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January 14,
2013 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in on January 15, 2013
Matthew Clift, executive vice president of global operations for bedding supplier Tempur-Pedic International (NYSE: TPX), is retiring.
A succession plan and search is already underway, and Clift will continue to lead the global operations team until the transition to a successor is completed.
Under Clift's leadership, the global operations team achieved significant successes through a relentless focus on customers, innovation, product development, cost and cash management, and managing growth of the company's IT and capacity infrastructure. "Matt's strategic vision, leadership, and focus on results combined with his practical hands-on approach make him an exceptional executive," Mark Sarvary, president and CEO of Tempur-Pedic. "The product development, cost improvement and supply chain enhancements he and his operations team have delivered have been key to the growth achieved by Tempur-Pedic in recent years. We are saddened to see him leave the company but we wish him and his family all the best during his retirement."
Prior to joining Tempur-Pedic International Inc. in December 2004, Clift was vice president and general manager of the consumer printer division for Lexmark International and was employed by the company for 13 years. Before joining Lexmark in 1991, Clift held several management positions in research and development and manufacturing for IBM over the course of his 10-year employment with the company.
January 14,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on January 15, 2013
Electric fireplace and furniture vendor Twin-Star International has named Raymond Tam vice president of operations.
He reports to Delray Beach, Fla.-based Twin-Star's president and CEO, Robert Cohen.
Tam most recently was the general manager of Red Chip International Ltd. During his tenure there he organized the management team, strengthened vendor relationships, improved quality and service, and reinvigorated product development as part of a development strategy. Tam also has previous experience in overseas manufacturing along with owning his own manufacturing company in Canada.
Raymonds technical knowledge, blended with his proven leadership ability and vast understanding of both Western and Eastern cultures will be an enormous asset to the Twin-Star team, Cohen said. Raymond will be based out of our China office and will have worldwide responsibility for Twin-Stars operations team that includes the companys quality, production, and logistics functions."
January 14,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on January 15, 2013
Al Matthews has joined full-line home furniture and mattress vendor Emerald Home Furnishings as vice president of sales.
In this role, Matthews will be responsible for managing Tacoma, Wash.-based Emeralds in-house and external sales representatives and furthering the companys global sales and channel development initiatives. He reports to David Beckmann, president of Emerald Home Furnishings.
Al comes to us with a wealth of experience and expertise earned during a remarkable career in the furniture industry, said Beckmann. We welcome his leadership and look forward to the meaningful impact he will have in helping to shape the future of Emerald Home Furnishings as a world class supplier.
Matthews has worked in the furniture industry for nearly 30 years and joins Emerald from his most recent role as vice president of sales for Ashley Furniture Inds., where he was responsible for key accounts, territory and sales development, and enhancing the companys dealer relationships in the central United States. Prior to Ashley, Matthews served as regional manager for Bassett Furniture Inds., regional vice president at La-Z-Boy, as well as many years on the retail side at both Norwalk and Havertys.
Matthews began his furniture career at Havertys where his roles included stints as a management trainee, sales, branch store manager, assistant general manager, merchandise buyer, and vice president. Matthews served for six years as Havertys vice president and manager in Austin, Texas, where he led the Austin store to numerous sales awards and distinctions.
Emerald Home Furnishings is a well-established company with a great culture, a unique market position, and a strong strategic vision, said Matthews. I am glad to have the opportunity to help develop Emeralds presence with existing dealers and also develop new partnerships and sales channels.
January 14,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on January 15, 2013
The Dallas Market Center recently reached 10,000 likes on its Facebook page.
To celebrate the market is offering special hotel rates, up to 50 percent off for three nights at selected Dallas hotels during the March 21-24 market for folks who like the page.
"We're thrilled to see our Facebook page reach 10,000 'Likes,'" said Cindy Morris, COO. "We believe engaging with buyers, exhibitors, reps and others on social media platforms like Facebook is key to building relationships. We look forward to the next 10,000 'Likes' and continuing the social conversation."
DMC is offering special rates up to 50 percent off based on availability at the Belmont Hotel, Hotel Indigo, and NYLO Hotel. Participants can call Market Travel at (214) 744-7444 for more information and reference "Facebook Special" until March 1 to take advantage of the deal.
To commemorate the social media milestone, more than 230 DMC employees gathered together to form a "10K" outline and took photos holding signs thanking the social media community, which were then posted to an album on the DMC Facebook page.
January 14,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Green on January 15, 2013
The California official leading revisions to that states flammability regulation and the scientist whose research prompted the urgent regulatory overhaul currently underway will participate in the 2013 American Home Furnishings Alliance Sustainability Summit.
The event is slated for Feb. 20-21 at the Marriott SouthPark in Charlotte, N.C. Registration information is available online at ahfa.us under EVENTS.
