Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
October 22,
2008 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in on October 2008
Hooker Furniture, Martinsville, Va., has named Barney Peach to the new position of vice president of Asian operations, which the company says underscores a commitment to quality, on time delivery and the overall performance of its vendor network in Asia.
“We’re excited and appreciative that Barney has accepted this position in Asia,” said Paul Toms, chairman, chief executive officer and president of Hooker. “This is a great move for the company to put a seasoned officer on the ground in Asia, responsible for product quality, packaging, on time delivery and overall vendor performance. We’re continuing to improve in all these areas, but with the growth of our Asian staff now to approximately 25 employees, the company will benefit from having an officer to oversee this extensive effort on a daily basis.”
Toms noted that Peach’s “background in quality improvement, merchandising and engineering, along with his strong relationships with customers, vendors and our merchandising team, make him uniquely qualified to lead our Asian operations.”
Peach has been with Hooker since 1994, serving for a number of years as director of quality improvement. Most recently, Peach served as vice president of quality and process improvement. Prior to joining Hooker, he was with American of Martinsville.
Peach, who will reside in Asia along with his wife, LeNette, will assume his duties effective Nov. 1.
October 22,
2008 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on October 2008
Tom Staats, longtime president of Highland House, announced Wednesday that he is retiring. Parker Goss has been promoted to president of the Hickory, N.C.-based subsidiary of Century Furniture. Staats will work as a consultant on current and future projects at Highland House.
After a career that included both retail and manufacturing experience, Tom Staats joined Highland House in 1992 as national sales manager and was named president in 1996. When Century purchased Highland House in 2004, Staats continued his role as president and was instrumental in reestablishing Highland House as a leading source of fashionable, high-quality upholstery and case goods under the Century umbrella.
Parker Goss joined Highland House as a territory sales rep in 1989. He became vice president of sales and marketing in 1997, a position he held until 2003 when he left the company to join Southern Furniture. At Southern, Goss was vice president of sales until earlier this year. In April, Goss rejoined Highland House as vice president of sales.
October 21,
2008 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on October 2008
At the High Point Market Tuesday, World Market Center President and CEO Bob Maracich said he’s heard from a number of exhibitors this week who have urged him to reconsider a shift in the Las Vegas venue’s dates from late July to September in 2009—within four weeks of High Point’s event.
Those conversations have included Las Vegas exhibitors who also show in High Point and companies “we’d like to get,” he said. “I reiterate the reasons we made the change, which are all based on what our buyers want. ... The preponderance (of buyers) want a (Las Vegas) Market in February and September (in 2009). I’ve learned in my business career that you listen to your customers want.”
Earlier this month, the Las Vegas Market announced that its Fall 2009 event will be held Sept. 14 to 17. The Winter 2009 Market will be held Feb. 9-13, as previously scheduled. “February, where we are, is absolutely perfect in the furniture buying cycle, and (now) it’s balanced out by September,” Maracich said.
High Point officials, including Market Authority President and CEO Brian Casey, have been equally firm in recent weeks in stating that the Market here won’t shift its 2009 schedule from April 25-30 and October 17-22.
Privately, some High Point exhibitors with showrooms in Las Vegas have talked about the challenges of participating in two Fall events in a four-week span, but those executives have declined opportunities to discuss the matter publicly in on-the-record interviews with
Home Furnishings Business.
October 21,
2008 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Accessories on October 2008
The American Society of Furniture Designers named winners of its 13th annual Pinnacle Design Achievement awards Monday evening an awards ceremony and dinner in the Natuzzi showroom in High Point.
The 2008 Pinnacle Award winners, including comments from the Pinnacle judges, are:
Accessories: River Rock Planters by Jason Phillips for The Phillips Collection.
“Done in a grand scale. Earthy and serene. Judges loved the Zen quality and excellent use of materials.”
Bedroom: Zacara Collection by Troy Hollis for Lexington Home Brands.
“We found the collection clean lined and understated. The use of fabric in the headboard was ingenious!”
Casual Dining: Origins Tables by Nuttapon Potaton for The Phillips Collection.
“The Origins Table Collection redefines the category! It has an exotic look and makes an eco-friendly statement!”
Home Entertainment: Adagio by Ken Levi and Andy Nielson for aspenhome.
“Judges noted the sculptural quality, richness of materials, and thoughtful modern lines.”
Formal Dining: New Vienna by Scott Hamed for Scott Thomas.
“New Vienna projects a rich look, a new traditionalism with exquisite elements of formality. It’s unique environmental finish was a winner!”
Home Office: Map Desk by Glenn Yelvington for Maitland Smith.
