September 30,
2010 by in UnCategorized 
By Aggregated Content in Financial Reports on October 1, 2010
from http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?r3229736065&f=10761
Swedish home furnishings giant Ikea Group says in its first ever earnings report that profits rose 11 percent over the past year. Profits in the 2009 September-August fiscal year were around euro2.5 billion ($3.41 billion), up from euro2.
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September 30,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Aggregated Content in Business Strategy on October 1, 2010
from http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?r3229425706&f=10761
The former president of Kindel Furniture has teamed with a former designer from the company to create a high-end line.
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September 30,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Green on October 1, 2010
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has requested approval of an extension of information collection required by the Lacey Act.
The Lacey Act, among other things, aims to prevent trade in illegally harvested wood species, and requires furniture companies to document the sourcing of woods used in their products.
The Lacey Act, as amended in 2008, makes it unlawful to import certain plants and plant products without an import declaration. The declaration must contain, among other things, the scientific name of the plant, value of the importation, quantity of the plant, and name of the country from which the plant was harvested. For paper and paperboard products with recycled plant content, the importer will not be required to specify the species or country of harvest with respect to the recycled plant product component, but will be required to provide the average percentage of recycled content. If the product also contains non-recycled plant materials, the basic declaration requirements still apply to that component of the product imported. PPQ Form 505 (Plant and Plant Product Declaration Form) is available online.
DOA is asking the Office of Management and Budget to approve its use of this information collection activity for an additional three years.
Public comment will be taken on the proposal until Nov. 29.
Comments may be submitted by either of the following methods:
* Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal to submit or view comments and to view supporting and related materials available electronically.
* Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send one copy of comment to Docket No. APHIS-2010-0093, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, Md. 20737-1238. State that comment refers to Docket No. APHIS2010-0093.
September 30,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedding on October 1, 2010
Ralph Rossdeutcher has been named chairman of the Specialty Sleep Association's Green Initiative Board.
Anatomic Global CEO David Farley had chaired the GI board since last October.
Rossdeutcher, founder and owner of organic bedding manufacturer Natura World Inc., will spearhead SSA's move to develop a materials content label guide and a new Level III seal that will have a greater focus on more stringent environmental standards. Rossdeutcher is a contributing founder of the GI Board. Natura World mattresses will carry the SSA environment-friendly content seals introduced at the Las Vegas Furniture Furniture Market.
"The GI Board is taking an important step for our industry, aligning manufacturers to simplify what has become a very complicated shopping experience for consumers interested in organic and more environmentally friendly bedding," Rossdeutcher said. "Within our industry, we need to do more to address a higher environmental standard. I wanted to play a role in the evolution of the seal program, which I think will become a very important part of the decision making process for consumers in the future."
SSA President Dale Read said Natura helped finalize designs for the labels, and Rossdeutscher will lead the GI Board in further development of the program.
"We recognized after launching the program a few months ago that there was a need for a third level of information for an even higher environmental standard, which is what Ralph and the GI Board will focus on over the next few months," he said. "However, we are also very happy to see a number of manufacturers embracing and promoting our Level I and Level II seals as we address adding new levels of consumer education to the process in the future."
Read added that Rossdeutscher and Natura were pioneers in developing content labeling and branding for green marketing.
"Ralph brings a respected leadership and experience in this area to help us advance the cause of truth in 'green' marketing," he said.
As part of the feedback and evolution of the program since the Las Vegas Furniture Furniture, the SSA has placed top priority on environmental issues. Many manufacturers were specifically interested in the environmental benefits of the program. There was also widespread desire in the industry for a higher environmental standard, hence the creation of a new Level III.
September 30,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on October 1, 2010
High Point accounting and consulting firm Smith Leonard has been cited as one of America's
"2010 Best Accounting Firms To Work For."The annual List of Best Accounting Firms was created and is distributed by Accounting Today and Best Companies Group.
Ken Smith, Smith Leonard managing partner, said the survey and award program was designed to identify, recognize and honor the best places of employment in the accounting industry. Winners are selected based on a two-part survey process. The first part evaluates each nominated firm's workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems and demographics. The second part is an employee survey to measure the employee's experience.
"Naturally, we're gratified to be named in this listing," Smith said. "It's a tribute to our entire team, but the truth is it's just as much a tribute to our valued clients. We're grateful for their support, and we're thankful to all our associates for their loyalty and dedication."
The ranking of the 3rd annual Best Accounting Firms to Work For will be unveiled at an awards ceremony during Accounting Today's Growth & Profitability Summit on Nov. 17 at the Wynn Resort in Las Vegas. The list-making firms also will appear in the Dec. 13 issue of Accounting Today.
Smith Leonard primarily serves the North Carolina Piedmont Triad, but the firm's reach extends into South Carolina, Virginia and beyond. The practice is also an independent member of the BDO Seidman Alliance, a nationwide association of independently owned accounting and consulting firms.