Daily News Archive
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March 16,
2010 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Rugs on March 17, 2010
Former Capel Rugs Managing Director of Imports Norm Sweeters has formed Sweeters Consulting, LLC to provide sourcing, product development and purchasing capabilities to U.S.-based and international companies.
Sweeters, a 40-year veteran looks to offer services to businesses that already carrying rugs or wish to start programs of their own and import directly from foreign manufacturers.
Sweeters, a third-generation rug man, began his career with family-owned Pande Cameron & Co. of N.Y. Inc., an importer of hand knotted rugs from India. When Pande purchased the Fritz & LaRue Co., another leading rug importer, in 1986, Sweeters ran that company until it amalgamated with Pande in 1990. After 23 years in New York, he founded and was CEO of Mastercraft Imports Ltd., a specialist in high-end machine made rugs from Europe and hand knotted rugs from India. In November 2003, Capel Inc. purchased the inventory of Mastercraft and hired Sweeters as managing director of Imports. After more than six years with Capel developing numerous rug collections, he resigned his post on March 1 to embark on his new consulting venture.
"Many companies today who want to become more dominant in the rug business oftentimes remain on the fence for fear of making poor decisions on who to work with overseas--and rightly so," Sweeters said. "They may lack the knowledge to get them where they must go to be successful soonest. It takes many years to learn these ropes. We can eliminate the guesswork and nullify many of the risks by setting people up with talented, honorable sources for product through proper procedures only gained through many years of experience and success."
The company is based in Pinehurst, N.C. and can be contacted by phone at (910) 986-4777, or by e-mail, or by fax at (910) 215-5548.
March 16,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Case Goods on March 17, 2010
MMPI High Point announced today that Furniture Plaza will welcome two new companies showing in High Point for the first time. Oyimay Sofa will make its East coast debut in a 13,000-square-foot showroom in Furniture Plaza 600; and Trendwood will show in its new 3,000 square-foot-showroom, Furniture Plaza 400.
"Both Oyimay Sofa and Trendwood will be great additions to the sources already available in our building," said Brian Bunch, vice president and assistant general manager for MMPI High Point, owners and managers of Furniture Plaza. "We are thrilled they chose High Point Market and specifically Furniture Plaza to expand their presence east of the Mississippi."
Ounoya Sofa group is one of the largest Sofa manufacturers in Haining, China and has been supplying to OEM companies and retailers for the last six years. It operates under the trade names of Oyimay Sofa Group and Happy Leather Company; the two plants produce promotional to mid-market stationary and motion soft seating products covered in fabric and leather and ships all over the world. The current capacity is 1,200 to 1,400 containers per month.
They are introducing 25 new groups consisting of stationary and motion upholstery covered in fabric, leather and bonded leather. The styles range from traditional, to casual and contemporary. The primary focus will be directed towards power motion groups.
Trendwood, celebrating 25 years in business this year, is an Arizona-based manufacturer of solid wood youth bedroom furniture. They offer a large selection of solid pine youth bedrooms ranging from bunk beds, captain's beds, loft beds, bookcase/storage beds; and case goods to match. Trendwood also has many popular finish options.
At High Point Market this spring, Trendwood will also show its new Fort Collection, which features a clubhouse fort bed, tree house fort, and a mates bed fort. It also will show the new Alder Creek collection made from solid hardwood alder. The collection has three finish options and popular youth bedroom styles.
The upcoming Spring High Point Market runs from April 17-22.
March 15,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Advertising on March 16, 2010
Swedish retailer Ikea has chosen Ogilvy & Mather and the company's Hispanic partner, SCPF, to handle the retailer's communications account.
The new partner marks the end of a long history with Deutsch, which had worked with Ikea since 2006. Before joining hands in 2006, Ikea had worked with Deutsch for 10 years.
According to
Advertising Age, Ikea spends about $300 million globally in advertising.
Ikea started reviewing its advertising account in November and said it was interested in integrating its general market and Hispanic creative.
March 15,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedding on March 16, 2010
Bedding supplier Spring Air International has signed a license agreement with Egypt-based Bed Janssen & Co.
Bed Janssen is known as American Bedding to retail customers throughout Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. Based in Cairo, Bed Janssen will introduce the Spring Air brand April 7 and will produce and market the full line of Spring Air products including Back Supporter, Sleep Sense, and Chattam & Wells.
In addition, the company will use Spring Air's proprietary Comfort Silhouette Imaging Technology that performs body scans to calculate a retail customers' weight, Body Mass Index, areas of body pressure and support needs.
"We're very excited to have Bed Janssenan established and respected mattress manufacturersas a new licensee, as well as a full-line producer of Spring Air products," said Eric Spitzer, Spring Air senior vice president. "Spring Air is now in 32 countries. Our objective is not only to continue expanding our brand globally, but also to ensure full participation from our international partners in marketing the Spring Air brand and products."
Mohamed Mostafa, president of Bed Janssen, said he looks forward to the company's transition from making private-label goods to producing mattresses under the Spring Air umbrella.
We expect that stepping up to a recognized American mattress name will significantly impact our business here in Egypt and in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria, where we have equally significant distribution, Mostafa said.
Bed Janssen is expanding its current 70,000-square-foot factory to accommodate the Spring Air introduction.
March 15,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedding on March 16, 2010
Janet Cruz-Levy has been named the the newly created position of brand development manager for bedding supplier Comfort Solutions.
In her new position, Cruz-Levy reports to Owen Shoemaker, senior vice president of product and marketing for the company. She will assist in the development and promotion of new and existing product brands, including Comfort Solutions' Laura Ashley brand.
"Janet has had a range of experience in mattress and furniture wholesale, key account sales and retail store management," Shoemaker said. "Her particular background and skill set will be invaluable to us as we continue to develop sleep solutions and brands that are timely and relevant to both retailers and consumers."
Prior to joining Comfort Solutions, Cruz-Levy worked for the former Spring Air Licensee in Chicago as a sales representative and key account manager. She assisted with private label product development. Before that, she was as key account manager for Universal Furniture Co.