“This beautiful piece celebrates the craft of inlay. A remarkable piece of work in todays’ world!”
Juvenile: Jr Stella Stackables by Jonsara Ruth for the Q Collection.
“An eco-friendly, all natural design, with a fresh sassy look. The Stackables engaged us all, and appeal not only to a children’s market.”
Leather Upholstery: Stiletto Chair by Joe Mallison for Century Furniture
“We loved it! Rock Star presence!”
Motion: Spinnaker by Louis Lara for American Leather
“This piece was futuristic with dynamic form and beautiful lines. Stunning to see such absolute function and elegance in a recliner.”
Occasional Tables: WireForm Table by Paul Rosebrock and Craig Stout for Ethan Allen.
“Judges responded to the contrast in metal and glass, beautiful scale and proportion, and stellar execution!”
Stationary Upholstery: Cadden Cutaway by Paul Galli,
Jason Culler and Marissa Brown for Martha Stewart Living with Bernhardt
“The use of materials and textures was clean and graceful, with an absolutely timeless appeal.”
Lighting: Dyad Lamps by Charles Camacho, George Chandler and David Martin for Hubbardton Forge .
“This collection exhibited strong architectural style softened by relevant materials.”
Summer Casual: Stratus by Jarrod Lim for Selamat.
“Uncommonly clean and forward thinking, with a nod to Mid-Century Modern.”
Occasional Storage: Six Drawer Console by Katie Hatch for Brastilo.
“Incredible. Achieves a lightness that belies such a substantial piece. A real value for an eco-friendly product”
Major Collections: New Horizons by Paul Rosebrock and Craig Stout for Ethan Allen.
“Classic clean lines, style, and substance. A cohesive collection with thoughtful contrast in texture and finish that represents today’s lifestyle.”
October 21,
2008 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on October 2008
Alfred Audi, Wogan Badcock Jr., Bruce Lauritsen, Pasquale Natuzzi Named to American Furniture Hall of Fame
The American Furniture Hall of Fame inducted four new members at a sold-out 20th Anniversary banquet Tuesday night at High Point Market: Alfred J. Audi, Wogan S. Badcock Jr., K. Bruce Lauritsen and Pasquale Natuzzi. (HFB)
Susie Coehlo, television personality, author and home furnishings guru hosted the induction gala, which was attended by an international collection of 373 retailers, buying group members, interior designers, manufacturers, suppliers and association leaders.
Audi (b 1938 d 2007) and his wife, Aminy Audi, transformed L. & J.G. Stickley from a company of fewer than 25 employees into a thriving international business with three factories, 14 showrooms and more than 1,600 employees. Audi purchased the Heirloom Upholstery factory and continued to employ the workforce as Stickley Fine Upholstery. He also purchased and revitalized John Widdicomb, Cibola Leather and Madison Square. This year, Stickley also acquired Nichols & Stone.
Badcock (b 1932 d 1996) was president of W.S. Badcock Corp., a company founded by his great grandfather. During his 30-year tenure, Badcock expanded the chain to more than 300 stores throughout the Southeast, providing entrepreneurial opportunities for more than 200 associate dealers in six states. He paved the way for extensive growth and innovation while maintaining the family-like atmosphere of the company.
Lauritsen (b 1942 d 2007) rose from sales trainee in 1968, to president in 1989, to CEO in 1993 of Flexsteel Inds. Flexsteel’s revenues grew from $19.9 million in 1968 to $172 million in 1989 to $425 million in 2007. Mr. Lauritsen launched Flexsteel’s first in-store gallery in 1984; today there are more than 600. A member of the board of the American Home Furnishings Alliance since 2000, he joined their executive committee in 2005.
Natuzzi (b 1940) is founder, chairman and chief designer of the Natuzzi Group, the world’s leading producer of leather sofas and Italy’s largest furniture manufacturer. Natuzzi transformed the industry by democratizing the leather sofa, a product once reserved for the elite. With revenues of 634.4 million euros and more than 8,000 employees, the Natuzzi Group today operates 12 factories worldwide. Natuzzi Americas is based in High Point, N.C.
“We are proud to honor the contributions of these extraordinary leaders in home furnishings,” said Donald Belgrad, president of the American Furniture Hall of Fame Foundation. “Each is a shining example of leadership, service and integrity in our industry. Their pioneering achievements and steadfast dedication will continue to serve as an inspiration in the years to come.”
The inductees were elected by members of the American Furniture Hall of Fame Foundation Inc. based on detailed information about their professional achievements, personal standards and civic involvement. The voting period began July 1 and ended July 31.