Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
May 28,
2007 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on May 2007
Thomasville Stores of New Jersey, Fairfield, N.J., has hired Brand Communications Inc. as its public relations firm.
Brand Communications President Leslie Newby will execute a communications strategy to support furniture stores in Eatontown, Paramus, Princeton, Woodbridge and East Hanover, including regular and ongoing employee communiqués; Web site content development; and the distribution of press releases and product news targeting local newspapers and magazines.
Additionally, Brand Communications will work closely with advertising and marketing director Patty Forti to help promote in-store events and various charitable tie-ins. A new liaison between Thomasville Stores of New Jersey and a national service organization is planned.
The retailer already is a strong participant in efforts to support the communities where it does business. “In Time of Need,” a furniture donation program conceived last year as a way to provide eligible families and elderly individuals with furniture in cases of loss, destruction or lack, is one example of the retailer’s dedication to helping others. Thomasville Stores of New Jersey and New Jersey Affordable Housing Management Association, which administers the program, were co-honorees for National Affordable Housing Management Association’s 2006 Best Innovative Program award, presented at the national organization’s annual awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. earlier this year.
May 28,
2007 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on May 2007
The International Trade Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce proposes to organize a “Green Manufacturing Day” aimed at enhancing public-private interaction in the field of sustainable manufacturing.
ITA seeks public comment on areas of interest for discussion at the proposed event, tentatively scheduled for this September.
According to a notice in Monday’s Federal Register, Green Manufacturing Day’s purpose would include dissemination and promotion of best business practices in sustainable manufacturing; assisting small and medium-sized enterprises in identifying and implementing practical sustainable manufacturing solutions; providing information on relevant emerging technologies; educating participants about federal government efforts to promote sustainable manufacturing; and providing information on international sustainable manufacturing initiatives, projects, and opportunities.
The event would include presenters/speakers from a variety of stakeholder groups (i.e. private sector, government and academia) on a variety of topics relating to sustainable manufacturing.
Topic areas covered may include, but are not limited to, industrial recycling, natural resource conservation, water supply and waste-water treatment, solid-waste management, hazardous waste management, environmental assessment, environmental accounting, lean and clean manufacturing, regulatory compliance, renewable energy, remanufacturing, refurbishing/reconditioning, environmental technology research and development, and air pollution control.
Comments are due within 30 days of Monday’s notice in the Federal Register. Address all comments concerning this notice and requests to participate to William McElnea, U.S. Department of Commerce, Room 2213, 1401 Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, D.C. 20230; or e-mail at william.mcelnea@mail.doc.gov.
For further information, contact McElnea at (202) 482-2831.
May 24,
2007 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Advertising on May 2007
Doug Collier has rejoined La-Z-Boy Inc. as vice president and chief marketing officer.
Collier left La-Z-Boy in 2005 as chief marketing officer and joined Select Comfort as its chief marketing officer. Collier originally joined La-Z-Boy in 2002 as vice president of marketing for La-Z-Boy Residential.
In his new role, Collier will be responsible for coordinating all La-Z-Boy brand initiatives, including positioning throughout the corporation, globally and across the La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries system. He will report to Kurt Darrow, president and chief executive officer.
In addition, Collier will also have primary responsibility for marketing in the company’s residential division and, in this role he will report to Steve Matlock, senior vice president sales and marketing for La-Z-Boy Residential.
“I am delighted Doug has chosen to return to La-Z-Boy,” Darrow said. “As with his prior tenure at the company, he will undoubtedly make a great contribution during what is an important time in the company’s history. We have recently completed a significant consumer research project and are on the cusp of launching a new marketing campaign with a new advertising agency. Doug will be instrumental in leading what is already a strong brand marketing team through this new chapter in La-Z-Boy’s evolution.”
Prior to joining La-Z-Boy in 2002, Collier was senior vice president marketing and product management for Iomega Corp., a producer and marketer of computer peripherals. Previously, he was general manager of fittings and director of marketing and e-business at NIBCO, a privately held manufacturer of flow control products.
“I am excited to be returning to the La-Z-Boy team and am eager to tackle the new challenges this position will bring as La-Z-Boy continues to go through its own series of changes in what continues to be a very dynamic industry,” Collier said.
May 24,
2007 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Case Goods on May 2007
Akzo Nobel has agreed to acquire Chemcraft Holdings Corp., North America’s largest privately-owned manufacturer of industrial wood coatings.
Louisville, Ky.-based Akzo Nobel, a supplier of wood coatings for furniture, views the acquisition as a way to increase its North American business.
“This is a strategically important acquisition which will enable us to add scale and value in a number of key North American wood coatings markets,” said Akzo Nobel CEO Hans Wijers. “Chemcraft is a perfect fit with the activities of our Industrial Finishes business and will considerably enhance our presence in several complementary markets.”
Established in 1976, Chemcraft operates nine manufacturing facilities across the United States, Canada and Brazil, employing around 500 people. The company’s 2006 revenues were $145 million.
Subject to receipt of regulatory approvals the acquisition is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2007.
“This transaction is an excellent fit with our strategic goals, and supports our long-term commitment to the North American market,” said Robert Taylor, president and general manager of Akzo Nobel’s Global Industrial Finishes business. “Chemcraft is a dynamic, customer-focused organization which is perfectly aligned with the way we do business. Bringing these two successful businesses together will enhance our ability to better serve our wood customers.”
May 24,
2007 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on May 2007
Thirty-six hotels in the Piedmont Triad North Carolina region around High Point are now booking rooms at discounted rates secured through the High Point Market Authority for fall market, which takes place Oct. 1-7.
Some restrictions and minimum-night stays apply, and discounted rates will be available until August 31.
“We expect these discounted hotel rooms to book very quickly and encourage all attendees to book their hotel rooms early to ensure the best availability,” said Brian Casey, president and chief executive of the High Point Market Authority.
Most of the participating hotels are in Winston-Salem and Greensboro. Market Authority Vice President of Operations pointed out that both cities are convenient for marketgoers.
“For one thing, our free, comprehensive transportation system serves all of these properties, and you’ll save considerably on parking and rental car fees,” she said. “For another, there are plenty of dining options at area restaurants which tend to be less crowded in the adjoining cities.”
While lodging rates at High Point Market are moving in the right direction through the efforts of the Market Authority’s hotel task force, Casey said the problem “is complex and remains one of our more difficult, high-priority issues.”
“The situation will continue to improve as more new hotels come on line and we expect four new properties to open in time for Fall Market” he said. “Certainly, we will keep market attendees apprised as those rooms become available.”
To obtain information on discounted hotel rooms click
here, or contact the High Point Market Authority’s housing specialist, Dawn Smith, at (800) 874-6492 or (336) 869-1000, extension 231.
Room rates under the Market Authority’s agreement with area hotels range from $65/$80 at the Microtel Hanes Mall in Winston Salem to $279 for Embassy Suites in Greensboro. The two participating High Point hotels are Ashford Suites, $199; and Biltmore Suites $99/$159.