Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
January 6,
2013 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Acquisition on January 7, 2013
Furniture and bedding components vendor Hickory Springs has acquired commercial transit and school bus-seating manufacturer C.E. White.
As a result of the acquisition, Hickory Springs will expand its footprint in the transportation seating market and provide customers with a complete seating solution.
Welcoming The C.E. White Co. to the Hickory Springs organization enhances opportunities for both companies as it leverages the core capabilities of each, said Hickory Springs President and CEO David Colburn. This acquisition makes Hickory Springs a more well-rounded player in the industry, able to capitalize on its unique competitive advantage as a producer of multiple components that can now be combined to create an integrated seating solution, and bringing new opportunities to C.E. White in the process.
The integration of both companies will take place over the next 90 days; and Hickory Springs said C.E. White customers will continue to receive the same high-quality service they have come to expect from the New Washington, Ohio-based company.
I cannot begin to express my excitement about this opportunity, which brings together the capabilities and resources of two very well-established and long-term companies to the benefit of both, said Tony Everett, president and CEO, The C.E. White Co. I liken it to a three-legged stool. Hickory Springs offers two legs of the stool, or in this case the seat--the metal frame and the foam--and C.E. White brings the third leg--cut and sewn covers and experience as a seat manufacturer--to create a solid company with an integrated solution for the transportation seating market. As a result, we can anticipate increased business opportunities and a positive impact on the communities in which C. E. White operates.
The same people will take care of our customers, and there will be no changes in company philosophy, Everett added. In fact, Hickorys philosophy and C.E. Whites are very similar. They are both family-based companies, customer-driven and customer-focused, and Im confident a stronger company will emerge from this transaction.
The C.E. White Co. will continue to be headquartered in New Washington, Ohio. Everett will report directly to Lee Lunsford, executive vice president and chief operations officer at Hickory Springs, to ensure a smooth and successful merger.
January 6,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on January 7, 2013
Two-store retailer Maynard's Home Furnishings has joined the Furniture First buying group.
Based in New Belton, S.C., the family-owned retailer has a 65-year history in its market.
The addition of Maynard's to the Furniture First roster takes the organization's membership to 195 stockholders with 416 furniture stores in 47 states.
"Furniture First offers a competitive advantage to independents in a difficult economy," said Bill Hartman, president of the buying group. "Our programs ad to their bottom line with rebates, discounts and operational efficiencies. But the other benefits we offer, like our exclusive merchandise and private labels, also help them improve their margins and stand out from the competition in their local markets."
January 6,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on January 7, 2013
Pete Barron has been named national sales manager for Orient Express Furniture.
Prior to taking his new position, Barron was an independent sales representative for Orient Express in Colorado. During his 16 year career in the furniture industry, Barron has represented importers and domestic manufacturers throughout the Rocky Mountain region. He also has seven years of retail management and sales experience.
Barron will oversee all sales personnel and will assume a key role in sales strategy and development. He reports to Anders Johnson, president of Star International Furniture, parent company of Orient Express, as well as Anna Johnson, vice president of design and merchandising.
"Orient Express is committed to developing and bringing to market fresh, unique and fashion-forward furniture for our dealers," Johnson said. "Pete will be an integral element to define market opportunities while continuing to expand the company's distribution strategies with our team of sales representatives."
January 3,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in licensing on January 4, 2013
The HGTV Home Furniture Collection continues to reach more retail showrooms.
The collection made its retail debut Sept. 15 in Leesburg, Va., at the new Wolf Furniture store. Since then it has debuted at retailers in markets across North America that include include: American Furniture (Iowa and Wisconsin), Stacy Furniture (Texas), Johnny Janosik (Delaware), Darvin Furniture (Illinois), Decorium (Ontario), Stoney Creek Furniture (Ontario), Kittles Furniture (Indiana and Ohio), Goods Home Furnishings (North Carolina) and Sprintz Furniture (Tennessee).
Other leading retail chains scheduled to unveil the line in the coming weeks include: Jordans (British Columbia), Baers Furniture (Florida) and Galleries Acadiana (Louisiana).
From the beginning, our goal has been to bring the voice and vision of HGTV to eager consumers through long-term partnerships with trusted and established retailers, says Renee Loper, vice president of marketing for HGTV Home furniture. Our roster is filled with dealers who are able to convey the credibility, style and quality that is the foundation of the HGTV Home brand.
The successive retail launches will be supported by television and print advertising, public relations and event-planning assistance, brand development support, in-store and out-of-store merchandising and displays.
Beyond the collection debuts, several retail locations will host well-known HGTV designers for customer meet-and-greet events, as well as design presentations.
HGTV Home is about inspiring consumers with smart ideas, easy-to-incorporate know-how and imaginative designs, notes Ron Feinbaum, general manager of consumer products for HGTV. The HGTV Home Furniture Collection embodies those attributes and will excite and delight consumers looking to transform their home environments.
Designed to fit the lifestyles and life stages of home-focused consumers, the HGTV Home Furniture Collection encompasses fashionable options in upholstery, bedroom, dining room, entertainment, and accent furniture in five, distinct style stories: Classic Chic, Meadowbrook Manor, Waters Edge, Woodlands and the newest Modern Heritage collection.
In creating the collections, designers tapped into the HGTV networks extensive consumer research to learn the needs and desires of todays consumers. These insights are reflected throughout the lines in the smart functionality of many of the pieces, including concealed electrical outlets in servers, buffets and bars, and multi-purpose shoe rack shelving in chiffarobes.
January 3,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in licensing on January 4, 2013
IMAX Corp. has a new licensing agreement with designer Nancy Elaine Davis.
Her collection will be marketed under the brand name Ella Elaine, and will include accessories and wall décor designed with reclaimed and vintage materials. The new products will debut at IMAX in January.
We are excited to bring in this exclusive group of products," said Rex Yoakley, vice president of sales for IMAX. "Nancys creativity and unique point of view are a great fit for the IMAX product line. Accessory and gift buyers alike will be equally impressed with this collection.
Gathered elements from years of collecting find new meaning and purpose in Nancys distinctive style. By blending objects of old with trends for today, she pushes the boundaries of creating resourceful products for her signature brand.