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October 14,
2012 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Green on October 15, 2012
Hand-crafted, solid wood furniture manufacturer Gat Creek has won the 2012 Sage Award for environmental excellence.
The Sage Awards were launched in 2008 by the American Home Furnishings Alliance to seek out and spotlight environmental innovators from whom others in the home furnishings and bedding industries can learn. The competition is open to retail, manufacturing and supplier companies in both the furniture and bedding industries.
Gat Creek, Berkeley Springs, W.Va., was singled out for the 2012 honor for approaching furniture manufacturing in a holistic manner taking pride not only in what's made, but how it's made. The company actively supports the responsible management of forests and sources all of its raw materials and production locally.
In 2008, Gat Creek received Chain of Custody Certification from, the Forest Stewardship Council, and it is continually working to certify additional products. The company closely monitors energy consumption and is continually upgrading lighting, motors and air compressors to the most efficient equipment available. In 2009, the company converted all of its heat to a renewable biomass boiler system using off-cut lumber and sawdust as its only fuel.
Gat Creek formally tracks 100 percent of its waste streams, and it was recognized as a Top Environmental Steward by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection for reductions in hazardous wastes. The company also developed an innovative storm water management system that has proven so effective it is exempt from annual state monitoring.
As the largest private employer in its county, Gat Creek provides a safe, environmentally sound workplace for its employees. The company also is a leader within its community, contributing generously to educational and youth activities, community organizations and charities.
President Gat Caperton actively promotes sustainable business practices within the home furnishings industry. He served as a founding member of the Sustainable Furnishings Council and is one of only seven manufacturers to have earned that organizations Silver Exemplary status.
From product design through all aspects of production, Gat Creek is an exemplary example of a sustainably run organization, said AHFAs Bill Perdue in presenting the award.
One Sage Award honorable mention was also awarded to Ethan Allen Inc. Ethan Allen formalized its environmental management system in 1999, establishing goals for energy reduction, water conservation, reduced waste and increased recycling. The system has been implemented in all five of its domestic manufacturing facilities, where 70 percent of the companys products are produced. This program requires ongoing training, goal-setting and auditing, and it keeps each facility as well as the corporation as a whole on a path of continual improvement.
Beyond its environmental management system, Ethan Allen is an industry leader in working with suppliers to develop water-based finishes and reduce chemicals in packaging and foam. It insists that its lumber suppliers practice scientifically sound forest management and, in all aspects of the enterprise, Ethan Allen strives to demonstrate the highest level of environmental stewardship.
The Sage Award winner receives a custom-designed plaque and a complimentary registration to the 2013 Furniture Industry Sustainability Summit in Charlotte, N.C. Gat Creek and Ethan Allen also will be honored during an awards reception on Feb. 20, the opening day of the Summit.
The Sage Award winner was selected by a diverse panel of six judges representing furniture and bedding industry leaders, environmental journalists, sustainability experts and the furniture industry business press. They included sustainability expert Heather Gadonniex, Environmental Product Declaration program manager for Underwriters Laboratories; Robin Wilson, a nationally recognized, eco-friendly interior designer who headed up the renovation of Bobby Kennedys 1920s Westchester County, N.Y., home to showcase the latest in green technologies and healthy home initiatives; Ryan Trainer, president of the International Sleep Products Association; Heath Combs, a staff writer for Furniture Today, who covers environmental news and authors F/Ts Green Thoughts blog; Trish Holder, the creator of GreenspirationHome.com, a homeowner-to-homeowner resource for residential green building and green living; and Richard Prisco, an industrial and furniture design professor in Appalachian State Universitys Technology and Environmental Design.
No one from AHFA participates in the Sage Award judging. Results were tabulated by Ken Smith, managing partner of Smith Leonard, a High Point-based accounting firm. The entries were evaluated based on each companys sustainability efforts, social or community involvement and business success.
October 14,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on October 15, 2012
Ken Salm has been named vice president of business operations, contract division for Furniture Brands International (NYSE: FBN).
