Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
March 29,
2007 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on March 2007
Wickes Furniture, Wheeling, Ill., will hold grand openings for two new California stores this weekend. With the new stores in Corona, Calif., and Beaumont, Calif., Wickes, one of the nation’s 25 largest furniture retailers, has grown to 41 locations in six states, including Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Oregon and California.
Each of the new stores is 42,000 square feet and features a large glass facade, brick, brushed metal, wood trim, hundreds of accessories and other embellishments. “We’re proud of our newest locations in Southern California,” said John Disa, CEO, Wickes Furniture. “Our designers have traveled the world and put together today’s most fashionable styles. Our goal is to make shopping at Wickes a truly enjoyable experience, and enable our customers to easily and affordably bring to life the homes of their dreams.”
Founded in 1971, Wickes is a Sun Capital Investment company. The weekend promotions will include visits by the Easter Bunny, discount sales, prize giveaways and appearances by Riverside County radio station personalities.
March 29,
2007 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on March 2007
The National Home Furnishings Association named Lack’s Stores of Victoria, Texas, and Cramer’s Home Furnishings of Ellensburg, Wash., as its Retailers of the Year during a gala dinner and awards presentation Tuesday at the High Point Market.
Lack’s, a 39-store chain, was selected for the award in a category for larger retailers (with sales over $10 million a year) and the five-store Cramer’s chain received the award for smaller companies. Retailers of the Year awards recognize service to the home furnishings industry, community contributions and creative leadership.
Lack’s stores is headed by Melvin and Janey Lack. Melvin Lack, a past NHFA president, has led the company’s growth from 11 stores when he joined the company in 1969 to 39 stores today. NHFA’s announcement cited Melvin Lack’s work with the Houston Furniture Bank after devastating hurricanes struck the Gulf Coast in 2005. Lack’s provided 20 truckloads of clothing and furniture to storm victims from its inventory worth more than $750,000.
Cramer’s, operated by Marty and Michelle Cramer, have grown to five stores in just 12 years. The stores are staunch supporter of charitable and community causes, and Marty Cramer is active in NHFA and serves as treasurer of the organization’s affiliate, the Western Home Furnishings Association.
March 28,
2007 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Case Goods on March 2007
Jasper Cabinet Co. and Superior Furniture Co. have partnered up to extend Superior’s custom finish capabilities to Jasper Cabinet’s line of occasional and accent furniture.
Robert Cribbs, president of Jasper Cabinet, revived the company on an import basis after Jasper shut down domestic manufacturing in Indiana several years ago. Superior Furniture, Lowell, Mich., has long promoted its 46 stain and paint finish options with three levels of distressing, performed in Lowell, for mostly occasional and dining furniture, and more recently bedroom.
“We are extremely pleased to be working with Superior Furniture Co. and believe this partnership produces one of the most unique furniture lines in the industry today,” Cribbs said.
Superior is a 71-year-old niche supplier of occasional, casual dining, bedroom, and accents offering a variety of finishes and distressing levels.
“We are ecstatic for the opportunity to work closely with Jasper Cabinet for years to come,” said Bill Lee, president and CEO of Superior Furniture Co. “Both companies have a long and distinguished history of servicing this industry featuring an unsurpassed finishing program offered through different networks of distribution throughout North America.”
Lee said that by June, Superior will be finishing Jasper Cabinet goods in Lowell. The companies will share warehouse space there to finish inventoried whitegoods to order for four-week delivery. The companies also will share some sales representation.
“Jasper is a non-competing business with Superior, and it allows us to build our own business model, too, by building out into some OEM work,” Lee said. “We’re taking what we’re known for in finishes and marketing that to other manufacturers.”
Lee added that Jasper Cabinet will develop point-of-sale materials highlighting its new finish options based upon Superior’s existing program.
March 28,
2007 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on March 2007
Klaussner Furniture Inds., Asheboro, N.C., has named Michael Meyers vice president of sales for Klaussner, California.
Meyers brings extensive sales experience and industry knowledge to KFI after more than 17 years’ with Broyhill in Houston, Stanley in Chicago, and most recently Drexel Heritage in California’s Bay area.
His responsibilities will focus on working closely with KFI’s West Coast sales force and major and mid-major accounts to increase market share.
“It’s really a refreshing change to be part of such a close-knit family with such innovative ideas,” said Meyers. “KFI is very dedicated to taking care of their customers and producing quality products. I feel very fortunate to be a part of their team.”
Steve Brower, senior vice president of sales for KFI, said, “We are very excited to have Michael with us. He brings a lot of experience and knowledge with him that will help us continue our growth on the West Coast.”
March 28,
2007 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Case Goods on March 2007
Decca Holdings Limited has agreed to acquire all the assets of contemporary uphosltery specialist Classic Gallery.
The deal is expected to close in early May.
Charlie Green, principle of Classic Gallery, will continue as president of the new company to be named Decca Classic Upholstery.
Richard Herbst, president of Decca Furniture (USA), Inc. said the company has been eager to improve its production efficiencies.
“We are extremely impressed with Classic Gallery Group and Charlie Greene for their experience and expertise, and the valuable qualities that they demonstrate as a team, including the attention to details, stringent inspection and precision standards,” Herbst said.
The acquisition is expected to create synergies for the company’s subsidiaries—Decca Hospitality Furnishings, Bolier & Co., and Decca Contract Furniture.
“By adding Classic Gallery into its portfolio, Decca can improve its operations and manufacturing process without sacrificing quality, and at the same time, reduce time and minimize cost for its valuable customers in the U.S.,” he said. “We expect to increase the size of the upholstery work force and develop a cost efficient manufacturing company that will compete in all three areas of Decca businesses.”
Decca is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and manufactures and installs high-end wooden furniture and architectural fixtures for hotels, serviced apartments and residences, executive offices and luxury brand stores.