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August 16,
2010 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Community/Charitable Support on August 17, 2010
The 2010 Bob's Discount Furniture Golf Outing raised more than $250,000 for charity earlier this month.
Bob's Discount Furniture Charitable Foundation Inc., Manchester, Conn., and Planned Furniture Promotions staged the annual event.
This year's beneficiaries include the American Cancer Society's Camp Rising Sun, Family & Children's Aid, Connecticut Children's Medical Center, Jimmy Fund and the American Red Cross. Prior years' events have supported organizations including Nutmeg Big Brothers/Big Sisters, March of Dimes and the Salvation Army.
"People who make their livings in the furniture industry continually rise to the occasion in terms of giving," says Bob Kaufman, president of Bob's Discount Furniture. "We all know that business conditions are tough for many in the industry this summer, but the number of colleagues and companies that stepped up to contribute to this annual event was truly incredible. More than $170,000 in checks were distributed to the charities at the gala in just one evening."
Given that Planned Furniture Promotions Owner, Gene Rosenberg is one of the founders of Bobs Furniture, the Annual Golf Outing is also a favorite charity for Rosenberg and the entire PFP team.
"While we work hard behind the scenes every year in preparation for this annual event, it would never be this successful without the support of all of our colleagues in the industry," said Tom Liddell, vice president, sales and marketing, Planned Furniture Promotions.
This year, 214 golfers participated in the special event at The Tunxis Plantation Country Club, and more than 350 people attended the gala dinner, silent and live auction and award ceremony that followed at the Farmington Club. During the dinner, a young camper from Camp Rising Sun, a camp for children who have been diagnosed with cancer, spoke about the impact the participants' generous donations have had on her life, as well as those of other children who would be otherwise unable to attend the Camp.
In addition to the charities that benefited, other big winners of the day included local television representatives Chris LaCamera and Aaron Thomas, who led their foursome to win the Golf tournament. Special recognition went to Brandon Beck of Planned Furniture Promotions who scored a hole in one, the first in the tournament's 23-year history.
August 16,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Community/Charitable Support on August 17, 2010
Props from the hit television series Mad Men are being auctioned on eBay through Sunday, Aug. 22 at 7 p.m.
Items being auctioned include desks, sofas, tables, credenzas and chairs from the show's Sterling Cooper ad agency. Among the lot are pieces from the offices of lead characters Don Draper and Roger Sterling, the sofa from the Pete and Peggy episode, Sterlings office bar, and chairs from the agencys conference room.
A portion of the proceeds raised by the auction benefit the Lung Cancer Program at City of Hope, one of the nations leading research, treatment and education centers for cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
August 16,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in sourcing/importing on August 17, 2010
Full-line furniture vendor Home Meridian International has upgraded its systems to run the latest version of SAP ECC 6.0.
SAP ECC 6.0 is a state-of-the-art platform for enterprise resource planning. SAP is a leading global ERP system used by more than 80 percent of Fortune 500 companies.
Headquarted in High Point, Home Meridian International operates distribution centers on both coasts. It has offices in Dongguan China and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It is the parent company of Pulaski Furniture, Samuel Lawrence Furniture, Samuel Lawrence Hospitality, Creations baby furniture and Prime Resources International.
When asked why customers should care what system is used, George Revington, President and CEO answered: "It matters a lot to the most sophisticated dealers. Bringing fresh and saleable products to market requires collaborative global teamwork. Leading companies need fast, robust, stable platforms that work 24/7 from anywhere in the world. Having the best information systems allows us to analyze trends, manage dozens of factories around the world, and deliver when promised. All of this translates into better value for our customers."
Doug Townsend, Home Meridian CFO, said the upgrade provides a scalable single-source platform for sourcing, logistics and sales, which is adaptable to the specialized needs of each HMI company.
"It cuts costs, makes us more efficient, connects us more deeply with our customers and allows us to make faster and better decisions," Townsend said.
"Over the past few years we have evolved from a legacy furniture company to a global design, sourcing and marketing company using the most advanced technology and ERP systems," Revington said. "The most advanced ERP system enhances our ability to integrate our companies and to more easily absorb acquisitions like we did earlier this year with Prime Resources International."
Clint Webb, CIO, noted that HMI has always invested heavily in technology and training.
"This upgrade is consistent with our philosophy of continuous improvement and gives HMI the ability to take advantage of the latest technology to further integrate with our customers and suppliers," he said.
August 16,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Customer Service on August 17, 2010
Furniture orders are arriving for customers of a troubled Ashley Furniture Homestore, the Contra Costa Times reported Monday.
Customers are receiving notification for around 800 pieces arriving at Ashley's nearby warehouse. In June, Arcadia, Wis.-based Ashley Furniture stepped in to fulfill orders at the Chico store, which was served with warrants last month by district attorneys investigating orders before May 21.
Stephen Forsey of SPCI Cos., which is liquidating the Ashley store in Yuba City and selling merchandise in Chico and Redding, said in the report that customers were being notified they can take possession of their orders; and that more furniture is on the way.
August 16,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Business Strategy on August 17, 2010
Art Van Furniture is reviving the Scott Shuptrine Interiors name in eight of its 33 stores to offer its consumers interior design services.
Scott Shuptrine was acquired in 1986 by Art Van Elslander, founder and chairman of Art Van, and other family members. The group shuttered the three stores in 2002. Despite the closings, Art Van Furniture retained the Shuptrine name.
"The Scott Shuptrine name is being revived because it has strong name recognition and high regard," Van Elslander said.
The design centers will be available in key stores that target upper-end clients including Warren, Mich., Grand Rapids, Mich., Novi, Mich., Sterling Heights, Mich., Lansing, Mich., Traverse City, Mich., and Petoskey, Mich. Each center will be 4,500 square feet, carry premiere furniture lines and staff two certified interior designers.
Shirley Maddalena, one of Michigan's prominent interior designers has been tapped to head the new venture. Maddalena, of Maddalena Design of Birmingham, Mich., is a certified interior designer with more than 30 years experience.
"Ms. Maddalena will bring an unparalleled level of professionalism and savvy to the design table," Van Elslander said
Art Van Furniture has had a busy year. The retailer has initiated two Art Van PureSleep free-standing mattress stores, opened three new stores, added Paul's TV and introduced Art's Backyard.
"Art Van is open for change and open for business," said Kim Yost, Art Van CEO. "Scott Shuptrine Interiors is one more example of how we're sustaining and growing our market share in this brave new world."
The first two design centers in Warren and Grand Rapids will open Sept. 28.