers provide simple organization to help mothers and kids bring order to busy lives.
* Each dresser includes a hideaway for special treasures or a girl's first jewelry.
* Built-in lighting is strategically placed for studying or as nightlights.
* A tray for the upper bunk creates a "nightstand in the sky" for an iPod, cell phone or alarm clock.
* Beds are available in twin and full with bunk beds available as twin over twin, twin over full, and full over full.

Fun teaching elements to expand young minds are included with select pieces:
* Nightstands feature coasters for sweaty glasses, urging kids to "Respect the Wood" and protect the furniture.
* A folding board makes it easy to keep shirts looking tidy and kids looking smart.
* Maps of the world and a star chart foster a love of exploration and discovery.
* Desks feature an easy guide to ergonomics and proper posture when sitting.
* Every chest includes a Smart Moves sheet of easy exercises to keep young minds sharp, nimble and quick.

Manufactured in the company's dedicated factory in China, Smartstuff will be warehoused in both Shanghai and High Point. Smartstuff can be purchased one piece at a time from High Point. From China, it can be mixed with all other Universal Furniture product by full container or through the company's Smart Mix 500 program by ordering as few as 500 cubes. Smartstuff will begin shipping to dealers late this year.