Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
February 27,
2007 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in on February 2007
A Vaughan-Bassett factory near Marion, Va., that closed in January will return to production as a result of a decision by Wellborn Cabinet to invest $3 million and create 100 jobs in the Smyth County building, Virgina Gov. Tim Kaine announced Tuesday.
In the announcement, officials noted that giving the factory new life goes against a long-standing trend of factory shutdowns in the region.
“It is crucial to replace the loss of an older business in the region, and Wellborn Cabinet fits the bill as an established, successful company,” Kaine said in a statement.
The January shutdown of the factory idled 60 workers, and Kaine said Wellborn selected the site after considering locations in Kentucky, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Ashland, Ala.-based Wellborn has been making kitchen and bath cabinets for more than 45 years. Company Chairman and President Paul Wellborn said the company selected Virginia due to its experienced employee base, nearby lumber sources and support from Smyth County and the state. Virginia will provide more than $150,000 to assist the county with the project, and the company will be eligible for additional assistance, including job training.
February 27,
2007 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedding on February 2007
Serta International has partnered with a Russian mattress manufacturer for production and distribution of Serta bedding in Russia.
Askona Holding Co., the Russian manufacturer, will introduce the Serta product to consumers in May at the Furniture Fair in Moscow.
In addition, Serta Trading Co. will become the official supplier of Serta mattresses to many hotels in Russia.
“We are very excited to partner with Askona Holding Co. to introduce the Serta brand into the Russian market,” said Bob Malin, vice president of licensing for Serta International. “This is an opportunity to bring the innovation, comfort and quality of our products to the people of Russia for the first time.”
Serta Trading Co. also will sell bedding in Belarus, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and the Baltic States.
Askona Holding Co. is the leading mattress manufacturer in the Russian market. Through partnerships with suppliers such as Leggett & Platt, Sapsa Latex and Bekaert Textiles, Askona has made consistent investments in the quality of its products. Askona is headquartered in Kovrov, Russia, and has two production facilities and six regional warehouses throughout Russia. Askona supplies a number of well-known furniture distributors in the Russian market, including IKEA.
Headquartered in Hoffman Estates, Ill., Serta has 25 U.S. and four Canadian manufacturing plants. In addition, Serta is distributed internationally in 60 other countries.
February 27,
2007 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on February 2007
The Western Home Furnishings Association (WHFA) 2007 Conference & Tradeshow will be held May 6-8 in Palm Springs, Calif., at the Hyatt Grand Champions Resort.
Travel is offered through group rates at the Hyatt Grand Champions Resort, a 480-guestroom, golf-resort property located near three major airports, including Los Angeles International Airport, Ontario Airport and Palm Springs Airport. All airports are less than three hours from the Hyatt Grand Champions Resort.
Attendees can take advantage of conference discounts offered through United Airlines on travel booked 30 days in advance. In addition, Avis car rental has partnered with WHFA to bring conference attendees a preferred rate. Discounted shuttle and group shuttle taxi rates are available as well.
For Southern California retailers, WHFA is offering “Daily Drive-in Specials,” valid exclusively May 7-8. Special rates are available on single-day education to encourage participation by local retailers.
Early Bird discounts, as well as group registration rates, are available prior to April 2. All planned group meals, educational functions, tradeshow and a DVD of all educational events, sponsored by CDS Solutions Group are included. Registration does not include golf tournament or activities.
For more information and to take advantage of any of these discounted offers, visit whfa.org. Please contact Cindi Williams at (800) 422-3778 for additional details.
February 27,
2007 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedroom on February 2007
The U.S. Department of Commerce announced today that it has initiated the second administrative review of antidumping duties on wood bedroom furniture from China.
The review will examine goods imported for the entire year 2006. According to a Federal Register notice, DOC plans to announce its findings by Jan. 31, 2008.
More details on the review will be published in a separate initiation notice.
February 26,
2007 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedding on February 2007
Hollandia International, which manufacturers luxury adjustable beds costing up to $50,000, has opened its first retail store in the United States at Pennsylvania’s King of Prussia Mall.
As part of the store’s grand opening on March 3, Hollandia will give away a heart-shaped adjustable bed with built-in massage and other features that push its price to $20,000. According to the announcement, the company’s adjustable beds use latex and exotic materials that include a cover of soft Aloe Vera fibers.
The 1,200-square-foot store is one of 50 locations Israel’s Hollandia operates worldwide. The company also operates a location in a Philadelphia design center and plans to open additional stores in the Northeast. In announcing the King of Prussia store, Hollandia Chief Operating Officer David Ashe said, “Now discriminating shoppers from across the country can experience for themselves the relaxation, rejuvenation and near-weightless sleep of the Hollandia adjustable bed system. After just a few minutes on our Gravity Zero mattress, they’ll never want to sleep on a flat inner-spring mattress again.”