Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
April 21,
2012 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Special Events on April 22, 2012
Motion furniture vendor Lane Furniture recognized top sales performers at its annual awards banquet Thursday.
The celebration included inductees in Lane's 2011 President's Club.
Tod Shepherd, Western region, received the Salesperson of the Year Award; and T.G. Smith, Southeast region, the Rookie of the Year. Luis Soto was recognized as the International Salesperson of the Year. Each of these winners surpassed established quotas and was instrumental in boosting overall sales for the company.
The President's club is awarded to five sales representatives (one per region) whose past year's performance, leadership and development of the region far exceeded expectations. The 2011 President's Club will meet quarterly throughout 2012 and serve as a council to assist Lane with product development and organizational decisions, and serve as a field advisory board to Lane management.
2011 President's Club Members are Rick Eich, Amy Haley, Tod Shepherd, T.G. Smith and Jim Blonkowski.
Lane also recognized top performers per region for their accomplishment in signing up the most new accounts in 2011. Those winners included Kirk Thoms, David Workman, Mike Andrews, T.G. Smith, Mark Fenton and Aaron Cooley.
One of the last awards given was for years of service. Larry Sheets was recognized for his 30 years of outstanding contribution to Lane Furniture.
"Hard work, creativity and perseverance have certainly paid off for these individuals," said Greg Roy, president of Lane. "I am so proud of their leadership and example. This year promises to be very successful for Lane thanks to our terrific retail partners and our strong sales, marketing and operational team that make up the Lane family."
April 21,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on April 22, 2012
Home Furnishings Independents Association and TD Bank will hold a drawing at High Point Furniture Market for a $250 gift card.
The Wednesday drawing at HFIA's booth in the atrium of Furniture Plaza, 210, S. Main St., is open to all dealers who visit the HFIA booth, receive information about the Renovate private label credit card program and leave a business card.
The Renovate Card plan, a new product available to HFIA members through TD Retail Card Services, provides a full range of custom financing options, discounted rates and special member benefits. Advantages of the program include a high average retail ticket, rapid credit decisions, ongoing promotional support, and domestic servicing performed at TD Bank's headquarters in Mahwah, N.J.
Following the drawing Wednesday, the $250 gift card will be mailed to the winning retailer. In addition, dealers who submit a completed consumer finance program application will receive a $20 gift card.
April 21,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Obituaries on April 22, 2012
Well-known furniture retailer Stuart Shevin, long-time principal of Standard Furniture, has died following a battle with lung cancer. He was 63.
The funeral was Thursday in Birmingham, Ala.
Shevin was a force within the furniture industry, holding a number of leadership positions on a number of industry boards, including the National Home Furnishings Association.
According to the obituary, Shevin planned well for the his son Jacob's "succession at the family's 100-year-old business." In conversations and e-mails with Shevin commented frequently on the confidence he held in his son's leadership abilities within Standard Furniture.
In addition to Jacob, Shevin is survived by his wife Debbie and daughter Rachael, about whom he loved to brag and share stories of her career in bio-medical research.
Shevin had a zest for life and a truly compassionate spirit that will be missed immensely within the furniture community and the world as a whole. His unique sense of humor always led to an amazing conversation.
Contributions in Shevin's memory can be made to either Hadassah, Temple Beth-El or UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center.
April 21,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Advertising on April 22, 2012
La-Z-Boy Furniture and Brooke Shields have extended the "Live life comfortably" advertising partnership that debuted in November 2010.
The brand campaign with the actress features a broad assortment of products, and since the introduction of the commercials and ads in the 2010, the company has experienced an increase in overall sales.
"We have been very pleased with our association with Brooke and with the overall "Live life comfortably" campaign," stated Doug Collier, chief marketing office at La-Z-Boy. "Brooke represents what many of our customers are and aspire to be-a stylish woman committed to her home, job, and family. We could not have picked a better representative for the La-Z-Boy brand and our customers. We are thrilled to continue this partnership."
The campaign will continue to focus on educating female consumers that La-Z-Boy comfort fits their lifestyle, as well as educating them about the company's wide selection of furniture beyond its well-known recliner. The "Live life comfortably" campaign features the relaxed side of Shields and the up-to-date and range and variety of La-Z-Boy furniture.
"Partnering with La-Z-Boy has been a great experience and I am looking forward to continuing my relationship with the brand," Shields said. "I love the work we've done together and while the brand is iconic for comfort and quality, it has been so much fun showing everyone all of their beautiful sofas, sectionals, tables, ottomans and more. I grew up with La-Z-Boy furniture in my home and it is exciting to see how much the collection has evolved beyond its legendary recliners."
New television and print ad production will begin in May, with new ads to begin running in the summer and continuing to 2014. The national cable TV buy includes more than 20 networks and print ads will run in top women's and shelter publications.
Check out a sampling of the commercials.
April 21,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on April 22, 2012
Hickory Chair Furniture Co. has named Drew Sweeney vice president of sales and business development. In his newly created role, and with more than a decade of manufacturing experience, Sweeney will spearhead improvements in Hickory's manufacturing cycle from custom furniture order to creation to delivery.
Sweeney is also responsible for guiding the company's team of business development advisors to increase market penetration through various distribution channels.
Sweeney was previously employed with Hickory Springs Manufacturing Co., a furniture springs producer located in Hickory, N.C. Throughout his tenure with Hickory Springs, which began in 1999, Sweeney was a manufacturing salesman whose responsibilities for sales growth covered both new and existing domestic and international territories. In his 13 years with Hickory Springs, Sweeney was promoted from sales representative to product manager and from sales manager of metal products to general manager of the corporate metal division respectively. Sweeney's most recent position was national director of sales and new business development.
"The position that Drew recently filled was created to support our ongoing desire to shorten and streamline our manufacturing and sales cycles while reinforcing t Hickory Chair advantage," said Jay Reardon, president. "Drew's manufacturing experience is a critical asset to the integration of order-to-delivery process manufacturing efforts. He shares our passion for responding to customers' needs and embraces Hickory's 'Made to order. Made to last.' culture. Drew's passion and demonstrated success complement the capabilities Hickory has developed throughout the past century and we look forward to what the future holds with Drew on board."