The environmental and health consequences of our industrys efforts to comply with longtime flammability regulations have been the subject of much debate in 2012. And the resolution of those issues is likely to impact all segments of our industry in 2013--suppliers, manufacturers and retailers alike, said Bill Perdue, AHFAs vice president of regulatory affairs. As a result, we have decided to devote the entire first half of our 2013 Summit to the regulatory policies, emerging science and consumer debate surrounding upholstered furniture flammability.
Featured guests for the first half of the program include Tonya Blood, chief of the California Bureau of Electronic and Appliance Repair, Home Furnishings and Thermal Insulation; and Dr. Arlene Blum, founder and executive director of the Green Science Policy Institute in Berkeley, Calif.
The Bureau of Home Furnishings and Thermal Insulation is tasked with protecting California consumers by implementing health and safety standards for bedding, furniture and thermal insulation. The bureau fast-tracked revisions to its 1975 flammability standard, TB 117, after a Chicago Tribune investigative report last summer examined the suspected eco-toxicity of flame retardant chemicals used to meet the standards strict open flame test. Blood, who was appointed to her post just last April, has overseen the revisions and will present the finalized rule at the Sustainability Summit.
Blum has been examining the toxicity of flame retardant chemicals since the 1970s when her research was instrumental in banning the use of brominated tris in childrens pajamas. Her studies figured prominently in the Tribunes investigative report, and she made headlines again in November with the release of a study examining the flame retardant chemicals found in sofas purchased over the last two decades. She has been invited to present the Summits keynote address on how business, industry, science and government can work together on a sustainable strategy for chemical policy reform.
To bring further depth to the FR chemical conversation, AHFA has assembled a stakeholder panel to be moderated by Dr. Ana Mascareñas, policy and communications coordinator with Physicians for Social Responsibility in Los Angeles. In addition to Tonya Blood and Arlene Blum, the panel will include:
¢ Robert Luedeka, executive director of the Polyurethane Foam Association.
¢ Hardy Poole, vice president of regulatory and technical affairs for the National Textile Association.
¢ Don Coleman, president of the Upholstered Furniture Action Council.
¢ Malin Näsman, product requirements and compliance specialist for IKEA North America.
To add a national perspective to the discussion, Chris Andresen from Washington D.C.-based Dutko Associates will bring attendees up to date on the Consumer Product Safety Commissions progress on a federal flammability standard, as well as efforts to reform the federal Toxic Substances Control Act. Also, Joel Tenney, director of advocacy for ICL Industrial Products, will address emerging technology within the fire-retardant chemical industry.
AHFAs Perdue will close the opening day business program with a brief review of California Proposition 65 labeling requirements for upholstered products that still contain the flame retardant TDCPP.
While the first half of the Summit will address the environmental impact of product--specifically, the environmental impact of flammability policy and regulation--the second half will be devoted to the environmental impact of manufacturing and distribution operations, with a special emphasis on energy efficiencies. Bob Leker, renewable energy program manager for the North Carolina Energy Office will present Embracing an Energy Efficient Future, and Wendy Cockerham, of Weaver Cooke Energy Solutions in Greensboro, N.C., will discuss Lighting Retrofits and Improved Energy Efficiencies.
A case study in environmental efficiencies will be presented by Paul Kaminski, director of environment, health and safety for Ethan Allen Inc. Kaminski has spearheaded modifications to AHFAs EFEC environmental management program in order to implement it across Ethan Allens company-owned store and distribution center network. As a result of Kaminskis efforts--and the cost-saving efficiencies experienced at the companys retail locations--AHFA is now preparing a modified EFEC program designed for implementation at retail stores.
Shifting the attention to responsible recycling initiatives, AHFA has invited Ryan Trainer, executive director of the International Sleep Products Association, to share his organizations battle against extended producer responsibility laws, which require manufacturers to finance the costs of recycling or safely disposing of their products. Several initiatives have targeted bedding, and upholstered furniture could easily be added to these state-by-state efforts to reduce landfill content. ISPA supports a more efficient, cost-effective national system with uniform rules from coast to coast.
Finally, AHFA will close the 2013 Summit with a panel discussion including representatives from several organizations promoting consumer information labeling within the home furnishings industry. What Consumers Really Want to Know: The Case for Transparency, will cover foam, fabric, bedding and furniture labels designed to provide health and environmental information to consumers in an easy-to-understand format.
Until January 31, registration for the 2013 Summit is $299 for AHFA members and $399 for non-members. After January 31, member registration increases to $350, and non-member registration will be $500.
The Summit registration covers a light breakfast both mornings, plus lunch both days. In addition, all Summit attendees are invited to attend an awards reception February 20, during which the 2012 Sage Award Winner for environmental excellence, Gat Creek Furniture, will be honored.
A limited number of rooms are available at the Marriott SouthPark at the discounted group rate of $150 until Jan. 29. Attendees are urged to contact the hotel promptly at 800/228-9290 or 704-364-8220 for reservations, requesting the AHFA group rate.