In the newly created position, Salm is responsible for leading the contract division's business operations and sales staff. Salm reports to Mark Wiltshire, president of the special markets division of Furniture Brands.
Salm most recently co-owned a company that specialized in contract furniture. Prior to this, he held several positions of increasing responsibility in sales and business management with companies in the furniture industry, including La-Z-Boy, Brown Jordan, Douglas Furniture and Sealy.
October 14,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Business Strategy on October 15, 2012
Leather upholstery supplier Simon Li Furniture has added a West Coast warehouse facility to service its various channels of distribution for the western U.S.
FTW Inc., a warehouse and distribution company located in Ontario Calif., is the company's partner.
"The facility for FTW is a state-of-the-art distribution center that will enable us to service our growing sales for the western states which is an integral part of our growth strategy for the U.S. market," said Dwight Hardison, vice president of marketing for Simon Li.
Simon Li opened an east coast warehouse in January in Lexington, N.C. With these two locations they will be able to ship products to the various markets across the U.S. and Canada.
Simon Li Furniture is a division of Trayton Furniture, a worldwide resource of leather stationary, motion and accent upholstery.
October 14,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Display on October 15, 2012
The High Point Market Authority honored three exhibitors this morning as the High Markets most creative and innovative displays.
At the High Point Market Press Breakfast, the Market Authority presented Bernhardt with the Best of Market Award in the High Point Market Showroom Design Competition. The award singles out the best display for Fall 2012 as determined by a jury of respected industry editors. The panel of judges for the annual event included Newell Turner, editorial director of Hearst Publications; Mark McMenamin, senior editor at Interior Design; and Tobi Fairley of Tobi Fairley Design. Runners up for the Best of Market award this season were Miles Talbott and Standard Furniture.
The Fashion Focus Award, a new award this year, went to rug vendor Surya for its very fashionable display featuring a couture dress in Suryas fabrics. Runner up for this award was Elaine Smith.
For the Peoples Choice Award, all market-goers were invited to vote for their favorite showroom design via Twitter or text messaging. Judging criteria is left to the discretion of individual Market attendees. This years Peoples Choice Award winner, for the fourth year in a row, was Four Hands. Runners up in the Peoples Choice competition included Universal Furniture and Wesley Hall.
Winning entrants in each category were presented with a crystal trophy cup for display in their showrooms.
October 14,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Accessories on October 15, 2012
Home furnishings vendor Studio A has partnered with award-winning interior designer Roger Thomas for Roger Thomas Collection accessories.
A leader in the hospitality and residential design industry and executive vice-president of Wynn Design and Development, Thomas is known for his resort, hotel, casino and restaurant interiors, most notably the Bellagio in Las Vegas, Wynn Las Vegas and Encore at Wynn Las Vegas. His acclaimed repertoire of interiors is fanciful and theatrical, yet stylish and seductive.
Studio A is an exciting partnership, allowing me to express my love for innovative surfaces, classic silhouettes, and adventurous scale, said Mr. Thomas in making the announcement. Their sensitive marriage of organic and synthetic, casual with formality, texture next to polish always results in a surprising originality and delightful elegance."
President and CEO David Gebhart said: Its a rare opportunity to partner with a talent like Roger. His masterful design aesthetic and breadth of knowledge, in both design and world-wide development, makes him a valued asset to the growth of Studio A. Roger will enhance the richness and character of the Studio A product line in a way which only Roger Thomas can do."
The licensing partnership with Studio A, Dallas, will expand the current offerings of The Roger Thomas Collection, which currently includes signature designs of mirrors, furniture, carpet, green sustainable lighting, and outdoor furnishings. Rolling introductions of The Roger Thomas Collection for Studio A are planned to begin in mid-2013.
Mr. Thomas has been published in leading journals, including Architectural Digest, Elle Décor, Interiors and Hospitality Design. He is a member of Architectural Digests AD100. Highlights of his many award distinctions include election into the Hospitality Design Platinum Circle, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Network of Executive Women in Hospitality, Designer of the Year from the International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show, the 2009 Design Icon distinction from the World Market Center in Las Vegas and the Jay Sarno Lifetime Achievement Award.