February 13,
2013 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedding on February 14, 2013
Englander Sleep Products recognized its Midwest and Northwest operations for outstanding performance at the recent Las Vegas Furniture Market.
Kevin Toman, CEO and president of Olive Branch, Miss.-based Englander, presented the 2012 performance awards to Ed Ciolkosz and John Hagglund in Englanders new C-1596 market showroom following a board meeting held prior to the start of the home furnishings show.
Ciolkosz, owner of Chicago-based Englander Midwest, was honored for achieving a sales increase of more than 30 percent during the 2012 year. Hagglund, owner of Englander Northwest in Tualatin, Ore., and company chairman of the board, received the award for manufacturing excellence based on earning the highest quality scores in 2012 within the Englander group.
We believe in publicly recognizing each year those companies in our organization that have attained the best records in the critical areas of sales development and product quality, Toman said. Both of these factories turned in outstanding performances last year and were very proud to announce their respective achievements.
February 13,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Green on February 14, 2013
The next Sustainable Furnishings Council will feature Silver Exemplary members Harden Furniture and Room & Board.
Both companies are SFC founding members and very active in the organization. Steve Freeman, vendor resource manager of furniture retailer Room & Board, also serves as the president of SFC's board of directors. Harden President and CEO Greg Harden serves as Treasurer of the SFC board. Both men will share how implementing best practices for sustainability has saved the companies money while reducing their carbon footprint and also bringing them important recognition. They have earned Silver Exemplary status by implementing a range of practices and meeting rigorous requirements, the significance of which will be discussed.
This one-hour webinar, Feb. 21, noon-1 p.m. (eastern time) will give an overview of the environmental issues related to home furnishings, including the factual basis for climate change, problems with indoor air quality, toxic waste, and water conservation. Content also includes a synopsis of GREENleaders, the industry first certified sustainability training course.
This webinar is intended to give participants useful information you can begin using in your business immediately as well as answer any questions about getting the most out of SFC membership.
Click here to reserve a seat for the webinar.
February 12,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Aggregated Content in Furniture Retailing on February 13, 2013
from http://www.startribune.com/business/191003111.html
Americans barely spent more last month at retail businesses and restaurants after higher taxes cut their paychecks. The small increase suggests consumer spending may be weak in the January-March quarter, which could hold back economic growth.
Retail sales ticked up 0.1 percent in January from December, the Commerce Department said Wednesday.
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February 12,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Aggregated Content in Financial Reports on February 13, 2013
from http://www.rttnews.com/2056331/furniture-brands-intl-q4-loss-widens.aspx?type=ern
Retailing home furnishings company Furniture Brands International posted a wider loss for the fourth quarter, hurt by a charge, but sales were higher compared to last year.
For the quarter, net loss was $22.9 million or $0.41 per share, including a $10.8 million after-tax charge, partially offset by the reversal of a $2.4 million valuation allowance on tax assets.
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February 12,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Green on February 13, 2013
Steve Freeman of Room and Board is the 2013 president of the Sustainable Furnishings Council.
The organization announced new officers and new initiatives Tuesday.
Other 2013 board officers include Robin Wilson of Robin Wilson Home, vice president; Greg Harden of Harden Furniture, treasurer; and Peggy Burns of Circle Furniture, secretary.
Other new appointments to the board include Amy Smith of World Wildlife Fund's Global Forest & Trade Network and Norman Coley of Lee Inds. SFC Board members take responsibility for the organizations mission, developing goals annually and ensuring that programs move the industry forward.
The SFC board of directors made the appointments when they met last week in Minneapolis at the headquarters of Room & Board. The board also announced new initiatives and focus for 2013, including an amended membership structure, the review and revision of standards, and a new corporate sponsorship program.
I am excited to work with the new board of directors and executive committee to move the Sustainable Furnishings Council forward into a brighter future, said incoming SFC President Freeman. "Our recent meeting was extremely energetic and produced a clear plan for the direction we want to take the organization. Our hopes are to build on our past and include all of our members more in building our future. Our goal will continue to be to look at each sector of our industry and encourage everyone to take steps to help them make a difference in slowing the impact we all have on our planet."
Membership continues to be open to all, and continues to provide recognition of exemplary performance at the Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum levels for companies that have met strict requirements. Qualifying members use the member seal and are listed in a finder on the organizations website, and Exemplary Manufacturers use a tag on their products.
The organization announced a new entry level of membership. These member companies do not use the member seal, but are provided with educational programming and resources to help them qualify.
The Board is clear that our mission is to provide meaningful support to members, and I have no doubt that our improved membership structure and new programs will be effective in influencing progress towards the adoption of practices that make an immediate difference in the impact our has, not only on the climate crisis but also on many other problems that threaten our health and prosperity," said SFC Executive Director Susan Inglis. "I invite everyone to get involved.
The SFCs new corporate sponsorship program recognizes Sustainers, Friends and Colleagues for donations made to support the programming that moves the industry forward.
Other members of the SFC Board of Directors include Jeff Hiller, Proaction Marketing Group; Christina Nicholson, Williams-Sonoma; Mitchell Gold, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams; and Kathryn Fernholz, Dovetail Partners. Founder Gerry Cooklin, Arte y Madera, is ex officio on the board.