Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
March 21,
2007 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Markets on March 2007
The High Point Market Authority has teamed with Gefen Productions to produce “High Point Live,” which will provide daily video coverage of market news and product information that will be shown on video terminals in market buildings. The videos will also be available via the Market Authority’s Web site,
www.highpointmarket.org, throughout the year, and new segments will also be distributed weekly via e-mail.
“‘High Point Market Live’ is designed to entertain, educate and enhance the experience of our market guests, and to promote the thousands of new product introductions that are offered at the High Point Market every season,” said Brian Casey, president and CEO of the High Point Market Authority. “Our intent is to contribute to this industry year-round and to support its growth in any way that we can through our markets, through education and through strategic partnerships such as this one.”
Gefen Productions President Ellen Gefen said her long-running show “Home Fashion Report,” which was broadcast in the Triad during markets, will be repositioned for a consumer audience. She said visitors can subscribe to receive videos daily during market at
www.highpointmarketlive.com.“While the show at market will give attendees a great overview, the new idea of video e-mails sent out daily during market and then weekly following the markets, will help the industry move forward by utilizing an exciting new communication vehicle,” Gefen said.
March 21,
2007 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on March 2007
Outdoor apparel and lifestyle brand Woolrich announced Wednesday that it has named James Griggs president, and Charles Aides chairman of the board. The moves are part of a succession plan in response to the untimely death of Woolrich president and CEO, Roswell Brayton Jr., last week.
Griggs most recently had been vice president of finance. He joined Woolrich, Woolrich, Pa., in 1987 and has held various positions in finance and accounting. He was named vice president of finance in 2005 and named to the Woolrich board of directors in 2006. He is a native of Williamsport, Pa., and a graduate of Bloomsburg University.
Aides adds the chairman responsibilities to his duties as senior vice president of apparel manufacturing and sourcing. He began his career with Woolrich in 1989 as the group-manufacturing manager of the southern/western division located in Ailey, Ga. Aides moved to Woolrich headquarters in 1994 when he was promoted to vice president of apparel manufacturing and sourcing. He currently serves as senior vice president of apparel manufacturing and sourcing, a position he has held since 1999. Aides was named to the Woolrich board of directors in 1997. Born in Newnan, Ga., he is a graduate of Georgia State University.
“It is a sad and tragic situation,” Griggs said in a release. “But we must move forward for the sake of the company and the employees. Roz cared deeply about Woolrich and he wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. We have a great group of people here at Woolrich and that will make this transition easier.”
“We intend to proceed in the direction that Roz established,” said Aides. “He had a vision for the company that remains unchanged. I look forward to working with this team to continue with his plans.”
March 21,
2007 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Home Office on March 2007
Herman Miller, Zeeland, Mich., announced a 14.3 percent sales increase during its third quarter, which ended March 3. With net sales of $484.8 million, the company’s net earnings increased 44.2 percent to $32.3 million, according to the company’s announcement Wednesday.
It was the company’s 13th quarter of year-over-year growth in sales, despite what CFO Beth Nickels called volatility in weekly order rates. “On a fiscal year basis, we continue to outperform the industry. We attribute much of our success to our strategic initiatives to grow the business through investments in new products and new markets.”
Company officials said growth in orders was helped by a price increase the office and residential furniture company enacted in 2006. With the strong results, CEO Brian Walker said the company is “on a path toward reaching our goal of $2.6 billion in revenue by 2010.”
March 21,
2007 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on March 2007
Lexington Home Brands has added a 6,500-square-foot Design Center to the third floor of its Thomasville, N.C., showroom.
The creative operations center makes its official debut during next week’s High Point Market.
The Design Center houses product development, interior design and engineering teams in one sleek and contemporary space that is flooded with natural light.
Linda King, director of interior design for Lexington Home Brands, said, “The space itself is inspiring. It fosters creativity and it’s much more integrated to have product and design people sharing ideas in a central location.”
The center includes a conference room, a materials library, a publications library, and a “war room” where designers can work with sketches and inspiration boards during product development. Dealers also will utilize the space as they collaborate with the Lexington design team on new product design ideas, develop samples and finalize development.
“There was a bit of disconnect between our design teams before we opened the new center,” said Phil Haney, president and CEO. “The space now offers an opportunity for sharing ideas and creativity, producing more cohesive product designs and development.”
March 20,
2007 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on March 2007
Fabric supplier Valdese Weavers is expanding its domestic manufacturing operations by acquiring a 198,000-square-foot factory in Valdese, N.C.
Formerly owned by Carolina Mills, the factory will be the company’s third in the town and will be used as a finishing plant and to house the company’s Valdese International Products (VIP) brand. The addition of the new plant will result in about 61 new jobs, and the company plans to invest $19.3 million over the next three years in the facility.
Valdese will begin its move in May and will begin installing finishing equipment in June. The plant is expected to be fully operational by January.
“Valdese Weavers is extremely gratified to be in this position to expand our operations and add jobs in North Carolina,” said Mike Shelton, president and chief executive officer. “After a very deliberate evaluation of opportunities to either expand globally or to other areas domestically, we have chosen to make this commitment to grow our business in Valdese, where we have a 72-year heritage.”
Shelton said the company has been fortunate in today’s economic climate to continue on its growth path.
The One North Carolina Fund kicked in $130,000 in grant money to help fund the expansion. Grants from the state fund require and are contingent upon a local match. In addition to the One fund grant, the company will receive possible tax credits, potential grants from the State of North Carolina Economic Development Board, the Duke Energy Economic Rider, and by additional support provided by Burke County, the Town of Valdese and the Burke Partnership for Economic Development.
“Since 1935, Valdese Weavers has operated and thrived in the face of an ever-changing and fiercely competitive global economy,” said N.C. Governor Mike Easley. “Their success in North Carolina provides proof that the state is making smart choices and investments to help our companies remain top competitors in the 21st century.”