Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
February 6,
2012 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Acquisition on February 7, 2012
Office planning specialist
Knoll (
NYSE: KNL) has agreed to acquire outdoor furniture designer and supplier
Richard Schultz Design.
"The acquisition of Richard Schultz reflects our ongoing interest in remixing our business with high design, high margin specialty offerings which appeal to both commercial buyers and consumers worldwide," said Andrew B. Cogan, Knoll CEO. "Richard Schultz began his career as a designer with Knoll and co-founded his company with his son Peter in 1992. Together, they have built an international reputation for exploring new materials and forms for outdoor furniture. We look forward to the continuous success of the Richard Schultz brand."
The company sells the 1966 Schultz Leisure Line and 1960 Petal Table Collection, originally designed for Knoll, as well as contemporary outdoor furniture designs. Its designs are included in the collections of
The Museum of Modern Art, the
Victoria and Albert Museum and the
Philadelphia Museum of Art.
"Our award winning designs in the modern tradition are a perfect complement to the Knoll portfolio," Peter Schultz said. "We look forward to our products joining the KnollStudio collection of residential and workplace furniture."
Richard Schultz Design maintains a marketing and design studio in Palm, Pa.
The acquisition is expected to close on or about March 1.
February 5,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on February 6, 2012
International Market Centers honored employee Mike Snider with the Robert (Bob) H. Spilman Spirit of Excellence Award during a recent banquet.
Snider is the third recipient of the award.
He joined the company in 1982 in the operations department at the
International Home Furnishings Center and was quickly promoted to assistant operations manager. In 1995, Snider assumed the duties as the director of operations. In 1999, he was named vice president of operations at Merchandise Mart Properties in High Point. During his tenure with MMPI, Snider oversaw the development of the Suites and Market Square and Plaza Suites. He returned to the IHFC in 2009 as vice president of operations and in 2011 was named vice president operations for
International Market Centers (IMC) High Point.
Tom Mitchell, IMC president of home furnishings, said the award represents the qualities that Spilman would have wanted to recognize.
A loyal performer who is customer-service oriented, and an engaged team player who leads by example," Mitchell said. "Mikes recognition is for each of these criteria, and more. Id describe that additional quality as he cares. Theres not an exhibitor in High Point who at some point hasnt had an experience with Mike and I can assure you, as they have all told me personally, that guy did me right'.
Snider was presented with a silver bowl, a replica of the Robert H. Spilman Spirit of Excellence Award. This award is engraved each year with the name of the annual recipient. In accepting, Snider said I couldnt be more proud of the staff and team here in High Point and of the honor of receiving this award.
February 5,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on February 6, 2012
Jim Sherbert has stepped down as CEO of ready-to-assemble specialist
Bush Inds. and will retire this spring.
Sherbert, who has served as CEO since August 2005, will continue to serve in a transitional role until his retirement date and assist with efforts such as international affairs. Jim Garde, who has served as CFO and most recently as president of the BBF division, assumes leadership of the company.
Sherbert joined Bush as CEO more than six years ago following a company reorganization and set out to further establish the company as an industry leader. Prior to joining Bush, he served as the CEO of Castle Rock Inds.; president and COO of Southcorp Packaging USA; and president and COO of Advance Packaging.
Its been an incredible, six-year journey that Ive taken with Bush Industries and Im very proud of what weve accomplished during that period and grateful to everyone at Bush who has contributed to advance the efforts of the company, Sherbert said. I have every confidence that Jim Garde will direct the company toward continued excellence and growth.
Garde was named president of the BBF division in August 2011 when it became a distinct operating division. Prior to this, Garde served as chief financial officer and executive vice president of the company since 2006. Through his executive-level financial and operations experience with Bush and companies such as Heidelberg Digital and Heidelberg Web Systems, he brings to his new role a disciplined management focus and proven track record of leading company operations and increasing profitability.
We are grateful for Jim Sherberts leadership over the past six years. He has done a tremendous job of navigating us as a company through one of the most challenging economic periods in history, Garde said. I accept my new role with the confidence that we have the people, products and position in the market to continue to thrive and excel in the industry.
February 5,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on February 6, 2012
Belfort Furniture and Lawrance Furniture are the National Home Furnishings Association's 2012 Retailers of the Year.
Belfort, Dulles, Virginia, led by Mike Huber, is a family owned business that originated in Germany in 1969. The company as it is known today was founded by Mike and Kristi Huber when they opened the first store in 1987 in an industrial park with a lone employee. Within five years Belfort employed 25 team members. By 1992, the 35,000-square-foot Belfort Galleries opened in Dulles, situated in one of the fastest growing counties in the U.S Belfort Basics opened in 2003, followed by Belfort Mattress & Kids in 2004, Belfort Interiors in 2005; and in 2006 Huber opened a new, state-of-the-art 83,000-square-foot warehouse.
