October 2,
2011 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on October 3, 2011
Home furnishings public relations specialists Brand Communications and Creative Communication Services are moving to offices in High Point's Radio Building.
The two marketing communications firms will occupy suites on the historic downtown building's eighth floor.
Leslie Newby, president and owner of Brand Communications, is relocating from nearby Greensboro.
"I believe High Point will be at the center of an exciting future for home furnishings," she said. "After 10 years concentrated in this industry, I look forward to building business by focusing on what's next."
Prior to starting her company in 2005, Newby had a career in brand marketing. She also served as senior editor at InFurniture and Home Furnishings News industry publications.
Carla Mata-Sprinkles, president and owner of High Point-based Creative Communication Services will move to an adjoining office. Mata-Sprinkles works with recognized home furnishings companies as well as with businesses outside of the home industries. She was vice president of public relations for McNeill Communications before opening her firm in 2007.
Newby and Mata-Sprinkles plan to maintain their individual businesses and also will collaborate on client work.
"Leslie and I have enjoyed supporting each other on specific projects over the years," said Mata-Sprinkles. "The joint move will allow us to work at a deeper level of collaboration for key accounts as we see fit and when it best serves the client."
The Radio Building, located at 164 S. Main St., was designed by architect Charles C. Hartmann and built in 1922-23 for Commercial National Bank. Owned and operated by Lambeth Enterprises since 1945, it was named a Guilford County historic property in 2009. Current tenants include the High Point Market Authority, the Interior Design Society, and the buying group Furniture First.
October 2,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Special Events on October 3, 2011
Gorman's Home Furnishings and Interior Design will host an "Ask A Designer" event on Saturday, Oct. 22, and Sunday, Oct. 23, at its five Michigan showrooms.
The "Ask A Designer" event provides guests the opportunity to consult one-on-one with an interior designer and discuss their home decor challenges. Consultations, as always, will be provided at no cost and no obligation. Customers are encouraged to bring their fabric swatches, paint chips, pictures, and room schematics so that the designers can given them individualized advice about their options and choices. Designers will also have sample books and fabric swatches on hand.
"Design is what we know best. We have Michigan's top interior designers working in our five showrooms," said Tom Lias, president of Gorman's. "All of our designers have access to more than 100 of the most style-conscious brands, unlimited selections and customization options and constantly help homeowners make their design dreams a reality."
Consultations are available on a walk-in basis or by making an appointment at the Novi, Lakeside, Southfield, Troy or Grand Rapids stores. For more than 70 years, Gorman's has been recognized as a Michigan style leader in home furnishings.
September 29,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Aggregated Content in Furniture Retailing on September 30, 2011
from http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?z5266687831&z=1250249027
MORGANTOWN Home Furnishings Factory Outlet Mall is in the process of closing, with all of its stores slated to be gone by the end of the year. Most of the furniture stores have already shut their doors, the last one will be out by Oct. 31, said Chuck Frank, property manager at Morelli Rental Corp., the East Whiteland-based retail real estate company that owns the mall in Morgantown. The last remaining store, BBs Grocery Outlet, will be out by Dec. 31, Frank said.
Read Full Article...
September 29,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on September 30, 2011
Ron Klosterman, president and CEO of
Flexsteel Inds.
(NASDAQ: FLXS), plans to retire before the end of 2012.
Klosterman, who has been with the company for nearly 40 years, succeeded Bruce Lauritsen in the position in 2006.
"Flexsteel has been fortunate to have an executive of the caliber of Ron Klosterman," said Bruce Boylen, chairman. "Ron has been entrenched in every aspect of Flexsteel's operations, including finance, manufacturing and marketing. He has gained tremendous respect within the company and the furniture industry demonstrating confidence in and conviction to our company. We will benefit from his guidance in his continuing role as a director."
The company's board of directors has formed a search committee and will retain an executive search firm to identify candidates to succeed Klosterman.
Klosterman began his career at Flexsteel as a staff accountant, was promoted to manager of corporate accounting and audit, was selected to establish and serve as general manager of the company's Dublin, Ga., production facility, held positions as treasurer, CFO, president and COO, before being named president and CEO. He was appointed to the board of directors in 2005.
"Today's announcement is an important milestone in our succession planning process that will position the company for a smooth leadership transition," Klosterman said. "It has been, and continues to be, a privilege to lead this tremendous company. As part of our succession planning, I believe the time is right for someone new to take the reins, to elevate Flexsteel to the next level. Moving forward, I have great confidence in the company and the abilities of our leadership team to continue our long-term success."
September 29,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on September 30, 2011
The Fall
High Point Market has received designation as a U.S. Commercial Service International Buyer Program from the
U.S. Department of Commerce.
The Market is the only home furnishings trade show to receive the designation.
This is the fifth time the Market has been given the IBP designation, but the first time that the Fall edition of the Market has been named an IBP show. It is also the first time both shows in a calendar year have received the honor.
According to Tom Conley, president and CEO of the High Point Market Authority, the IBP program is designed to connect U.S. companies with international customers, and to raise global awareness of a the High Point Market.
The High Point Market is among more than 40 U.S. trade events representing major business sectors that have been selected for the IBP by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Conley said. It is the only home furnishings trade event to receive the designation and recognizes the importance of our Market to the home furnishings industry here in the U.S. and the role that we play in the expansion of exports. The IBP designation also underscores the global nature of our Market and its influence on the world economy.
In the past five years, the U.S. Commercial Service has helped in the recruitment of delegations to the High Point Market from Canada, Europe, Mexico, the Caribbean, South America, Asia and the Pacific Rim countries, Africa, India, and the Middle East.
Along with developing an integrated strategic approach to messaging, marketing and outreach in the global marketplace, the Market Authority has increased the High Point Markets presence at other trade shows, meeting with consulate representatives around the world that assist in promotion of the Market and initiating cross-promotional activities with other trade show organizers where appropriate.
International promotion of the High Point Market is augmented by the Market Authoritys international trade publication initiative, with journalists invited from all over the world to High Point to cover the Market each season.
This October, editors are attending from Brazil, China, Portugal, Jordan, Canada, Colombia, and Mexico. In prior Markets, editors from the United Kingdom, Mexico, Germany, Russia, Dubai, Brazil, Australia, South Korea, the Netherlands, Spain, Japan, Italy, Ukraine, and India, providing the Market with editorial coverage in publications around the world.