Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
November 11,
2012 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on November 12, 2012
Vaughan-Bassett Furniture President and CEO Wyatt Bassett was elected 2013 chairman of the American Home Furnishings Alliance during its 2012 annual meeting.
George Revington, CEO of Home Meridian International, has moved to first vice chairman; and Kevin Sauder, president and CEO of Sauder Woodworking, was elected second vice chairman.
Ralph Scozzafava, chairman and CEO of Furniture Brands International, moves to immediate past-chairman of the Board of Directors. All of the new officers will assume their posts on Jan. 1.
Executives newly elected to three-year terms on the Board of Directors include: Roger Bland, Southern Motion; Andy Bray, Vanguard Furniture; Gat Caperton, Gat Creek; Doug Collier, La-Z-Boy Inc.; Jeff Cook, A.R.T. Furniture; Allan Palecek, Palecek; Glenn Prillaman, Stanley Furniture; Henry Vanderminden IV, Telescope Casual; and Todd Wanek, Ashley Furniture.
The Annual Meeting took place Thursday-Saturday at The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove in Miami.
November 11,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedroom on November 12, 2012
Adjustable bed manufacturer Reverie has launched a new Web site, reverie.com, to help educate consumers and retailers on the benefits of adjustable bases.
The new site is designed around Reveries tagline, Sleep Well Tonight. Live Better Tomorrow.; and features content about the benefits of healthy, restorative sleep. Most important, the site refers consumers to Reverie dealers in their area who can further assist them in the adjustable bed sales process.
Soothing blue and gray graphic elements are prominent throughout the site and invigorating lifestyle images resonate with users at every stage of their buying experience. Easy to navigate, it features a Dealer Locater function to help connect retailers and customers, an informative Products section and a Learning Center complete with sleeping tips/product comparisons. There also is a Sleep Zodiac feature that determines a persons sleep personality and suggests products based on individual sleeping habits. An educational Dealer Portal with retailer news and announcements will be introduced later this year.
There is a resurgence in consumer interest in adjustable bases and this new website is a key tool to help people chose the right base for their lifestyle," said Martin Rawls-Meehan, president and CEO of Reverie, Silver Creek, N.Y. "The activity in the category is being fueled by consumers increasingly using their beds for more than just relaxation, but also for work, viewing entertainment and even eating. We believe that educating consumers is the first part of the sales process and guiding them to a store where they can rest test products is the second. Our revamped Web site is just one of the steps we are taking to help our retail partners and strengthen our presence within the specialty sleep space. It also reiterates our message that luxury can be practical and certainly attainable.
Reverie is a leading manufacturer of innovative adjustable beds, mattresses and pillows to the trade and directly to consumers. The company operates facilities in New York, Michigan and Massachusetts, where production, distribution, and research and development take place. Reverie manufactures its products in the United States.
November 11,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on November 12, 2012
Rick Evans has joined furniture vendor Home Meridian International as president of Samuel Lawrence Hospitality.
Evans has served as vice president sales and marketing for American of Martinsville and Fleetwood Furniture; as well as positions with Sealy Bedding and, most recently, Walters Wicker. Quinn Decker, former president of SLF has resigned from the company.
Rick brings a successful history of sales and leadership within the hospitality industry, said Home Meridian CEO George Revington. Our hospitality business is successful and has grown through the years. This market segment has tremendous opportunity for additional expansion.
Home Meridian International established its hospitality and healthcare division in 2007. Samuel Lawrence Hospitality provides high quality custom and in-line products to the hospitality and senior living industries. SLH services industry brands including Hilton, Marriott, Starwood, Intercontinental and Best Western. In addition, SLH recent projects include Sofitel Hotel (San Francisco), Diamond Resorts (Ka Anapali, Hawaii), Palmer House (Chicago), and Floridian Palace Hotel (Tampa).
HMI is the parent company of Samuel Lawrence Hospitality, Pulaski Furniture, Samuel Lawrence Furniture, Prime Resources International, Creations Baby, Sourcing Solutions Group and Right2Home.
Headquartered in High Point, HMI has distribution centers on both coasts, an operating office in Ho Chi Minh City, China and sourcing offices in North and South China, as well as Malaysia.
November 11,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Special Events on November 12, 2012
Paul B. Toms Jr., chairman and CEO of Hooker Furniture, has received the 2012 Distinguished Service Award from the American Home Furnishings Alliance.
The award was presented Friday during the organizations 2012 Annual Meeting at The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, Miami, Fla.
Toms, grandson of Hooker Furniture founder Clyde Hooker Sr., pursued a career in business and finance before stepping in as the third generation to lead the venerable Martinsville, Va.-based furniture manufacturing company begun in 1924. Toms joined the company in 1987 as vice president of sales, then added marketing to his responsibilities in 1993. In 2000, Toms was named to his current post when Clyde Hooker Jr. officially passed the torch of leadership to him. Under his guidance, Hooker Furniture has remained true to serving dealers large and small with a growing spectrum of quality products in its core case goods line, as well as in its acquisitions of Bradington-Young, Sam Moore and Opus Designs.
A mans life is a mosaic of many endeavors and opportunities--family, church, country, community, industry and service to others, Vaughan-Bassett Furniture Chairman John D. Bassett III stated in presenting the award. While some excel in just a few of these areas, few excel in all of them. The exception is honored here.
The award recognizes Toms for the successful leadership of his company, valuable contributions to improving the quality of life and education in his hometown region, and making a significant impact in the home furnishings industry. He served as chairman of AHFA in 2007 and was chairman of the High Point Market Authority from 2003 to 2006. He has also previously served on the Board of Trustees for High Point University and as a director for the Harvest Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to addressing challenges in health, education and community vitality in Martinsville and Henry County, Va.
Perhaps what sets this man significantly apart is his unwavering fortitude as a leader--of his company, his industry association and its multiple pursuits. He has stepped up when called upon to take charge during challenging circumstances and changing times, Bassett said, noting that Toms keeps a No surprises sign on his desk that originally sat on his uncle Clyde Hooker Jr.s desk for decades prior to his retirement.
AHFAs Distinguished Service Award has been presented annually for the past 46 years. Recipients are noted for their contributions to the industry, to the AHFA and to their local communities.
November 9,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Aggregated Content in Furniture Retailing on November 10, 2012
from http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/homegarden/178145041.html
London home furnishings store Andrew Martin has opened shop in Edina, Minn., to bring a bit of British panache to the retail scene there.
Read Full Article...