Mike Huber was elected to the NHFA Board of Directors in 2012. He is an Advisory Board Member at Middleburg Bank, a member of Loudoun County CEO Cabinet, an Honorary Board Member of the Loudoun Education Foundation, and is recognized as a Top 100 Smart CEO by Washington, DC SmartCEO, and a Top 20 CEO by NOVA Executive.
Belfort has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to worthy charitable causes over the years, including City of Hope's Walk for Hope, Loudoun Abused Women's Shelter, Embry Rucker Shelter, the American Cancer Society, Avon Breast Cancer Walk and Doctors Without Borders. Belfort Furniture is the Corporate Sponsor of the YMCA Loudoun County Charity Golf Tournament, which has raised over $300,000 to date to send less fortunate children to camp. Belfort was named 2008 Corporate Sponsor of the Year by the Loudoun County YMCA, and awarded the 2010 Corporate Partnership Award by the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington.
Lawrance Furniture, San Diego, led by Howard Haimsohn, was founded as Modern Furniture Company in 1937 by Howard's grandfather, Herman Haimsohn, and a friend, was located in downtown San Diego. In the mid-1950's Howard's father, Ed, took over the family business and changed the merchandising strategy from a general furniture store to a modern specialty retailer. In 1976, Howard became the third generation of the family to work in the business. In 1986, Ed turned over the reins of the business to Howard, making him president. Today Howard and his wife, Julie, manage Lawrance Furniture as the leading retailer of modern and contemporary home furnishings in San Diego County, with locations in San Diego and Encinitas.
After serving on the Board of the Western Home Furnishings Association, in 1990 Howard joined the Board of Directors of the National Home Furnishings Association. He was elected president of NHFA in 2002, and served a total of 14 years on the NHFA Board.
Howard and his father founded the Contemporary Design Group in 1983. Howard currently serves as president of this organization, which has 20 member companies across the country.
Howard and Julie, along with Lawrance Furniture, are active in their local community, supporting Rady's Childrens Hospital, Congregation Beth Israel Hunger Project, which provides 1,000 meals a year to the homeless and needy; City of Hope cancer research, Susan B. Komen for the Cure, Seacrest Village senior housing and healthcare, Helen Woodward Animal Center, and Center for Community Solutions for the prevention of sexual assault and domestic violence.
NHFA's Retailer of the Year Awards are presented at the Spring High Point Market Furniture Industry Awards Gala. This year's Gala will be held Monday, April 23, at 6 p.m. in the IHFC Ballroom, 11th Floor, Green Wing. Candidates must be nominated by active members of the home furnishings industry. The recipients are selected for their outstanding contributions to the home furnishings industry, exemplary service to the community, and personal business achievements. The award, signified by a crystal obelisk, is the highest honor that the 93-year old trade association can bestow upon a member.
February 5,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on February 6, 2012
Bernie & Phyl's Furniture is sponsoring a contest for an all-expense paid trip to Los Angeles to see the Kids' Choice Awards live on March 31.
In addition to four tickets to the Kids' Choice Awards, hosted this year by actor Will Smith, the lucky winner and three family members will attend other events surrounding the show. Hotel accommodations and round trip airfare are also included. The total approximate value of the prize is $10,000.
"This is the chance of a lifetime for one lucky child and his or her family to see some amazing musical performances," said Larry Rubin of Bernie & Phyl's Furniture, Norton, Mass. "It should be an unforgettable event for the whole family."
Entries will be accepted until Feb. 20, and the winner will be announced shortly thereafter. Anyone age 21 or older can enter by visiting one of Bernie & Phyl's six stores in Massachusetts and New Hampshire (no purchase necessary).
The Kids' Choice Awards is an annual awards show presented by Nickelodeon that celebrates the accomplishments of those who work in music, television, and movies. The award winners, who are presented with the coveted orange blimp award, are chosen by kids who vote for their favorites in a variety of categories. In 2011, more than 200 million votes were cast. The show is broadcast live and features many musical acts, celebrity guests, and trademark green slime.
Bernie & Phyl's Furniture has seven stores in New England: Braintree, Mass.; Hyannis, Mass.; Nashua, N.H.; Raynham, Mass.; Saugus, Mass.; Warwick, R.I.; and Westboro, Mass. An eighth store will open in Natick, Mass., this month.