Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
July 12,
2010 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedding on July 13, 2010
Luxury sleep system manufacturer Hollandia International announced that it will exhibit at the upcoming Las Vegas Furniture Market, August 2-6, to promote its new partnership with global mattress brand Therapedic.
Showing in space B-822, the high-end sleep systems manufacturer will unveil the first beds from the Hollandia Collection for Therapedic since the two bedding companies formed their alliance for the U.S. mattress market earlier this year.
"We are excited to be bringing a fresh, new offering to Therapedic customers," said Gerry Borreggine, Therapedic president and CEO. "Hollandia is well known for developing technologies that combine with world-class comfort to create sophisticated, stand out products. We look forward to presenting a range of opportunities to retailers looking to attract a new type of customer to the Therapedic brand."
Both companies will offer the Hollandia Collection for Therapedic in addition to continuing the traditional sales of its products.
Making its Las Vegas Market debut are the iCon, the world's first bed designed to work with Apple's iPad; the Dual-Core 3D mattress; and new Trio bed base, the first foundation to adjust the head and feet lower than the flat position to arch and stretch the back.
"Like the iPad, the iCon Bed is more about a lifestyle choice than it is about a product; it caters to consumers who know how to balance work, rest and play," said Hollandia CEO Avi Barssessat. "This approach is consistent with how we design our products, offering functionality, versatility, relaxation and comfort so that consumers can be more productive. Whether you want to read, work, stretch or fall asleep to relaxing music, this bed truly lets you have it all, then recharges your iPad as you sleep."
The iCon Bed features an upholstered headboard with fully enclosed speakers, a 250 watt amplifier and docking stations for two iPads. It is available in more than 200 colors and fabrics to complement any bedroom decor.
The new Dual-Core 3D, Hollandias latest mattress technology, has been updated to allow two consumers to customize their side of the bed to their comfort needs.
Hollandia's new Trio adjustable foundation is marked by its stylish arched steel legs which tuck under the bed, making it an ideal foundation for smaller spaces; and offers an additional motor that adjusts the head and feet lower than the flat position to arch and stretch the back.
July 12,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Business Strategy on July 13, 2010
Bedding and furniture components manufacturer Leggett & Platt, Carthage, Mo., (NYSE: LEG) will serve as the top sponsor for the WithIt women's home furnishings industry leadership network's 2010 education conference.
The event, "Leadership2: Take it to the Next Level," is set for August 17-19 at the Renaissance Charlotte Suites Hotel in Charlotte, N.C.
"Recognizing the significant role that women play in our industry, Leggett & Platt is proud to be a sponsor of WithIt's annual education conference," said Mark Quinn, segment vice president of marketing for the residential furnishings segment of Leggett & Platt. "It is important that we continue to strengthen our ties with organizations such as WithIt to help foster the growth of the women in our industry and attract future female talent."
Leggett & Platt's support of the annual education conference dovetails WithIt's mission to support the development and success of female leaders at all stages of their careers and in all product categories, including the bedding, home and furnishings segments.
"We've noticed interest in encouraging top female talent to consider employment in the bedding industry," said WithIt 2010 President Stephanie Lowder. "Collaboration with WithIt offers one solution. Since our founding in 1997, we have seen an increase in female talent at our supporting companies in home and furnishings, and we are reaching out to every industry segment where there is need."
Leggett & Platt's support of WithIt acknowledges the influence of the female consumer at retail.
"We know how important women are when it comes to purchasing mattresses, bedding accessories and furniture," Quinn said. "This fact was the theme for a recent industry conference dedicated to the bedding segment. Women are the primary decision-makers when it comes to our products, and were always looking for new and innovative ways of connecting winfluential group."
Other 2010 WithIt leadership conference sponsors include BDI, Furniture/Today, Home Furnishings Business, World Market Center Las Vegas and Wray Ward.
"We thank Leggett & Platt and all our sponsors whose generosity helps us keep this work going,
Lowder said.
