April 5,
2010 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Markets on April 6, 2010
The Greater New York Home Furnishings Association will be recognized as IHFRA's Chapter of the Year at the 76th annual Presidential Gala and Awards Banquet during the High Point Market.
The chapter is being honored for the bold initiatives it has taken to reorganize its operations and reframe its mission to align itself with the current economic situation and changing nature of the furniture industry. For more than 80 years the GNYHFA has served a membership composed of reps, retailers, manufacturer/importers and suppliers to the industry.
The organization's social and networking events include, supplier expo events, a black-tie dinner and dance, a golf outing, educational seminars and informal Texas Hold Em networking evenings. It also has been active as needed in local and state legislative issues affecting New York-area retailers and reps.
This past year, GNYHFA honored Neil Goldberg, Michael Goldberg and Steven Goldberg of Raymour & Flanigan at a highly successful dinner and dance gala. The Goldbergs received the Jerry Gans Memorial Award, its highest honor. The event, complete with a souvenir journal honoring them, drew roughly 450 industry members.
"Our Dinner Dance is a huge undertaking for the Association, spearheaded by our long-time member, supporter and past president Andy Gans of Gans Brothers," said said GNYHFA President Chris Delisa, Home Line's New York territory sales executuve. "Andy invests his own blood, sweat and tears to make sure this event is the highlight of the New York furniture industry's year."
In addition, GNYHFA recently redesigned its Web site, installing a Paypal feature to streamline dues and event payments, and instituted aggressive social networking with the creation of an active Linkedin site that now boasts around 250 members.
Despite of an aggressive event calendar and pro-active membership committee, the association is facing a long downward trend in membership, and a reduction in grass roots member participation.
"The NY home furnishings industry has changed in recent years," Delisa said. "Retail consolidations, and difficult business conditions have had a negative effect on our mid to large-sized, New York-based independent retail members. Don't get me wrong, there is still a lot of furniture sold in (New York), but it is sold through different channels. We are a historical organization based on long standing family ties and strong relationships, but at the retail level, to some degree, those ties have weakened in recent years. This same trend has made it difficult for many reps, especially in the mid and upper end who have fewer good customers to sell."
In recognition of a need to change the way the organization does business in order to generate more direct member involvement and reduce costs for members and supporters, GNYHFA recently decided to eliminate its full-time executive director position, cut office expense and initiate a grass roots effort to generate membership. It also allocated resources to focus on its core mission to help members become more efficient and profitable; influence general business conditions experienced by New York-area members; and promote good business practices through the exchange of ideas at networking events seminars and functions.
Just two weeks after the change in direction, membership was up by 20 percent, and member stores of the Fashion Home Group have rejoined the association, and rep membership is on the increase.
"With lower overhead and a more active membership, we are confident we are on the right track," Delisa said. "Change is never easy, especially for an association like ours. The fact is that although GNYHFA is an affiliate member of IHFRA providing representatives and now also retailers and suppliers with valuable discounts and services, our major strength comes from the ties we've formed locally. Our members have relationships that support and inform their lives and their ability to make a living in the furniture industry. We are committed to developing them further in the coming years by making it easy for local business people to join GNYHFA and stay involved."
April 5,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Advertising on April 6, 2010
Oxygen Media has secured Swedish home furnishings retail giant Ikea as a fully integrated sponsor of the cable network's show "Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood" Mediaweek reported Sunday.
The agreement includes product integration in two episodes of "Tori & Dean," in which the couple will renovate their kitchen with Ikea products.
In addition to branded vignettes, on-air billboards, tagged tune-ins and standard 30-second spots, Ikea also is exclusive sponsor of Oxygen network's Oxygenlive social media site.
April 5,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Advertising on April 6, 2010
The American Furniture Hall of Fame Foundation, High Point, is offering organizational window clings for members to display in their offices, showrooms, plants and stores.
"We hope our members will display these proudly in their windows to show their support for the foundation and the importance of preserving our industry's history," said foundation President Don Belgrad.
To get extra copies, call the foundation office at 336.882.5900.
The American Furniture Hall of Fame Foundation Inc. is an international, industry-wide organization founded to honor those individuals whose outstanding achievements have contributed to the continued growth and development of the U.S. furniture industry, and to research, collect and preserve the industry's cultural, economic and artistic history.
April 5,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Leather Upholstery on April 6, 2010
Leather upholstery vendor Natuzzi Americas Inc., High Point, has named Greensboro, N.C.-based Brand Communications Inc. its public relations agency of record for the North American market.
Natuzzi Americas is responsible for marketing and sales of three distinct furniture brands in the United States, Mexico and Canada under the Natuzzi Group brand umbrella: Natuzzi Italy, Natuzzi Editions and Italsofa.
"Natuzzi's commitment to our North American retail partners includes consistent exposure of each furniture brand to its target consumers," said Brad Cates, senior vice president of sales, Natuzzi Italy. "It is equally critical to keep the trade informed about new company initiatives and we are pleased to announce that Brand Communications will assume responsibility for these activities."
Brand Communications specializes in public relations and marketing communications within the home furnishings industry and is owned by Leslie Newby, president.
"The Natuzzi name is synonymous with Italian leather furniture innovation and productive trade partnerships," Newby said. "I am eager to promote that legacy within our industry as well as to raise awareness for the Natuzzi Group brands at the consumer level."
Effective immediately, all North American related media inquiries regarding Natuzzi Group will be directed to Brand Communications.
April 5,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on April 6, 2010
Klaussner Home Furnishings, Asheboro, N.C., announced Tuesday that longtime President and CEO JB Davis, will retire. Bill Wittenberg has been appointed as his successor.
Most recently, Wittenberg was president and CEO of Berkline Benchcraft.
Davis will remain with the company and assist Wittenberg during a three-month transition period. Davis will continue to serve as chairman of Klaussner's board of advisors.
"We have undergone a significant transition at Klaussner over the past two years, and I believe that we have positioned the company to grow and prosper once again," Davis said. "As chairman of the board of advisors, the company will benefit from my focus on strategic issues affecting the company while allowing Bill to take over the day-to-day management of operations. Bill brings a tremendous background of success in the industry and will help us complete the repositioning of the business."
At Berkline, Wittenberg was responsible for leading the turnaround of the company during the most challenging period for the industry in recent memory. His leadership was critical in stabilizing the company and guiding it through its sale to Sun Capital Partners.
"I am excited to have the opportunity to work with Klaussner and am honored to be chosen to replace JB Davis; Klaussner has long been one of the premier furniture manufacturers in the United States and JB has long been one of the industrys leading executives," Wittenberg said. "His vision and leadership will continue to be an important strategic resource for me and the company as we navigate the challenging landscape that is the furniture industry today."