April 29,
2013 by in UnCategorized 
By Aggregated Content in Business Strategy on April 30, 2013
from http://designwire.interiordesign.net/events/23905/principals-roundtable-is-hospitality-the-future-of-design
his is the first in a series of articles that will cover the main issues discussed at the recent principals roundtable held by IIDA and Interior Design at the magazine's One Night Only event in Washington, D.C.
Attendees of Interior Design's recent principals roundtable in Washington, D.C., heralded the growth of the hospitality market and touted its ethos of comfort, luxury, versatility, and fluidity as a model for myriad types of other projects. With the market segment's recent resurgence following a hard fall during the recession comes an onslaught of trends that are quickly disseminating into other market segments-office, healthcare and even multifamily residences.
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April 29,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Aggregated Content in on April 30, 2013
from http://www.wcax.com/story/22125245/fire-at-ethan-allen-furniture-plant
Fire crews battled a blaze at one of the largest employers in the Northeast Kingdom.
The fire at the Ethan Allen furniture plant in Orleans erupted inside two silos.
"When we first arrived on scene we had a working fire -- in the auger that goes from the boiler room to the dust silos," said Asst. Chief Scott Burdick, Orleans Fire Dept.
An issue with the motor that brings saw dust from the boiler room at the Ethan Allen furniture factory to the silos sparked a flame that within minutes spread to a massive fire that's required hours of work to contain.
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April 29,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Aggregated Content in Community/Charitable Support on April 30, 2013
from http://www.digtriad.com/news/local/article/282806/57/Furniture-Workers-Make-Pillows-For-Cancer-Patients
Comfort and chemotherapy are two words you wouldn't think go together. But thanks to some Baker Furniture employees who have a heart for one of their own co-workers with breast cancer it suddenly makes sense.
Pamela Mainer's co-workers knew the discomfort she was experiencing while undergoing cancer treatment. They also knew they couldn't just sit back and watch, so they decided to do something to help.
The group came up with an idea for a specially designed pillow for Mainer to use during her treatments. Often times the treatments are hours long leading to discomfort and pain for patients.
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April 29,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on April 30, 2013
Bedding protection, topper and pillow vendor PureCare by Fabrictech has named James Robb vice president and general manager.
Robb brings consumer goods management and retail operations experience to the PureCare by Fabrictech organization. Starting in the late 1970s he held management positions with retailers such as Jordan Marsh Department Stores and Lechmere of Boston, Mass. Robb also worked with Dicks Sporting Goods, creating and then managing what became the official LPGA catalog for female golfers including stores, a catalog, a Web site and a 24-hour call center.
Robb will focus on key infrastructure needs and upgrading systems to better serve the fast-growing customer base as Fairfield, N.J.-based PureCare by Fabrictech continues to expand. Robb reports to Jeff Bergman, president and COO; and Arnold Hershbain, chairman and CEO.
"James brings years of best practices in operational management and entrepreneurial experience that will positively affect the entire organization," said Bergman. "He is here to ensure that PureCare by Fabrictech's operational expertise keeps pace with our explosive growth, and that we continue to provide our customers with the kind of service they expect from an industry leader. James' passion and hands-on approach will be an enormous asset to our growing all-star team."
April 29,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Green on April 30, 2013
Bedding vendor Boyd Specialty Sleep will achieve self-sufficiency for its electrical power needs at its St. Louis and Fontana, Calif., by July 1.
After more than two years of planning and in keeping with its strategic environmental focus, the companys $2.75 million investment in solar paneled roof systems for both its 320,000-square-foot California factory and its 70,000-square-foot Missouri facility will save Boyd more than $100,000 in its own usage the first year and will enable Boyd to sell back excess electrical power to major energy providers.
The investment translates to the electrical supply of about 250 homes each year. Meanwhile, Boyds savings are expected to increase annually as energy costs increase.
For years our mission as a business has been to focus on the health and safety of consumers and on the environmental impact of our products and processes, said president Denny Boyd. We see ourselves as an integral part of the communities in which we operate. As such, its our responsibility to be energy-conscious and to give back to those communities, while at the same time doing what makes sense for our business.
Boyd, who said that federal energy credits also played a role in his decision to become self-sufficient, contracted with SunEdison to build, operate and maintain the systems on the companys Fontana roof space.
Under the Fontana contract, 35 percent of the roof will host Boyds solar panels; the balance of roof space will be leased to SunEdison, which will install its own panels.
Once the system is activated, SunEdison will make operating rent payments to Boyd for hosting the solar PV (photovoltaic) structures as part of Southern California Edisons program enabling businesses to become electrical power suppliers.
With more than 800 solar projects in operation, SunEdison has worked with big-box retailers, production plants, distribution centers and corporate facilities across the country.
SunEdison customers have included AT&T, Anheuser-Busch, Staples, Whole Foods, Macys, Wal-Mart and Kohls.
For its St. Louis facility, Boyd has purchased the entire solar panel system, which will be installed by June of this year.
These moves reflect my philosophy that in every industry, companies need to find ways to maximize efficiency by doing more with less, Boyd said. I believe were doing the right thing at each of our locations.
As the former president of the Specialty Sleep Association, Boyd was a driving force behind the development of the organizations Environmental and Safety Program and became the first U.S. bedding producer in 2010 to earn Level 1 product compliance within the program.
Today, the company uses only foam manufactured in pressurized chambers to eliminate release of harmful VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) into the environment. Rayon fabrics made from sustainable bamboo fiber are also pervasive across Boyds product lines.