Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
April 2,
2012 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Delivery on April 3, 2012
Logistics provider Globe Express Services has formed a joint venture with freight forwarder International Transport Services Associated.
Headquartered in Rome, Italy, ITSA has spent more than 33 years as a leading international air and ocean freight forwarder. Today, the company ranks fourth in Italy in terms of volume on Asia-Italy trade, operating branch offices in Milan, Venice, Taranto, Pomezia, Civitavecchia and Bari, as well as its own warehouses in Rome and Milan.
With the joint venture, GES increases its global network to 56 corporate offices worldwide, reflecting the companys commitment to working with the right people in the right places to support its growth plans.
In 2011, Italy had the world's 11th largest economy in terms of purchasing power, with an estimated gross domestic product $1.826 trillion. The national economy is driven in large part by the manufacture and export of high-quality consumer goods, including textiles, apparel, footwear, motor vehicles, food and beverages. However, in the aftermath of the 2008 euro-zone crisis, the Italian import market continues to suffer from low domestic consumption. Despite these challenging economic factors, ITSA has managed to maintain its position and market share, especially with regard to trade between Italy and the Asia Pacific and India.
"This agreement represents a highly strategic opportunity for GES to partner with a professional and well regarded company in a key global market," said GES Chairman Gilbert Khoury. "This acquisition not only expands our office network in Europe, but extends to the Italian market key service segments (air freight, warehousing, consolidation services) already provided by GES France and GES Switzerland. In addition, we are strengthening our global footprint and product offering in relation to the fashion and apparel industry."
Vincenzo Cuffaro, president of ITSA, added: "We strongly believe that the JV will benefit both GES and ITSA. From ITSA's point of view, we will gain access to new markets and increase our export business, which are two of our main strategic objectives. We will also gain a broader corporate vision and access to a more complete support network, which will help expand and further improve our business model."
April 2,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Upholstery on April 3, 2012
Custom upholstery producer Temple Furniture will celebrate its 50th year in business at the April 21-26 High Point Furniture Market.
Temple, a High Point exhibitor since 1984, will mark the occasion with special promotions, giveaways and events at its showroom, 200 N. Hamilton St., in the South Court, Space 210.
"We salute Temple Furniture, the Parker family and all of their employees on this major milestone,"said Julie Messner, vice president of leasing for International Market Centers. "This is a fine company with a proud, made-in-America legacy and we are thrilled to have them as a long-time tenant at 200 N. Hamilton."
The company, based in Maiden, N.C., will hold a cake-cutting celebration on Sunday, April 22, 5-7 p.m. as part of its customer appreciation reception. In addition, it is developing special product promotions with discounted anniversary pricing that will be announced at market.
Prize drawings will be held during market in honor of the anniversary, and the company also is planning to donate 50 items to its local Habitat for Humanity chapter this year to recognize the important role the community has played in its success.
"We're very excited about this big event," said Kim McRee, marketing director and granddaughter of company founders Cecil and Mossie Parker. "We'll be doing a lot of exciting things at market to mark the occasion of our 50th birthday."
Cecil Parker started the company as Temple Manufacturing in an old church building in Maiden. A former upholsterer for a manufacturer in Hickory, Parker was joined in the start-up by his wife Mossie, who cut fabric swatches in the early days and later managed the office.
The company operated in the old church for about nine years, said McRee, moving to a new building in 1971. Over the years, that facility has been expanded several times, and it now stands at 120,000 square feet, with two plants and office space.
"We are totally family owned and made in America," said Tony Parker, president and CEO of Temple Furniture and its sister company Parker Southern. "Our success is built on quality products and top-notch service. We offer three- to four-week delivery on all orders, 85 percent of which is custom."
In 1978, Tony and his brother Gary took ownership of Temple Inc. from their parents. Both Cecil and Mossie remained active in the company until 2005, when they retired. Cecil, Mossie and Gary all passed away within days of one another in June 2011--Gary, after a battle with cancer, and Cecil and Mossie from brief illnesses. At the time of their deaths, Cecil and Mossie had been married for almost 71 years.
Today, a third generation of the Parker family is active in the company. In addition to Kim McRee, who is Tony's daughter, the management team includes: Kelly McRee, Kim's husband, who is general manager; Rebecca Cox, Gary's daughter, fabric manager; Donald Cox, Rebecca's husband, sales manager at Temple Furniture; Angie Wright, Tony's daughter, designer; Tarbee Wright, Angie's husband, a sales representative at Temple and sales manager at Parker Southern; Adrian Parker, Tony's son, general manager at Parker Southern; and Lori Parker, Adrian's wife, creative director of marketing.