For registration and lodging information about the 2010 WithIt conference, visit the WithIt Web site.
July 12,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on July 13, 2010
The American Furniture Hall of Fame Foundation Inc. is asking the industry to share its company histories and books to preserve the cultural, economic and artistic history of the furniture industry.
"By donating your corporate histories, whether published as a book or just a formal document, we are taking a significant step towards preserving the stories and our joint history," said Joe Carroll, chairman of the Hall of Fame Legacy Board. "If it is a written history that involves furniture, it would be helpful to us as we move forward with our first ever initiative to write a history of the American furniture industry.
"While we are just in the beginning stages of creating a chronological timeline that includes retail, manufacturing, merchandising and marketing trends, and supply chain, it is exciting that we have begun the years long process," Carroll continued. "This information will be shared with the industry on an updated Wall of Fame, on our website, and for use by historians and researchers. It is part of our mission to make our history relevant, accessible and entertaining."
Books and documents can be sent to the American Furniture Hall of Fame Foundation Inc. at 202 Neal Place, High Point, N.C. 27262. Donors will receive public recognition and materials can be considered a charitable donation for tax purposes. Information gleaned from these donations will be given full credit whenever they are used for Foundation purposes.
For more information or questions, call 336.882.5900.
July 11,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Rugs on July 12, 2010
Pat Douglass has been named vice president of the printed rug division of
Surya.
In his new position, Douglass will work with the company's print rug factories to develop, produce and distribute product. He will also work to develop relationships with large retailers and wholesalers as the company expands into the printed rug category.
"Pat brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our company," said Satya Tiwari, president of Surya. "The print rug category has been an area of growth for our company to date. With Pat's help we are now ready to grow this category even further by appealing to more and more customers with fashionable colors and designs. With Surya's knowledge of the latest design trends and experienced design staff, we will be able to offer trendy new print rug products at an affordable price."
July 11,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on July 12, 2010
The Home Furnishings Independents Association, Dallas, Texas; and the Unfurnished Furniture Association have announced a new partnership designed to bring many benefits to both associations' members.
In the new partnership, UFA members can join HFIA at a discounted rate as branch members. All branch members will have access to the HFIA benefits such as bank card processing, consumer finance, email marketing, freight discounts, gift cards, insurance, lighting supplies, office supply discounts, online furniture sales training, promotional tools, retail operating software, room planning kits and warehouse supplies. ¨¨"HFIA is the voice of independent-thinking home furnishings professionals," said HFIA President Mary Frye. "It offers business tools and solutions to help members operate more efficiently and, in return, more profitably. Further, HFIA has a long history of helping its members save money, streamline operations and stay better informed about the industry. We are looking forward to meeting many new members through our alliance with UFA."¨¨UFA is a not-for-profit membership trade organization representing more than 600 retailers, manufacturers and sales organizations in the market niche for unfinished furniture. UFA supports its industry brand "Real Wood Furniture Finished Your Way" with a consumer oriented Web site(http://www.realwoodfurniture.org) and through a retailer certification program which licenses qualifying member retailers and manufacturers to use the "Real Wood Furniture Finished Your Way" logo.
The organization advocates education and awareness to promote the unique qualities and availability of Real Wood Furniture Finished Your Way to consumers across North America. These goals are also accomplished through UFA's annual trade shows which give retailers and manufacturers opportunities to come together and exchange ideas and information. In addition UFA publishes a bi-monthly industry email newsletter.
"This is a great opportunity for UFA members," said UFA Executive Director Fred Moriarty. "UFA's focus is on our trade shows and promotion of the 'Real Wood Furniture Finished Your Way' brand. partnership with HFIA will now allow UFA members to also have access to quality programs that will help them improve their operations while realizing meaningful cost savings in the process.¨
For more information the HFIA partnership with UFA, contact Mary Frye at 800.942.4663 or mary@hfia.com; or contact Fred Moriarty at 800.487.8321 or ufa.exdir@gmail.com.