Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
November 6,
2007 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on November 2007
Oklahoma City retailer Mathis Brothers Furniture has upgraded its business automation and information system to STORIS Management Systems’ Windows-based Vision R8 product. Mathis Brothers is a longtime client of Storis, Mt. Arlington, N.J.
“We needed the ability to grow the company with a retail solutions package that could adapt with our company. We knew that improving our technology platform was crucial to Mathis’ future growth as a Top Retailer in the industry, and Vision R8 was the obvious choice,” said Rich Mitton, Mathis’ information technology director.
Mitton was most impressed with the surprisingly smooth transition of sales staff from the old system to the new system, noting that “a comprehensive migration plan and excellent training allowed for a seamless transition.”
In addition to Vision R8’s robust enhancements, Mathis will take advantage of several Vision R8 companion products, including Data Warehouse, Advanced Warehouse Management and eSTORIS’ Internet-based Shopping Cart.
“Vision R8 will allow us to far exceed our previous capabilities,” Mitton said.
November 6,
2007 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Accessories on November 2007
Emess Design Group has named four new sales managers and representatives as the Pittsburgh, Pa.-based lighting vendor strengthens its national sales presence.
Alex Crumpler has joined Emess as regional sales manager, where he’ll be responsible for managing sales activities for key accounts, including Linens-N-Things and Bed Bath & Beyond, as well as major accounts in the Eastern region.
Karen Fallon will spearhead Emess’ Cresswell home lighting brand in her new position as Cresswell national sales manager. All associated sales representatives and agencies report to Fallon regarding Creswell sales initiatives.
John Ferrari, an 18-year home furnishings veteran, has joined Emess as a Cresswell sales representative for Northern California, Northern Nevada and Hawaii.
Jane Wegand, regional sales manager, will continue to position Emess as a premier source for decorative lighting products with existing major retailers, as well as identify and engage new targeted major retailers, throughout the Western region.
“We are fortunate to have these industry-experienced sales professionals, who strengthen our brand position and ensure the best lighting solutions and most responsive services to our customers,” said Rich Giron, president of Emess Design Group. “They are vital assets to our sales operations and to the continued growth of our company.”
November 5,
2007 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on November 2007
Home Furnishings Business will publish an all-industry buyer’s guide listing product and service partners in December.
The Big Black Book, a print companion to the online portal marketblackbook.com, will be mailed to the magazine’s regular retail circulation of 20,000, and an additional 10,000 will be mailed to credentialed interior designers.
“We are excited about continuing our mission to provide relevant content that matters to the retail community,” said Amy Kyle, publisher of
Home Furnishings Business. “
The Big Black Book is the first ever, all-inclusive industry directory, and we’ll display product category, tradeshow and business profile information of companies that serve home furnishings buyers.”
Listings in the book are free to qualified providers to the home furnishings industry, and the magazine is in the process of gathering the needed information.
Product manufacturers and importers can go
here to input address, telephone numbers, Web address, e-mail and other information. Industry suppliers can go
here to complete the required form for a listing.
November 5,
2007 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Case Goods on November 2007
Dan Bradley has been named president of the designer group of Furniture Brands International, a new position for the company.
Bradley is responsible for the Henredon, Maitland-Smith, Laneventure, Hickory Chair and Pearson businesses. He started with the company Monday.
“Working with the presidents of these brands, he will continue to strengthen our designer-based businesses, focusing on building our brands and creating the most effective, efficient and capable organization possible,” said Ralph Scozzafava, vice chairman and chief executive officer designate of Furniture Brands.
Prior to joining Furniture Brands, Bradley as president and chief executive officer of Ferguson Copeland. Before that, Bradley was president of Baker, Knapp and Tubbs. He previously worked in operations at Henredon. Prior to coming to the furniture industry, he worked in management consulting divisions of public accounting firms.
“I am pleased that Dan has agreed to become part of the Furniture Brands leadership team,” Scozzafava said. “He has delivered results both inside and outside of the furniture industry, and he has proven his ability to deliver results with the upper end brands in our industry. He will be a key contributor across all of Furniture Brands.”
November 5,
2007 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on November 2007
Wickes Furniture Co., Wheeling, Ill., will open its second Las Vegas-area store in Henderson, Nev., on Friday. A grand opening event is planned for Nov. 17-18.
The 40,000-square-foot showroom is located at 1080 W. Sunset Rd. in Henderson.
“We’re proud to open our second showroom in the Las Vegas area, where we’ll be introducing our newest furniture collection, Urban Innovations by Wickes, a line of beautiful and functional furniture for smaller spaces such as condos, townhouses and apartments,” said John Disa, Wickes Furniture president and CEO.
As a part of the grand opening celebration, Wickes Furniture has scheduled festivities at the new Henderson showroom, noon-5 p.m., Nov. 17 and 18. Activities will include a tailgate party with free hamburgers and hot dogs, live music and family entertainment; drawings for 2008 Rose Bowl tickets; furniture giveaways; and appearances by personalities from local radio stations, which also will provide promotions and prizes. Through Nov. 30, visitors to the Henderson showroom can enter a drawing to participate in a free, private design party (limited to 20 participants) with Frank Fontana, host of HGTV’s hit program “Design on a Dime.”
The new Henderson showroom will feature a natural brick exterior. Inside, brushed metal, wood trim, large glass facades, hundreds of accessories, and other embellishments will be arranged in casual, contemporary, traditional and country room group collections. The Henderson location also will feature a mattress gallery with a wide selection of brand names, including Sealy, Simmons, Nature’s Bed and Tempur-Pedic.
Wickes, owned by Boca Raton-based Sun Capital Partners, has 42 showrooms and five distribution centers in California, Illinois, Indiana, Nevada and Oregon.