"Family is a big part of our company," said Tony Parker. "And we see our customers as family, too. Our oldest customer has been doing business with us for 40 years. Our customers and our employees are our biggest assets."
At market, Temple Furniture will introduce 13 sofa groups and several chairs in traditional and transitional styling, including some new models for Tailor Made, its "design it yourself" collection with multiple arm, back and base options. In addition, the company is adding 100 new fabrics and leathers to its cover offerings.
"It will be the biggest introduction I can remember," said Kim McRee, who has been working for Temple for more than two decades. "Our custom approach is a big plus--we're very designer-friendly."
Priced in the mid to upper end of the market, all of the company's upholstery features eight-way, hand-tied construction. The line includes sofas, sofa-sleepers, sectionals, chairs, ottomans and chaises, with a range of more 1,000 fabrics and 50 leathers, and more than 120 trims and 25 wood finishes.
To promote its line, Temple Furniture is in the process of putting together a new 50th edition catalog. In March, it also redesigned its Web site.
At both Parker Southern and Temple Furniture, an effort is made to 'recycle, reuse and reduce' wherever possible," said McRee. Used cardboard and paper is donated for recycling to RHA Health Care Services, a local nonprofit that uses the proceeds to support programs for the disabled. Used ink cartridges also are donated to a local school as part of an ongoing fundraising campaign.
In addition, all of the companies' seat cushions are made with a renewable soy-based polyol. The cushion fibers consist of 80 percent regenerated fibers, as do the arm padding, seat deck and trim padding. Springs are made of 60 percent recycled metal.
Parker Southern, which Adrian Parker launched in 1991 and Temple Furniture acquired in 2003, also will be introduce new models at market. Known for its upper-end accent chairs, as well as dining and office seating, the company specializes in custom-order traditional styles.
Parker Southern shows at 200 N. Hamilton St., in the North Court, Space 103.
April 2,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Lighting on April 3, 2012
ELK Lighting Inc., parent company of several lighting and furniture brands, has rebranded under the name ELK Group International.
In addition, the company has unveiled a new, progressive corporate logo that serves as the company's brand identity and will be used throughout the company and its subsidiaries.
As part of this move, the company will consolidate its product offerings into three divisions:
* Sterling
This home furnishings division specializes in occasional furniture, mirrors, decorative accessories and wall art in a wide range of coordinating styles and price points.
* Dimond
This lamp-only division focuses on portable floor and table lamps offering more than 500 designs driven by emerging fashions and industry leading trends.
* ELK
All lighting brands will consolidate under ELK lighting fixture division, which combined, will offer more than 4,000 hardwired indoor and exterior lighting fixtures primarily for the residential, commercial and hospitality sectors of the lighting industry.
The realignment and consolidation of the company's brands will better support the changing requirements of customers and strengthen the company's position in the lighting and home furnishings industry.
"Moving forward, we will be better able to leverage our offerings, in the lighting and furnishings divisions, and pool our vast resources to play a major role in these growing markets," said Bradford Smith, CEO of ELK, Nesquehoning, Pa. "Our vision is to be the preferred home furnishings leader excelling in the delivery of complimentary product categories. "ELK has been a front-runner in offering customers a single source for lighting, furniture and accessories, and these announced changes will further enhance the customer buying experience."
April 2,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on April 3, 2012
International Market Centers has set a schedule for
High Point Furniture Market educational and trend seminars.
All take place on the 11th floor of the
International Home Furnishing Center's Green Wing.
* "The Heart of the Home: Helping Women Furnish Their Homes for Fully Connected Family Living"
Saturday, April 21, noon-1 p.m. Ballroom B. Today's tech-savvy, Internet-enabled furniture consumer knows what she likes, how she wants to live, and how much she can spend. If you can help her realize her home dreams on her budget, you'll win her love. Better Homes and Gardens Editors Amy Panos, senior editor, and Joseph Boehm, senior interior designer, share how this new breed of consumer thinks and what she wants most from her home and the resources that help her achieve it. Sponsored by IHFC; reservations not required; complimentary box lunch provided.
* "WithIt Educational Breakfast, Lifestyle Changes and How They Influence Your Business"
Sunday, April 22, 7:30-9 a.m., Ballroom A. Kathy Wall of The Media Matters Inc. moderates a panel discussion with three editorial champions whose expert insights help inform consumer tastes and trends: syndicated writer Elaine Markoutsas, designer and blogger Jason Oliver Nixon, and Traditional Home senior style editor Krissa Rossbund. What do they see coming next and how will that influence your business? Sponsored by IHFC and WithIt; breakfast and seminar are free of charge; reservations are required by
e-mail or at
withit.org.
