Daily News Archive
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July 20,
2006 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Upholstery on July 2006
Contemporary upholstery supplier Weiman Furniture Co. has named Grant Campbell vice president of operations. Formerly the plant manager for Lazar Inds., he will be based at Weiman/Preview headquarters in Christiansburg, Va.
“Grant’s ‘customer centric’ focus to the manufacturing and supply side of the business will be right in step with Weiman’s record of quality and fast turnaround of our custom upholstery,” said Carl Philips, president of Interlude Home, which purchased Weiman in April.
In addition, Weiman has named six new territorial sales representatives.
David Koff, who has decades in selling contemporary furniture, will cover Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana.
Stephen Frank has been assigned the Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma region, and he brings 30 years of experience in contemporary furnishings and upholstery.
Jodie Veeder will add Weiman/Preview upholstery to her sales responsibilities with Interlude Home in Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Montana and Idaho.
Steven Gordon and Diane Reuschel are adding Weiman to their group of contemporary resources in the state of Florida.
Earnie Taylor will add sales coverage of Tennessee, West Virginia and Western Pennsylvania to his marketing duties at Weiman.
July 19,
2006 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Leather Upholstery on July 2006
Custom leather upholstery supplier American Leather has named Rico Berrios national sales manager. Berrios will be responsible for leading the company’s sales efforts, and managing the company’s national sales force.
He reports to American Leather President Bruce Birnbach. A five-year veteran of the company, Berrios has represented the line in North and South Carolina, and most recently in Florida and the surrounding southeastern states, where he was named regional sales manager last year.
In his new position, Berrios will relocate back to North Carolina to spearhead the national sales efforts, and will also continue to build American Leather’s representation throughout the country.
“In just a few short years, Rico had impressively doubled the sales volume in North Carolina, and was then sent to Florida to launch the American Leather program in the Southeast, where he has since doubled the territory,” said Bob Duncan, chief executive officer. “As regional sales manager, Rico also earned the designation of Salesman of the Year in 2005, and has been instrumental in broadening the scope of our sales program nationwide. He will be an even more valuable asset to the company in his new role.”
Birnbach said Berrios will also work to more cohesively align the national sales efforts with the company’s branding and marketing strategies.
“With Rico’s industry background and long history with the company, he will be essential in broadening the customer service and business development component of our sales efforts,” Birnbach said. “In addition, his role will allow him to incorporate sales strategies that closely support our growing national marketing program.”
July 19,
2006 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Case Goods on July 2006
Severable venerable furniture brands will either debut or expand at the San Francisco Mart for the venue’s Summer Home Furnishings Show, scheduled for August 3-6.
Pennsylvania House, Shermag and Hooker will take be represented in Showroom 500, a multi-supplier venue managed by Ted Pacifico and Roberta Scott.
Pennsylvania House will take 2,631 square feet in space 508, with 30 percent of the area dedicated to the New Standards Collection licensed with musician Steve Tyrell.
Shermag will show contemporary goods in 2,600-plus square feet in space 536. Contemporary furnishings will have a greater presence at the SF Mart with the addition of Shermag. Shermag will occupy more than 2,600 square feet in space 536.
Showroom 500 will round out the sleek, contemporary upholstery selection with pieces from Jaymar Leather, as well as Shermag bedroom and dining collections.
Hooker Furniture, which has been carried by Showroom 500 since 1996, will now occupy almost 5,000 square feet in space 515. Hooker’s presentation offers case goods, occasional and upholstered furniture including the bedroom, dining room, family room, home office and home theater. Hooker’s furnishings will be accented with product from Allen McDaniel and Accents Beyond, both of which are new lines.
“The depth of these new lines will enable buyers to see more products that are particularly well-suited to West Coast lifestyles,” said Roseann Carini, general manager of the San Francisco Mart. “It also gives the San Francisco Mart a heightened presence of well-known brands that appeal to retail buyers and design professionals alike.”
Showroom 500 plans grand opening receptions in all three showrooms, August 4, 2-5 p.m., where in addition to wine and cheese, buyers can register for getaways that include a $250 gift certificate for San Francisco’s Slanted Door restaurant.
Showroom 500 also will display product from Vermont Tubbs, American Leather, Anderson & Daishi, Artistica Metal, Currey & Co., Evans Design Group, Frederick Cooper/Tyndale, Italmond, Left Bank Art, Platt Collections, RC Furniture, SEE Imports and Sola Collection.
July 19,
2006 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on July 2006
David Stewart has been appointed the new national sales manager of German leather upholstery manufacturer W Schillig, after Steve Bailey’s contract ended on July 19. Bailey and Schillig parted amicably.
Stewart started at W Schillig seven years ago working in the company’s High Point warehouse, unloading cases and handling customer service. Just previously Stewart had been product manager.
“My main job–as any company’s primary plan should be–is to expand sales,” said Stewart, while on the road from San Francisco Thursday morning. “The other is to create a stronger brand recognition in the U.S., and to expand our retail customer base.”
With Stewart at the sales helm, Schillig plans to go after some heavy hitters at retail such as Marshall Fields, Maurice Vallency, and Robb & Stucky.
Schillig also will pursue more top 50 accounts. “Previously we were a niche product, we have expanded our product base to make it more mass-market friendly,” said Stewart.
July 18,
2006 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Advertising on July 2006
Atlanta-based Havertys will spend almost half its $60 million-plus 2006 advertising budget on promoting its own furniture brand, the company told the Atlanta Business Chronicle.
Clarence Smith, Havertys president and chief executive officer, said the store brand, called Havertys Collection, currently represents 60 percent to 65 percent of its furniture sales, excluding bedding. That’s projected to hit 80 percent by the end of the year.
Havertys, with 118 stores in 17 states in the South and Midwest, reported $832.4 million in revenue in 2005.
Havertys numerous advertising firms before choosing Fitzgerald+CO, also in Atlanta, to work on the retailer’s new advertising campaign to support its private label. The first of those television and print ads should appear in the fall.