Daily News Archive
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July 13,
2010 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Green on July 14, 2010
Recycled cotton yarn producer FildiUSA, New York, announced that Ecotec, the company's recycled cotton-blend yarns, have received Control Union's Global Recycle Standard.
The Global Recycle Standard validates both the yarns' recycled content as well as the sustainable and socially responsible manner in which they are produced. Fildi said it's the first yarn company in the United States to earn this recognition.
"We are proud that our products and processes meet the very highest standards," said Steven Usdan, president of FildiUSA. "With this critical GRS certification, our customers can be certain that when they use our Ecotec yarns, they are truly making a positive impact on the world in which we live."
To date, companies such as Whole Foods and Rachel Roy have used Ecotec yarns in their textile products.
Ecotec recycled cotton-blend yarns are made from new, pre-consumer cotton textile scraps that would otherwise be discarded in landfills. The repurposed fabric scraps are collected from cutting operations, sorted by color, reprocessed, blended, and re-spun into yarns. Not only is landfill waste eliminated but, because the cotton fabric scraps are already colored, Ecotec yarns can skip the dyeing process thus saving water and reducing environmental effluents. Repurposing the cotton fabric scraps also saves the land, water, and pesticides associated with growing new cotton.
Ecotec yarns are available in a full assortment of stock and custom colors, spinning counts, and blends for use in bright, durable knit and woven fabrics that can be used in apparel, home textiles, and a variety of applications. In addition to being GRS certified, Ecotec yarns are also Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified to be free from more than 100 substances believed to be dangerous to human health.
July 13,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on July 14, 2010
Demand for furniture executives abated during the second quarter of 2010, according to the latest newsletter from Furniture industry executive search firm Ariail & Associates, Greensboro, N.C.
"This directly relates to furniture demand and the summer 'non-selling' season," said Founder Randy Ariail in the report. "It also relates to a lack of cohesive direction regarding federal policy and the housing market. Most of our clients are running as lean as possible at this juncture, but we expect the demand for talent will pick up in the fall."
Ariail noted that the past couple of year's economic downturn was the only one in which truly outstanding furniture executives were unemployed.
"This trend has reversed and the cadre of talented people now find themselves successfully employed," Ariail said. "We are back to the norm of having to 'market' the opportunity to attract the 'A' players."
Several of Ariail & Associates' major engagements over the past few months have involved the search for senior manufacturing executives to start up new facilities in the United States.
"Our clients cite rising cost of container freight, being able to control quality and distribution and the rising cost of labor in China as reasons for starting up or expanding domestic manufacturing," Ariail said. "Recently, several Asian companies announced new U.S. manufacturing facilities. Is this a trend? Hard to say, but it's certainly noteworthy."
He also noted that a "less than robust economy" has led to increased resume inflation and falsification of credentials, even for senior management positions.
"Often, we see this in resumes sent to us by individuals who have submitted information in years past that leave out jobs on their 'new' resumes," Ariail said. "We also see degrees appear as if by magic and permanent short-term jobs listed as 'consulting assignments.' Sadly, we have seen this encouraged by many so called resume preparation services."
I reaction to that trend, when Ariail & Associates receives a resume that is solicited or unsolicited, it is compared to a database of several thousand managers and executives in the industry.
"We look for inconsistencies regarding employers, dates, positions, education, etc.," he said. "We conduct background checks on all final candidates with former employees, peers, subordinates and in many cases the retail community. We verify all college degrees. Additionally we conduct retail credit and criminal history checks. We get a release of liability signed to protect our firm and our client company.
"Due to almost epidemic misrepresentation of qualifications, I would encourage you to institute a similar process. I have seen this happen even at a CEO level."
Later this year, Ariail & Associates will launch a new website at ariailassoc.com with better navigation, quicker revisions, recent newsletters and easier resume/CV submission for candidates.
"We should have a beta the end of August and a launch by High Point Market," Ariail said.
July 12,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Obituaries on July 13, 2010
One of the furniture industry's great elder statesmen, decorated World War II veteran and community benefactor J. Clyde Hooker died Monday at 89 years of age.
Hooker led Hooker Furniture Corp., Martinsville, Va., from 1960 until his retirement in 2000. One of the only remaining leaders from America's golden industrial age and patriarch of one of the "first families" of the Virginia furniture industry, Hooker's personal involvement with the company that bore his name began at the age of four, when he blew the steam whistle to signal the first work day in January 1925.
Born Dec. 20, 1920, he was the son of Hooker Furniture founder J. Clyde Hooker Sr. and of Mabel Bassett Hooker, the daughter of Charles Bassett, one of the founders of Bassett Furniture. Until 1951, the name of the company was Hooker-Bassett Company.