* "Growing a Business Environmentally"
Sunday, April 22, noon-1 p.m., Ballroom B. Presented by Mitchell Gold, co-founder and chairman of Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams. Gold discusses the inspiration behind his entrepreneurial venture with Bob Williams, launched 23 years ago in the midst of a recession. He'll share what compelled them to build a different kind of furniture company, one organized around the concept of comfort and the environment, and explain what it means for consumers, employeesand the environment. $20 includes lunch; advance registration recommended; reservation is secured upon receipt of payment.
E-mail to request a credit card authorization. Sponsored by IHFC and IFDA Carolinas Chapter.
* "Why the Bad Economy has been the Best Thing for My Business"
Monday, April 23, noon-1 p.m., Ballroom B. Internationally acclaimed designer Allison Paladino presents a provocative discussion on what's important now, from the creative process to building your personal brand as a designer, and why the Recession may actually be the best thing that ever happened to her high-end interior design business. With a sharp wit and a healthy dose of humor, Allison shares her personal story, from landing her first job directly out of design school with Thomas Pheasant, to being named "One of America's 25 Top Young Designers" by House Beautiful, to launching her own highly successful design practice serving luxury consumers in Palm Beach, Fla. She'll offer insights, inspirations and a fresh perspective on how designers with classical backgrounds can effectively compete in the Internet age, the inside story on the major licensed collection she's created for E.J. Victor, and finding order and success in the crazy, creative profession of design. $20 includes lunch; advance registration recommended; reservation is secured upon receipt of payment.
E-mail to request a credit card authorization. Sponsored by IHFC and IFDA Carolinas Chapter.
* "Hide & Seek Leather Seminar" (CEU 0.1 credit units)
Tuesday, April 24, 9-10 a.m., Ballroom B. Leather has been a cornerstone of the interior design industry for centuries but its story and merits are not broadly understood. Hide & Seek is a one hour "everything you wanted to know but were afraid to ask that will bolster your confidence when discussing leather with your clients. Instructor John Smith is the founder of the furnishings company Willem Smith and its sister company, Willem Smith Leather, both based in Washington, D.C. $10 at the door, check or cash only; reservations not required; complimentary refreshments. Sponsored by IHFC.
* "Passion to Profit"
Tuesday, April 24, noon-1 p.m., Ballroom B. Learn how to transition from simply professing a passion to actually profiting from your passion. Lisa Luby Ryan, interior designer, store owner and entrepreneur, will share the practical steps that bring you to "loving what you do and doing what you love." She will outline her principles for business success that can be adapted to any product or service. Reservations not required; complimentary box lunch provided. Sponsored by IHFC.
* "Market Trend Wrap-Up"
Wednesday, April 25, 9-10 a.m., Ballroom B. Tracy Bulla, senior product editor at Home Accents Today, presents the hottest trends from the April 2012 Market. Complimentary refreshments provided.
Visit the
IHFC Web site for more information about this seminar series and other market highlights.
April 2,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Special Events on April 3, 2012
Dallas Market Center and the Accessories Resource Team are calling for nominations for the 24th annual ARTS Awards.
Those in the home accents or furnishings industry are encouraged to nominate their peers for these awards online now.
The ARTS Awards, presented each January during the Dallas Total Home & Gift Market, recognize top manufacturers, retailers, product designers and sales representatives from across the world. The 24th annual ARTS winners will be revealed during a gala event on Saturday, Jan. 19,. This year's awards will recognize excellence in 26 categories.
Anyone in the home furnishings industry may nominate in all categories. Neither membership inART nor representation at Dallas Market Center is necessary. The nomination deadline is July 18. A new, streamlined ballot is now available.
The awards categories are as follows.
Manufacturer Awards: Accent Furniture, Area Rugs, Decorative Accessories, Home Textiles, Lighting Fixtures, Outdoor Living, Permanent Floral, Portable Lamps, Tabletop, Wall Decor and the Green Award.
Retailer Awards: International Retailer, Furniture Store, Lighting Showroom and Home Accent Store.
Individual Awards: Product Designer of the Year, Sales Representatives of the Year, Rising Star and Academy of Achievement.
A new, simplified finalist submission process will soon be announced, allowing ARTS Awards participants greater creativity and efficiency.
Submit a nomination online.
The 24th annual ARTS Awards are sponsored by EnLIGHTenment, Gifts & Decorative Accessories, Giftware News, HFN, Home Accents Today, Home Fashion Forecast, Home Lighting & Accessories, Overcoffee, Residential Lighting and the Sustainable Furnishings Council.
For additional information regarding the ARTS Awards, contact Lindsey Villarreal.