Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
February 28,
2007 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Upholstery on March 2007
Eric Light has been named director of customer and distribution services for Norwalk Furniture Corp. With the appointment, Light also joins the company’s executive team.
In this new position, Light will assume responsibility for the customer service, quality and transportation departments at Norwalk. A primary responsibility, according to President Rick McKirahan, is to grow the company’s distribution and transportation network capabilities.
“Eric brings an extensive background to the position, which will enable us to synchronize, and enhance the full portfolio of products and services that we offer to our customers,” McKirahan said.
Light’s background includes operations, logistics, direct sales, sales management, marketing, customer service, strategic planning and training.
From 1990 to 2001, Light held various positions at UPS, including operations manager, account executive, senior pricing and marketing manager, and customer service and sales manager. Following his tenure at UPS, Light accepted a position with W.W. Grainger Corp. where he remained until joining Norwalk. At W.W. Grainger, he served in several capacities including strategic account manager, national sales training manager and before accepting the position at Norwalk, district sales manager.
“Eric is well prepared to make a significant contribution at Norwalk,” McKirahan said. “He not only offers a broad background, but years of direct-to-customer service experience in other industries, which will only further complement our leadership team.”
February 28,
2007 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Upholstery on March 2007
Steven M. Smith has been named chief financial officer of Berkline BenchCraft Holdings.
Smith succeeds Mark A. Roberts, managing director of Alvarez & Marsal, who assumed the position in July 2006 and remains with the company in a senior advisory role. Smith’s appointment marks the culmination of a reorganization of the company’s management team that began last summer when Berkline/BenchCraft retained Alvarez & Marsal to assist in an operational reorganization.
“We are delighted to have Steven Smith join our management team,” said Bill Wittenberg, president and chief executive officer of Berkline/BenchCraft. “Steven brings many years of experience in consumer products, manufacturing, distribution, and retail. He also brings an international expertise at a time when our industry is undergoing accelerated change as more and more of our operations are being conducted in a global environment.
“We now have in place one of the strongest executive management teams in the furniture industry that will drive the implementation of our strategic business plan,” Wittenberg said.
Prior to joining Berkline Benchcraft, Smith was a financial executive for MTD Products, Inc., a privately held consumer products company based in Ohio. Smith’s responsibilities included chief financial responsibility for MTD’s international business unit as well as the company’s worldwide corporate and strategic development operations. In addition, he redesigned management reporting and provided leadership focused on key financial and operational measures.
Smith joins Jeff Hale and Larry Smith, whose appointments as executive vice president and COO and senior vice president of sales and marketing, respectively, were announced earlier.
Together they form an executive management team including Wittenberg, Dal Eckard, executive vice president and chief marketing officer, and Dennis Carper, senior vice president of human resources.
February 28,
2007 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on March 2007
The Trump Organization has partnered with Miresco Decorative Rugs to produce a collection of rugs based on the lifestyle of real estate and television entrepreneur Donald J. Trump.
The Trump Home rug collection, which will debut at the upcoming High Point Market, will offer rugs in a variety of constructions and price points for distribution through furniture retailers, department stores, and independent retailers.
Inspired by Trump’s personal homes and luxurious properties, the Trump Home rug collection will offer consumers an affordable way to experience the luxurious lifestyle associated with Donald Trump.
“We have been working together with Miresco to create a beautiful line of rugs that will coordinate with the introduction of the Trump Home furniture collection by Lexington Home Brands, as well as stand on its own merit,” said Cathy Hoffman Glosser, vice president of global licensing for The Trump Organization.
“My inspiration for the collection was to create affordable rugs that are sophisticated in design and made from luxurious fabrics,” said Trump himself. “A coordinated effort of furniture, rugs and accessories makes the decision making process easier for home owners looking to update their homes. I am thrilled to partner with Miresco and together we will create a tremendous line of rugs.”
The rugs will be available in over 40 sizes and color ways and will include traditional and transitional designs with a variety of elegant and sophisticated motifs in New Zealand wool with silk highlights; and both hand tufted and hand knotted rugs. The sizes offered will range from 5-feet by 8-feet to 10-feet by 14-feet and include runners, round and square options.
Miresco High Point showroom is at 126 South Centennial St., Space 300. The rugs are expected to be in retail stores in summer of 2007.
February 28,
2007 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Upholstery on March 2007
Citing continued weakness in retail furniture sales, Klaussner Furniture Inds. announced Tuesday that it will close its upholstery plant in Bruce, Miss., effective April 27.
KFI will shift Bruce production to its North Carolina plants.
“While this is a difficult decision, it should in no way be seen as a reflection on the employees at the Mississippi facility,” said J.B. Davis, President and CEO of KFI. “The employees at Bruce have worked hard and have been an important part of the overall success of KFI.”
The company will work with state and local agencies to provide assistance to employees in transitioning into new employment or career training opportunities.
February 28,
2007 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on March 2007
By arriving in the middle of the March 26-April 1 High Point Market, buyers and designers can save money at hotels offering special $89 to $160 mid-week rates, High Point Market Authority officials announced Tuesday.
“Many area hotels are trying to accommodate the various needs of market attendees, and some are offering reduced rates for buyers coming later in the week,” said Dawn Smith, who oversees travel arrangements for visitors at the Market Authority. “The key to securing these special room rates is to book your travel through the Market Authority.”
Market Authority President Brian Casey said one result of the event’s new, shorter Monday-Sunday schedule is that the major events are not as “front-loaded” at the beginning of the week.
“This Market, attendees can get their work done, learn something new, and be entertained on Friday just as thoroughly as they would be on Monday,” Casey said.
While those arriving later in the week may miss Hall & Oates performing in the “Stars Under the Stars” tent near Showplace on Monday night, they can still catch acts like Eddie Money on Wednesday and Morris Day and the Time on Friday, officials said.
More information is available at Highpointmarket.org.