After he graduated as valedictorian of his class at Virginia Military Institute in 1942, he served with the Third Army in the European Theater of World War II. He was awarded the Bronze Star, three campaign stars and was discharged with the rank of captain in 1946. A few months later, he went to work at Hooker Furniture, starting in the factory to learn the manufacturing process before working in the Martinsville headquarters as assistant sales manager. In 1956, he was named sales manager.
When he was elected president in 1960, the company had 375 employees, $4.4 million in sales and $170,000 of net income. Upon his retirement in 2000, the company had 2,000 employees, more than $250 million in sales and $15 million in net income. Known as an innovator, Hooker kept his company in the forefront of manufacturing advances and of trends in entertainment and office furniture. Under his leadership, Hooker Furniture was one of the first companies to import specialty furniture products over 20 years ago. Along with Mabel Bassett Hooker, Clyde Hooker was instrumental in establishing the Hooker Educational Foundation that provides scholarships to children and spouses of employees of Hooker and its subsidiaries.
Within the furniture industry, Hooker served as President of the Southern Furniture Manufacturers Assn., now the American Home Furnishings Alliance and Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Dallas Market Center. There are scholarships in his name at both High Point University and his alma mater VMI.
"Clyde had a significant, positive impact on so many peoples' lives in this company, in our industry and our community," said Paul Toms Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of Hooker and Hooker's nephew. "No matter how you define a life well lived, Clyde achieved extraordinary success. But most important was his impact on others. He was a mentor, friend and father figure to generations."
Hooker's numerous awards included The Pillar of the Industry Award from the International Home Furnishings Representatives Assn. in 1977, the James T. Ryan Award for Industry Leadership in 1985 and induction into the American Furniture Hall of Fame in 1997. He also received the Distinguished Service Award from the VMI Foundation in 1993 and the Key to the City of Martinsville in 2000. An Eagle Scout and Scoutmaster, Hooker received the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award.
"With Clyde gone, an era has passed, and a void is left in the industry that will never, ever be filled," said Melvin Wolff, chairman of Star Furniture in Houston, Texas, one of many industry and community friends and admirers who reflected on Hooker's life.
"First and foremost, Clyde Hooker was a gentleman," said Richard Moore, vice president-furniture, for Dillards department store. Moore, who has known Hooker since 1976 "when I started buying knee hole desks from him," said he
"always looked forward to going into the Hooker showroom to see Clyde. Clyde made it easy and comfortable to do business."
"Clyde was always kind," said Doug Brackett, retired executive vice president of the American Furniture Manufacturers Assn. and its predecessor the Southern Furniture Manufacturers Assn. "He had a way of getting his point across strongly without offending anyone. By any measure, Clyde Hooker was one of the top leaders in the history of the furniture industry."
Irv Blumkin, chairman of furniture retailer Nebraska Furniture Mart, said, "Clyde was a legend of heroic proportions in this business. He has been a great friend of the Blumkins and the Mart and the industry, and we have nothing but the utmost respect and affection for him."
Tom Word, an attorney in Richmond, Va., is writing a book about the heroes of Virginia and has devoted a chapter to Clyde Hooker.
"He is the strongest team builder I have ever observed," Word said. "He has built the most admired leadership team in the furniture industry."
Hooker was able to attract good people in part because of a magnetic personality and a genuine interest in people.
"Clyde wasnt the kind of leader that the factory workers avoided when he walked through the plant. Instead, they were drawn to him," said John Bassett III, chairman of Vaughn-Bassett Furniture. Bassett and Hooker are double first cousins once removed. Their grandfathers were the Bassett brothers who founded Bassett Furniture, and they married sisters from the Lane Furniture family.
"Clydes community, city, county, country and employees all benefitted from his contribution and the standard for excellence he set, Bassett said. "But do you know what Clyde would tell us if he could? He would say, 'It's time for you all to get on with the work now.'"
Hooker is survived by his wife, Katherine Bridgforth Hooker; a daughter, Katherine H. Boaz, three grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Family members involved in the furniture industry include Toms and his grandson Phil Garrett, who is national sales manager at Hooker Furniture.
The funeral will be Thursday at noon at the First United Methodist Church, 146 East Main St. in Martinsville. Visitation will be Wednesday evening at First United Methodist Church from 5 to 8 p.m.
Designated charities for memorial gifts include the Hooker Educational Foundation, P.O. Box 4708, Martinsville, Va. 24115; the Martinsville Henry County SPCA at 132 Joseph Martin Highway, Martinsville, Va. 24112; The Buddy Bryan VMI Foundation, P.O. Box 932, Lexington, Va. 24450; and the First United Methodist Church, 146 East Main St., Martinsville, Va. 24112.
July 12,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on July 13, 2010
Arnold's Home Furnishings has reopened in its original locatrion in Bremerton, Wash., less than a year after a fire destroyed much of the furniture store, the
Kitsap Sun reported Sunday.
An arson fire
gutted the furniture store last July 27 after a 16-year-old boy lit the blaze with a butane canister and lighter. Afterwards,
Arnold's Home Furnishings operated out of temporary space before re-opening in its original location in a showroom about half the size of the store's previous 66,000 square feet.
