Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
September 7,
2006 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Upholstery on September 2006
Jim Becker has been named vice president of sales for Weiman Furniture Co., the manufacturer of Weiman/Preview upholstery.
Prior to joining Weiman, Becker was executive vice president of sales and marketing for accessories supplier John-Richard.
“Jim is an experienced marketer and leader who will help propel Weiman to the next level as a quality producer of stylish contemporary furniture,” said Carl Philips, president of Weiman and its parent company, Interlude Home. “As we expand our product line into occasional furniture, accessories and area rugs, Jim will help our team design, merchandise, market and sell these exciting products.”
Becker brings broad home furnishings experience to Weiman Furniture, based on his retail merchandising and buying background at a number of department stores including Ivey’s and Filene’s, as well as his tenure at The Bradburn Gallery in Atlanta, where he was a founding partner.
September 7,
2006 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Case Goods on September 2006
Steve Pilgrim has resigned as president of Bauhaus Furniture and taken a post as vice president of case goods sales for Bernhardt Furniture.
Pilgrim had reported to Rodney England, president of non-branded upholstery. England will handle Pilgrim’s responsibilities until a successor is named.
“We wish Steve success as he joins Bernhardt and at the same time completes his desire to relocate his family to North Carolina, which was of paramount importance to him,” said Kurt Darrow, La-Z-Boy president and chief executive officer.
Pilgrim started his career with La-Z-Boy at Sam Moore prior to being name Bauhaus president.
September 6,
2006 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Case Goods on September 2006
Danbury, Conn.-based Ethan Allen Interiors said yesterday it will shutter production at two factories—a case goods plant in Spruce Pine, N.C. And an upholstery facility in Atoka, Okla.
The factory in Oklahoma will be converted to a regional distribution center. About 465 people will lose their jobs.
In connection with this initiative, production will be allocating among its remaining domestic manufacturing locations and selected offshore vendors.
The 280,000-square-foot North Carolina factory was built by Ethan Allen in 1989. The Oklahoma facility, built in 1973, uses about 159,000 square feet for upholstery production and the remaining 97,000 square feet for distribution.
Ethan Allen has nine remaining plant locations, including four case goods plants, four upholstery plants, and one accessory plant. These facilities total nearly three million square feet and employ about 2,300.
“We sincerely regret the impact that this decision will have on many of our employees,” said Farooq Kathwari, chairman and chief executive officer. “We believe, however, that this action will strengthen our logistical capabilities and improve the company’s remaining U.S. manufacturing operations.”
Ethan Allen will record a pre-tax restructuring and impairment charge of approximately $13.5 million to $14.5 million, the majority of which will be non-cash in nature. Most of the earnings impact is expected to occur in the company’s first fiscal quarter ended Sept. 30.
Kathwari will be presenting today at the Goldman Sachs Global Retail conference at 11:55 a.m. Eastern time. The presentation includes a question and answer session.
Listen in via Web cast at ethanallen.com/investors.
September 6,
2006 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Leather Upholstery on September 2006
Natuzzi reported net revenues for the second quarter ended June 30 increased 18.1 percent to $246 million, compared to $208.5 million during the same period last year.
For the first half of the year, the company’s net sales were up 15.6 percent to $474.4 million. The company said the double-digit growth in the first six months were attributable to a soft comparison base of last year and a higher order backlog in 2005.
During the second quarter of 2006, Natuzzi reported net income of $12.5 million, versus a net loss of $10.6 million, in second quarter of 2005. For the first half of the year, the company posted net income of $20.6 million, compared to a loss of $15.3 million during the same period last year.
September 6,
2006 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on September 2006
The High Point Market Authority is creating a pocket-sized directory geared toward independent retailers and first-time attendees for distribution at next month’s market.
The goal is to assist this group in navigating the High Point Market.
The guide will list company name, showroom location and product category and will use a number of simple, color-coded designations that listed exhibitors can select. The designations will indicate whether an exhibitor is small-retailer friendly, designer friendly, whether the company is a container-only supplier, has a U.S. warehouse and whether there are minimum-order requirements.
“We are committed to continuously improving the market experience for all of our constituents and with 12 million square feet of showroom space, we know that the sheer size of market can be daunting for many attendees,” said Brian Casey, president of the High Point Market Authority. “Our goal for this new directory is to help first-time visitors, small independents and interior designers quickly identify the showrooms where they will be most welcome. We also believe it will enable the exhibitors who seek to do business with these buyers to more easily reach out to them. This new Market Directory—an insider’s guide to High Point Market if you will—is being created to help all of our stakeholders make the most efficient use of their time here.”
According to Casey, the new directory will include no advertising and will be small and light-weight enough to carry in a breast-pocket, purse or briefcase. Exhibitors will be listed both alphabetically and by product category.
“The operating words here are ‘user-friendly,’ ” Casey says. “For that reason, it’s imperative that we include all exhibitors in this valuable resource. Since market is right around the bend, we are urging all companies to answer the call and respond quickly to our requests for information. There is no charge for participating and we know it will benefit each company to do so.”