Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
December 30,
2008 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on December 31, 2008
The Home Furnishings Independents Association (HFIA) has entered into an agreement with Trustmark Affinity Markets, a division of Trustmark Life Insurance Co., to offer a health insurance program designed exclusively for HFIA member firms with two or more employees.
The health plans are underwritten and administered by Trustmark Affinity Markets, and are designed to help members better manage their health insurance costs and combat the rising cost of healthcare.
"HFIA has always been the choice and voice of the independent-thinking home furnishings professional," said Jana Sutherland, group health insurance administrator of the Dallas-based home furnishings association. "We are dedicated to helping our members succeed."
The health insurance program, available for effective dates of Feb. 1, 2009, and later, offers nationwide network access and provides medical, prescription drug, dental and life/AD&D coverage in one package. Additionally, the program offers a unique comprehensive suite of wellness and condition management tools through Healthy Foundations to help maximize the health potential of every plan participant, and easy enrollment online or via phone with Express Connect paperless employee enrollment.
"Using Express Connect expedites the underwriting and enrollment process substantially, reducing typical industry delays of incomplete applications and local brokers needing to collect data. Everyone wins," Sutherland said.
For further information, contact Jana Sutherland at (800) 942-4663.
December 30,
2008 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Mattresses on December 31, 2008
The Better Homes and Gardens brand is being extended into sleep with a partnership with Five Star Mattress, a bedding company launched by the owners of Serta.
Better Homes and Gardens joined with Universal Furniture to create one of the most successful launches of the past two decades, according to a news release Tuesday, and the magazine has also teamed with Wal-Mart on an extensive line of products for bedrooms, bathrooms, dining rooms and living rooms that launched in the fall.
The Better Homes and Gardens mattress collection will consist of innerspring and specialty beds ranging in price from $799 to $1,599.
"We've listened closely to what female consumers are looking for in terms of bedding," said Donna Zett, President, Five Star Mattress. "Now, more than ever, women want affordability, comfort and quality. This new line delivers on all three fronts."
The new bedding line will be unveiled at the Las Vegas Furniture Market in February. Product will be available to consumers at furniture and sleep shops nationwide beginning in March.
December 30,
2008 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Merchandising on December 31, 2008
The Northeast Mississippi cut-and-sew operations of Lane Furniture, H.M. Richards and Bauhaus USA are now part of a Foreign Trade Zone manufacturing authority, according to local reports.
The trade zone designation allows manufacturers importing raw materials or exporting finished goods to get a break on duties and processing fees.
The three furniture companies employ around 950 people in Lee County, and each save more than $1 million a year for the cost of importing raw materials.
December 30,
2008 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on December 31, 2008
Bassett Furniture Industries announced Tuesday that Keith Sanders is retiring as senior vice president of operations and logistics 10 years after joining the company as vice president of upholstery.
Sanders, who spent 20 years at Ethan Allen before joining Bassett, became the company's executive vice president of operations in 1999, with responsibilities for upholstery and wood manufacturing, domestic and global sourcing, quality control, customer service and logistics. More recently, Sanders had been focused on implementing global warehousing and logistics strategies to improve domestic delivery times and reduce transportation costs.
"Under Keith's leadership, cellular manufacturing was introduced at the upholstery division, resulting in significant improvements to quality, reduced manufacturing lead times and improved profitability," said Rob Spilman, president and CEO of the Bassett, Va., company. "We are grateful for his commitment to improving our operations and wish him the very best in his retirement."
December 29,
2008 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Youth, Juvenile Furniture on December 30, 2008
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Munire Furniture, Piscataway, N.J., announced a voluntary recall last week of around 3,000 Munire "Newport Rubbed Black" 4-in-1 cribs and 6,000 pieces of matching furniture.
Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. The red paint underneath the black finish paint on some of the cribs and matching furniture exceeds federal lead limits. If ingested by young children, lead can cause adverse health effects. Munire has received one report of a child ingesting the paint. The child was diagnosed with lead poisoning.
The recalled cribs and furniture are made of wood and have a rubbed black finish. Only the "Newport Rubbed Black" cribs and matching furniture manufactured in Indonesia between April 2006 and November 2008 are included in this recall. The model number, date and country of manufacture are printed on the label attached to the side panel of the crib and the date of manufacture is on the back panel of the furniture.
Models included in the recall are 7900, 7901, 7902, 7905, 7906, 7907, 7908, 7914, 7915, 7918, 7929 and 7975. The pieces were sold at specialty furniture stores nationwide from April 2006 through November 2008 for about $600 for the crib, and the matching furniture pieces were sold between $700 and $1,000. Additional accessories were sold for about $170.
Consumers should immediately stop using the products and contact Munire Furniture to receive a replacement coupon which will entitle consumers to exchange the products for another product free of charge. For more information, call Munire Furniture toll-free at (866) 586-9639 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Eastern Time Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.munirefurniture.com