Arnold's Vice President Ralph Erickson said in the report that "we have a better size now than we had before," which will avoid product duplication and create a better customer experience.
"Our goal was to be back in business in less than a year," Erickson said. "We're stronger than ever."
A summer-long grand re-opening event is planned.
July 12,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on July 13, 2010
The American Society of Furniture Designers has announced finalists for the 2010 Pinnacle Awards for outstanding home furnishings.
Finalists are listed by category.
* Occasional Tables
Bird's Nest, designed by John T. Kolkka ASFD for Kolkka Furniture.
Colors, Berry & Clark Design Associates for Hammary.
Modern Craftsman, Richard Schroeder ASFD, Denis Kissane ASFD and Gary Hokanson for Stanley Furniture.
* Occasional Storage
Driftwood bombe chest, Glenn Yelvington for Maitland-Smith.
Lexicon chest on stand, Shaun Melvin ASFD for Baker Furniture.
Mybar, F. Doruk Yorgancioglu and Megan Perry for Dorya.
* Juvenile Furniture
Lily, Matthew Hurley ASFD for Hooker Furniture Corp.
Spectrum Collection, Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz for The Phillips Collection.
Young Classics, Jena Hall ASFD, Stephanie Lena ASFD and Brent Camfferman for aspenhome.
* Casual Dining
Bungalow Baby, Jena Hall ASFD, Stephanie Lena, ASFD and Brent Camfferman for aspenhome.
Havana, Phyllis Bridgeman for Hekman Furniture.
Mango Bay, Tim L. Annas ASFD for Kincaid Furniture Co. Inc.
* Formal Dining
European Legacy, Chris Bergelin ASFD for Hekman Furniture.
Ferron Court, Les Killian, Jesse Schopmeyer ASFD and Gary Huffstetler for Broyhill Home Furnishings.
Wellington Court, Chris Bergelin ASFD and Thad Bergelin for Century Furniture.
* Motion Upholstery
Paramount, Albert Choy for Moroni Inc.
Theo Jack Lewis ASFD, Gary VanderWood ASFD for Palliser Furniture.
Welcome sofa, Normand Couture ASFD for Couture International.
* Stationary Upholstery
Fairmont lounge chair, David Francis for David Francis Furniture.
Meyer, Amy Archer for American Leather.
Perou chaise, Rene Cazares and Richard Cazares for rcfurniture.
* Leather Upholstery
Addison, Rick Lee for American Leather.
Ensemble bed, Normand Couture ASFD for Couture International.
Lugano, Michael A. Galardo and Michael Felix Galardo ASFD for Elite Leather Co.
* Accessories
Burled Bowl, Jason Phillips ASFD for The Phillips Collection.
Hand Dipped Pears, Julie Phillips for The Phillips Collection.
Wave Perch, Marty Watts for Urban Pet Haus.
* Lighting
Antasia, David Kitts ASFD, David Martin ASFD and George Chandler ASFD for Hubbardton Forge.
Arieal lamp, Catherine Smoak ASFD for AF Lighting.
Up lamps, Nakarin Kamseela for The Phillips Collection.
* Home Office
Bungalow Baby, Ken Levi ASFD and Andy Nielsen ASFD for aspenhome.
Greenwich Street secretary, Paul Galli, Jason Culler and Rosma Gutierrez for Bernhardt Furniture Co.
Sequel Collection, Matthew Weatherly for BDI.
* Entertainment Centers
Great Rooms, Abigail Eaton ASFD, Dudley Moore Jr. ASFD for Universal Furniture
Laredo, Mike Warren ASFD and Shannon Lookabill for Sligh Furniture Co.
STAX, Tommy McDaniel ASFD and Scott Coley ASFD for Bassett.
* Summer/Casual
Cabo lounge chair, Norman Coley and Bobby Gantt for Lee Industries Inc.
South Beach, Richard Frinier ASFD for Century Furniture.
Wow, Normand Couture ASFD for Couture Jardin.
* Bedroom
Hilo Collection, David Francis for David Francis Furniture.
Louis XVI bed, Clare Heyboer for Kindel Furniture Co.
Wellington Court, Chris Bergelin ASFD and Thad Bergelin for Century Furniture.
Major Collections
* Forecast, Berry & Clark Design Associates for Pennsylvania House.
Sanctuary, Tracey Gibson for Hooker Furniture.
Tribeca, Chris Bergelin ASFD and Thad Bergelin for Century Furniture.
* Green Leaf Award
Birds Nest cocktail, John T. Kolkka ASFD for Kolkka Furniture.
Bjorn chair, Joe Greene ASFD for C.R. Laine Furniture Co.
Ondrian lamps, David Kitts ASFD, David Martin ASFD and George Chandler ASFD for Hubbardton Forge.