Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
July 1,
2012 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Las Vegas on July 2, 2012
Home furnishings marketing services vendor Wright Global Graphic Solutions now has a second venue at Las Vegas Furniture Market.
Thomasville, N.C.-based Wright will showcase its range of product offerings in the Specialty Sleep Association space, World Market Center-C1350 at the upcoming summer show Las Vegas. The company will retain its previous showroom, WMC-B1062, for its Wright Assist service.
In its new SSA space, Wright will exhibit its line of headboard point-of-purchase solutions and top-of-bed offerings. The headboard displays provide manufacturers and retailers the opportunity to develop custom-designed solutions that incorporate brand messaging and strong graphics, such as lights, sound, iPad kiosks, unique textures as well as providing space for brochures and other collateral material. The company will also showcase its budget top-of-bed offerings, which offers its customers a more cost-effective option to dress and protect merchandise, while satisfying the need for dynamic curb appeal on the showroom floor.
Our Las Vegas presence has grown significantly over the last year," said Wright President and CEO Greg Wright. "As we continue to enhance our service programs and expand our product offerings, we made the strategic move to more easily distinguish between our two divisions. We chose the SSA space specifically because of its heavy foot traffic, giving us a stronger platform to showcase our full line of point-of-purchase and top-of-bed products.
Wrights previous showroom space, located in B-1062, will continue house its Wright Assist program, its at-market concierge service, which helps clients properly prepare and install signage and other last-minute point-of-purchase materials.
July 1,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Green on July 2, 2012
Home furnishings retail giant Ikea plugged in a new solar energy system last week at its store in Orlando, Fla.
The 120,900-square-foot PV array consists of a 967-kW system, built with 4,115 panels. Ikea Orlandos program will produce approximately 1,421,500 kWh of clean electricity annually, the equivalent of reducing 1,080 tons of carbon dioxide, eliminating the emissions of 192 cars or powering 122 homes yearly.
This Orlando installation represents the 18th completed solar energy project for Ikea in the United States, with 21 more locations underway, making the eventual U.S. solar presence of Ikea nearly 89 percent with a total generation of 38 MW.
For the development, design and installation of the Orlando stores customized solar power system, Ikea contracted with REC Solar, Inc., a national leader in solar electric system design and installation with more than 8,000 systems built across the United States.
We at IKEA believe in the never-ending job of striving to improve the sustainability of our day-to-day business, said Julie Mott, Ikea Orlando store manager. The IKEA coworkers in Orlando are excited to help contribute to this goal with our newly operational solar energy system. We appreciate the support of the City of Orlando, Progress Energy and REC Solar, Inc., our partners in this project.
July 1,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on July 2, 2012
Furniture supplier Flexsteel Inds. (NASDAQ: FLXS) has named Karel K. Czanderna president and chief executive officer.
Czanderna, an established leader in the durable goods space, is a veteran of Owens Corning and Whirlpool Corporation and succeeds Ronald J. Klosterman in the role.
Her position makes her one of only a few female CEOs in the furniture manufacturing business.
Czanderna's appointment was effective Sunday. Klosterman, who has been with Flexsteel for nearly 40 years, will maintain his board seat.
"For more than a century, Flexsteel's employees, investors and customers have benefited from exceptional executive leadership," said Flexsteel Chairman Lynn J. Davis. "That proud tradition will continue with Karel serving as our seventh corporate president. Having earned critical operational expertise through years of building world-class brands, Karel is uniquely equipped to enhance growth opportunities in our various business lines while maintaining the culture that has served as the company's foundation since its inception."
Czanderna served most recently as group president of building materials for Owens Corning. In that role, she was responsible for a $3.3 billion global business that comprised two-thirds of the Fortune 500 company's revenue. She led 7,500 employees located in more than 65 global plants as well as an integrated supply chain organization and sales and marketing staff. Among her many achievements at Owens Corning, Czanderna is credited with doubling the profitability of the building materials business during an economic downturn.
Prior to Owens Corning, Czanderna held multiple executive positions at Whirlpool Corp., including as vice president and general manager of global KitchenAid and Jenn-Air appliance businesses. In that role, she held responsibility for a $1.8 billion business.
"It is an honor to join an organization that since 1893 has built a reputation for unwavering commitment to product and service excellence," said Czanderna. "I look forward to preserving that storied heritage as we continue to expand on Flexsteel's many industry-leading innovations to create additional value for our customers and investors."
Czanderna, who earned her BS at Clarkson University and a master's from Cornell, was recruited by Eastman Kodak upon completion of her studies. She served the company in multiple capacities, ultimately being promoted to senior leadership positions overseeing $500 million in business activity and more than 5,500 employees.
"Senior officers and the board of directors are confident that Karel will value Flexsteel's heritage and be an exceptional leader," said Jim Richardson, Flexsteel director and senior vice president of sales and marketing.
July 1,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on July 2, 2012
Going-out-of-business sales have started at 20 RoomStore locations in Maryland and Virginia.
A U.S. bankruptcy court approved an order authorizing joint venture partners Hilco Merchant Resources, LLC, Planned Furniture Promotions, Inc., SB Capital Group, LLC, and Tiger Capital Group, LLC, to conduct the total liquidation of merchandise and store fixtures in each location.
"During its 20 years in business, RoomStore has become a well-known destination for furniture purchases in the many communities they serve," according to a spokesperson for the liquidators. "At a time when value means so much to so many people, this going out of business sale offers consumers an important opportunity to acquire fine quality furniture, bedding, rugs and accessories at very meaningful discounts."
July 1,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on July 2, 2012
Chad Van Kooten has been named regional sales manager for Hickory Springs Manufacturing Co.'s Midwest foam division.
Van Kooten is responsible for all aspects of sales at Hickory Springs' Fort Smith, Ark., complex and the Arlington, Texas, facility.
He has more than 20 years of sales and operational experience in both the logistics and pharmaceutical industries. Most recently, he was executive vice president and chief sales officer for USA Truck. In this role, Van Kooten led the sales team, oversaw customer service, set pricing guidelines and guided product/portfolio diversification initiatives.
Were very excited to have Chad join us as our new regional sales manager, said David Duncan, vice president of the Western foam division. We look forward to seeing how his diverse background and extensive experience will help us open up new markets and revenue streams for the Midwest foam division.