Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
March 19,
2007 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Case Goods on March 2007
Gary Harmon has been named senior vice president of sales, merchandising and marketing for Hamilton Spill Furniture Group.
Harmon’s career in the furniture industry spans more than three decades. Reporting to Rick Verjee, Hamilton Spill Furniture Group president, Harmon adds marketing to his responsibilities.
Prior to the promotion, Harmon was senior vice president of sales and merchandising for the company.
“Gary is well known for his exceptional work ethic, his passion for the furniture business and his keen intellect,” Verjee said. “Together with his many other admirable characteristics, Gary will provide leadership, focus and integration to sales, merchandising and marketing efforts in North America as HSFG seeks to profitably grow to $500 million in sales and beyond.”
March 19,
2007 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on March 2007
Banyan Trading Co. Inc., an Atlanta-based importer of eco-friendly case goods, upholstery, accent furniture and accessories, will make its debut at the High Point Market next week in the Commerce & Design Building, Space 4-P.
The company was launched last fall by Bill Grace, formerly vice president of merchandising for Storehouse Inc.; and co-founder Donna Lindahl, formerly Storehouse director of inventory.
Banyan designs and imports style-driven home furnishings made of mostly natural, renewable or sustainable materials. Dense hardwoods in rich, warm finishes are selected for interesting grain characteristics, and are kiln-dried to reduce splitting and cracking.
“We are presenting a fresh approach to creating home furnishings solutions,” said Grace, president. “Our designs are emotionally compelling, inspired by the past with a focus on the future and the aesthetics of life – enjoyment, health and the comfort of good design.”
Grace acknowledged that the eco-friendly materials often cost more.
“We believe that managing a forest versus clear cutting a forest is the right approach,” he said. “Using organic cotton eliminates the use of pesticides on acres of land. Water-based, formaldehyde-free lacquer is sprayed in water-washed recycling booths. Glues do not include volatile organic compounds and are biodegradable.”
Banyan will be open daily during regular Market hours and will serve Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream 2-5 p.m., Wednesday of market.
March 19,
2007 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Case Goods on March 2007
Contemporary case goods and upholstery vendor Excelsior Designs, North Amityville, N.Y., has named sales representation for several territories to support expanded distribution.
Lisa Arose and Carolyn Sipes will cover Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska and Western Canada; John Brennan and Gayle Brennan, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Colorado; Russell Buccola, California, Arizona, Southern Nevada and Hawaii; and Pat Mahoney, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota.
“The success of our licensed Nicole Miller Collection and the debut of an exclusive, custom rug program have greatly broadened our product offerings,” said Steven Kayne, president. “This new representation was chosen to support our distribution strategy into these new categories.”
The 25-year-old company has evolved from one whose distribution was primarily contemporary specialists to also having strong product representation in major independent furniture retailers across the country.
Excelsior Designs’ first collection for designer Nicole Miller hit North American retail floors in 2006. The company later added a custom program featuring wool and silk handcrafted rugs from Carpet Creations to complement the Excelsior Designs and Nicole Miller Collection furniture lines.
At the spring High Point Market, a second licensed furniture collection for Nicole Miller will be introduced at Excelsior Designs’ showroom, IHFC-D110, which the company shares with its leather upholstery division, Casa Novalia.
March 19,
2007 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Accessories on March 2007
Barry Wabler has been named chief financial officer of Currey & Co.
Responsible for overseeing accounting, finance, systems, risk management and administration for the company, Wabler reports to Marion Kelly, president.
Prior to joining Currey & Co., Wabler was with Hotel Equities in Atlanta where he was chief financial officer for the last seven years. In addition, he was responsible for hotel acquisitions, dispositions and new hotel development. A certified public accountant, Wabler’s experience includes seven years with Arthur Andersen & Co., as well as serving as chief financial officer of a national foodservice organization and a distributor of commercial building components.
“It’s exciting to join a team of such talented and experienced industry professionals committed to distinctive product, innovative design and exemplary customer service,” Wabler said. “I’m impressed with how Currey & Co. has identified its three stakeholders—customers, owners and employees—and balances decisions based on these relationships. The company’s culture of creativity and learning is very evident and its impact is growing to everyone’s benefit.”
March 19,
2007 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on March 2007
The High Point Market Authority has made its Market Preview Guides available online at
www.highpointmarket.org. Visitors to the site can view the 2007 Furniture Preview and the 2007 Accessories Preview page by page and share highlighted items with colleagues.
“The pages of each of the new Market Preview Guides provide buyers, retail owners and designers an exciting look at what more than 2,600 exhibitors are planning to show this season” during the March 26 to April 1 market, said Brian Casey, president and CEO of the High Point Market Authority. “By introducing the Previews on our Web site,we’re extending the reach and utility of the guides, while adding yet another new element to our user-friendly site.”
The Preview Guides are also available on the Web site of the International Home Furnishings Center,
www.ihfc.com. The online versions of the Preview Guides feature detailed images, and are designed so visitors can post notes on favorite pages and send emails to colleagues that highlight marked pages or notes. Print versions of the Preview Guides will continue to be mailed to attendees four weeks before each market.