Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
July 16,
2007 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on July 2007
The Western Home Furnishings Association, Roseville, Calif., announced Monday the unveiling of an online sustainable business practices hub on its Web site.
“We at WHFA feel sustainability is a very important issue for our organization and our industry,” said Sharron Bradley, WHFA executive director. “Together we can make a significant contribution to protecting our environment and we want to provide retailers with the resources to help them run their businesses in a more eco-friendly fashion.”
WHFA’s online sustainability business practices hub provides numerous links to green manufacturers, retailers, support organizations and educational articles. To log-on, visit the Web site,
www.whfa.org, go to Industry Resources and click on Sustainable Business Practices.
“We’ve done the research to save retailers time and now everything is in place on our website which will just keep growing and evolving. We’re continuously looking for additional resources to be shared,” said Melissa Dressler, WHFA web manager.
The mission of WHFA is to promote sustainable business practices within the home furnishings retail community by offering knowledge and resources that encourage members to become more eco-friendly in their day-to-day operations.
July 16,
2007 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Home Office on July 2007
Martin Furniture, San Diego, and Kathy Ireland Worldwide announced Monday that they have extended their Kathy Ireland Home by Martin brand partnership to at least 2015.
The partnership will extend Martin Furniture’s official license to produce home office and home entertainment furniture under the Kathy Ireland Home brand. Martin and Kathy Ireland Worldwide originally teamed up in 2003.
“Our partnership with Kathy Ireland Worldwide has been and continues to be a beneficial and wonderful experience for me personally and for our company,” said President and Owner of KIHBM Gil Martin. “We have grown immensely over the past few years with the partnership being an important contributing factor. We appreciate Kathy and her team’s efforts in making in all facets of our business successful and meaningful.”
“Our relationship with Gil Martin and the entire Kathy Ireland Home by Martin Team is extraordinary,” said Kathy Ireland Worldwide CEO and Chief Designer Kathy Ireland. “The values, work ethic and commitment to excellence inspire us and are shared by both teams. We are very fortunate that this relationship continues to grow in such powerful ways. We believe that we’re just getting started. We look forward to continuing our partnership for many years to come.”
The extended partnership will allow the expansion of products under the Kathy Ireland Office by Martin brand. KIOBM will allow the design team to develop product made specifically for the commercial office industry. Current efforts include a seating program with executive and guest chairs.
July 15,
2007 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Retail Technology on July 2007
Retail automation vendor Escalate Retail, San Diego, announced Friday that Tim Kilbane has been promoted to vice president of the Technology Services Group, and Laura Weinhofer to vice president of marketing.
Kilbane, who most recently was vice president of operations, brings more than 22 years of experience in sales and operations in the furniture industry as both a retailer and vendor. In his new position, Kilbane will lead Escalate Retail’s services business, working closely with the general managers of each industry solution group to oversee integration, customization, systems infrastructure, education services, implementation services, and project management.
Prior to Escalate Retail, Kilbane held various positions at GERS Retail Systems including services support, and key account management for several top tier retailers including Home Depot, where he oversaw the retailer’s Order Management Services rollout.
Weinhofer, who’d been director of marketing services, brings more 20 years of retail software, marketing and professional services experience to Escalate Retail. Her new responsibilities include lead generation, product marketing, events, and strategic industry relations including analysts, customers, partners and press.
Weinhofer also has held various product support, professional and client service positions at GERS Retail Systems prior to her work at Escalate Retail. She began her career as a retailer, holding several management positions at Macy’s and The Gap.
“Tim and Laura are retailers at heart, with unique industry insight into the needs of our customers,” said Stew Bloom, CEO, Escalate Retail. “Their leadership and relationships with our long-time customers and business partners have been instrumental in contributing to the success and industry-leading growth that Escalate Retail has achieved.”
July 15,
2007 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Las Vegas on July 2007
World Market Center in Las Vegas market will again host a special event to honor furniture industry sales representatives prior to the start of the Summer 2007 Las Vegas Market with food, fun and music.
World Market Center’s special “Rep Appreciation Day” will be Sunday, July 29, and will offer food, beverages and hospitality throughout the day for all attending sales reps. Events for Rep Appreciation Day will run throughout the day in the Grand Atrium of Building B.
The First Rep Appreciation Day took place the day before the January 2007 Las Vegas Market and was an overwhelming success with the rep community, when World Market Center devoted an entire day of festivities to recognize the important efforts of furniture sales representatives.
Following breakfast and lunch, the day will culminate with a happy hour and music from the Good Vibrations Band, Las Vegas’ premier tribute to the spirit and music of the Beach Boys.
“Rep Appreciation Day is our way of showing the rep community how much we appreciate them as a driving force for the industry,” said Harvey Dondero, chief executive officer of World Market Center. “We hope that all industry reps find time to stop by, have something to eat and drink and enjoy themselves before the start to an exciting market week.”
July 15,
2007 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedding on July 2007
Following Spring Air’s merger with Consolidated Bedding in June, the company announced that it has completed its senior leadership team by appointing three Consolidated executives to top positions.
Spring Air, Elk Grove Village, Ill., merged with its largest licensee, Consolidated Bedding, in late June and acquired six other licensees that operate eight mattress factories in the United States to form a company with 1,150 employees in 14 locations.
Kevin Damewood, who joined Consolidated in 2006, has been named Spring Air’s executive vice president of sales. Damewood’s industry experience spans nearly 25 years, including heading Simmons’ 250-person sales team for five years before joining Consolidated.
Jan Wettergren, who also joined Consolidated last year, was named senior vice president of manufacturing. He had been director of Serta’s director of manufacturing systems and controls before joining Consolidated.
Ron Lueptow has been named chief financial officer. He has 25 years of financial and operations experience in multi-plant manufacturing companies, including Circor International, which makes valves and fluid controls. Since joining Consolidated in 2005, Lueptow has led restructuring operations that reduced costs and streamlined operations.
“We have assembled the best leadership team in the industry,” said Spring Air CEO Bob Hellyer in an announcement Thursday. “It is an exciting time for the Spring Air family of customers, employees and vendors/suppliers. We have a unique opportunity to grow a national, value-oriented S brand, and these industry leaders will be on the front lines of delivering value to our customers and people every day.”