April 16,
2013 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Case Goods on April 17, 2013
Artist Bob Timberlake and his family are marking 100 years in the home furnishings business this year.
Timberlake's grandfather Edgar Anderson Timberlake moved to Lexington, N.C. in 1905 and later started Piedmont Furniture Co. in 1913. Two other companies - Piedmont Funeral Home and Piedmont Gas Service Co. - were spawned from the furniture company.
Bob Timberlake joined the family business after college and continues the tradition. The Bob Timberlake branded furniture collection is currently crafted by Century Furniture.
April 16,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on April 17, 2013
Tomas Eisenberg has left his position of vice president of strategic marketing at mattress and pillow manufacturer Latex International.
He had worked with Latex International since 2000, most recently overseeing the companys international business development.
Those functions will now be assumed by Pure LatexBliss President Kurt Ling in a organizational change to brand management offices in the United States, Europe and Asia. Pure LatexBliss is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Latex International.
Tom is an accomplished and well-rounded executive who worked with Latex International for over a decade, holding posts in sales, marketing, international, and operations, said Shelton, Conn.-based Latex International President and CEO Dave Fisher. In addition to developing both the international and domestic distribution channels, Tom played a critical role in designing Latex Internationals direct-to-retail strategies. We sincerely appreciate his contribution to our company and wish him well in his future endeavors.
April 16,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Green on April 17, 2013
The Sustainable Furnishings Council will celebrate Earth Day with a "Healthy Homes" lunch panel at High Point Furniture Market.
The session--Monday at 12:30 p.m. in the International Home Furnishings Center ballroom on the 11th floor of the Green wing--will investigate toxicity vis à vis home furnishings.
Earth Day Luncheon: Healthy Homes will explore new information that links home furnishings, namely materials used in construction and finishing of home products, to homeowners health and wellness.
Interior designer Jillian Prichard Cooke, president of DES-SYN and founder of Wellness Within Your Walls will moderate a panel that includes SFC Exemplary manufacturer members Barry Cik, a board-certified environmental engineer and founder of Naturepedic; Norman Coley, president of upholstery manufacturer Lee Inds.; and Gat Caperton, owner of domestic furniture manufacturer Gat Creek.
New research and the resulting media attention are making industry leadersand consumersmore aware of the risks to our health from exposure to toxic chemicals, many of which are found in the home furnishings industry.
On March 30, for instance, The New York Times published a report about n-propyl bromide, or nPB, an adhesive used in domestic furniture manufacturing. One of the most disconcerting revelations in the article: Medical researchers, government officials and even chemical companies that once manufactured nPB have warned for over a decade that it causes neurological damage and infertility when inhaled at low levels over long periods, but its use has grown 15-fold in the past six years.
SFCs panel of experts will explore how to wade through the latest data about toxicity and determine the right path for your business.
We want to do everything we can to reduce toxins and ultimately lead to healthier lives, Cooke said. Well explore methods for both educating current customers and reaching new ones by promoting well-being through safe, non-toxic and low-impact practices.
The event is free of charge and includes a vegetarian lunch, but seating will be limited and advance registration is required. E-mail here to secure a spot at the luncheon.
April 16,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Delivery on April 17, 2013
Contemporary and modern furniture vendor Chairtech has added a second U.S. warehouse in Thorofare, N.J., to serve a growing base of Eastern retailers.
Chairtech is leasing space in a facility operated by Jay-Cee Functional Furniture, which provides warehouse and distribution services for a number of furniture factories. Toronto-based Chairtech has an option to take as much space in the facility as needed and envisions eventually using 20,000 to 30,000 square feet, said Michael Rewucki, president.
Adding a second U.S. facility will enable us to enhance our level of service throughout the East and neighboring regions, said Rewucki. With this new facility, retailers in most Eastern and many Midwestern and Southern states can receive our products in as little as a few days. It makes us even more competitive, since todays retailers expect increasingly quick turnaround on their orders.
Chairtech distributes products to Western retailers through a 15,000-square-foot warehouse facility in Los Angeles, in partnership with Kube Import. In Toronto, at its North American headquarters, Chairtech has an additional 50,000-square-foot distribution center that handles Canada and the northern U.S. Chairtech also offers container-direct shipments of mixed products to retailers worldwide from its company-owned production facility in China.
Chairtech, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2012, produces value-priced dining and occasional tables, desks and chairs in metal, leather, glass and wood under the Italstudio brand in its China factory. Designs and product prototypes are created in Italy.
The fact that we own and manage our factory in China gives us a level of control over quality, service and working conditions that we wouldnt otherwise enjoy, said Rewucki. He added that Chairtech participates in the United Nations Global Compact, a set of 10 principles in the areas of human rights, labor, the environment and anti-corruption, and was recently singled out by the Chinese government as a model for other manufacturers. Our products are not only well made for the long term, they are manufactured ethically.
Along with its own designs, Chairtech also distributes select lines of other products--including bedroom, recliners and entertainment furniture--from other leading manufacturers worldwide.
At High Point Market, Chairtech is expanding its Italstudio line with a variety of fresh contemporary designs. Additions include a new version of the popular Trapeze desk that incorporates wood; a line of innovative occasional tables in bent glass; a stylish buffet, occasional tables and entertainment unit in a high-gloss lacquer finish with brushed stainless steel accents; and 10 new dining chairs, including luxurious leather models.
At market, Chairtech also will show new outdoor furniture designs from Kube Import.
Chairtech, Kube Import and Domital exhibit during the High Point Market in the IHFCs Hamilton wing, Space 504.
April 16,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Aggregated Content in Furniture Retailing on April 17, 2013
from http://www.startribune.com/business/203509601.html
First-quarter sales for adjustable-bed maker Select Comfort Corp. sagged 2 percent while operating earnings plunged 13 percent because of advertising miscues, the company said Wednesday. Including one-time items, net income rose 4.7 percent.
Select Comfort officials, who discussed results after the market closed Wednesday, also lowered their earnings guidance for the full year. Select Comfort shares fell during after-hours trading, dropping 6 percent to $16.50 a share.
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