June 14,
2011 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on June 15, 2011
Furniture and bedding component vendor Hickory Springs Mfg. Co. has promoted Bobby Bush Jr., Buster Mann, and Jimmy Bush to new positions within the company.
Bobby Bush has been named senior vice president of foam and environmental technology. He is responsible for the development and advancement of new foam products and technologies, and environmental compliance at all of the company's locations. Bush has been with Hickory Springs since 1976 and previously served as Conover Area sales Manager (19801988), West Coast Manager (19881994), and vice president of foam and environmental technology (19942011). He holds a degree in Business Management from Duke University.
Buster Mann has been promoted to senior vice president of foam operations and is responsible for all of Hickory Springs' foam facilities nationwide. In this new position, he will synchronize operational efficiencies for all six of the company's foam manufacturing plants and coordinate best practices for its 25-plus foam facilities. He has been with the company since 1975 and previously held the positions of Cleveland, Tenn., plant ,anager (19751980); area manager of operations in Americus and Jesup, Ga., and Cleveland, Tenn. (19801985); Mid-South Region vice-president supervising operations in Missisippi, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Florida (19851997); and Eastern Division vice president (19972011). Mann is a graduate of Lenoir Rhyne University with a degree in Physical Education/Health.
Jimmy Bush has been promoted to senior executive vice president of Hickory Springs Wire Products Group. He oversese the production of all spring-related products including the company's wire-drawing and spring plants, as well its three mattress innerspring plants located in Micaville, N.C.; Sheboygan, Wis.; and Holland, Mich. Bush joined the company in 1978 and has held the positions of assistant sales manager (19791982), innerspring product manager (19821984), national product manager of bedding (19841989), division vice president of sales and marketing (19891993); and executive vice president of bedding (19932011). He earned both a BA and his MBA from Duke University.
"Bobby, Buster and Jimmy are most deserving of these newly appointed positions," said Don Coleman, President of Hickory Springs, Hickory, N.C. "Their tenure with the company and their expertise in their respective divisions make each of these leaders a valuable asset to the company."
June 13,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Aggregated Content in economic news on June 14, 2011
from http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?z4842364361&z=1250249029
Americans bought fewer cars in May, pulling retail sales down for the first time in nearly a year.
Sales among U.S. retailers fell 0.2 percent last month, the Commerce Department said. It was the first decline after 10 straight increases.
Auto sales dropped 2.9 percent, the largest decline since February 2010. When excluding autos, retail sales rose 0.3 percent.
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June 13,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Delivery on June 14, 2011
Home furnishings supply chain specialist Zenith Global Logistics has added opened a home delivery hub in West Palm Beach, Fla.
The move marks Zenith's sixth new U.S. freight and home delivery hub since late 2009.
"Retailers are continuing to look to us for faster and better service in their 'last mile' of order fulfillment," said Jack Hawn, president and CEO of Conover, N.C.-based Zenith. "Florida represents a growing market for us as we build a national, in-home furniture delivery operation, which is fully integrated with our Tier 1 warehouse management and transportation management technologies. The West Palm hub, like all of our recent home delivery hubs, allows retailers to tap inventory that is closer to their customers for quicker delivery. Retailers also tell us in order to gain repeat business, they need to improve the overall service experience during delivery, because it's really their last opportunity to make a lasting, favorable impression on their customer. With respect to product handling, knowledge and care, theres nothing more important than the delivery team's interaction with the consumer."
The West Palm Beach hub comes just four months after the company announced the opening of a hub in Dallas and six months after it cut the ribbon on home delivery/split container facility in San Antonio. One year ago, the company opened its Atlanta home delivery location. Also since late 2009, Zenith Global has opened a regional freight hub in Tupelo, Miss., as well as a multi-tenant warehousing and distribution center in Claremont, N.C. Future network expansions include facilities in Seattle, Cincinnati, Richmond, and Connecticut.
Zenith Global Logistics services North America, the Caribbean and Europe with warehousing, consolidation and full/split container programs originating from multiple Asia locations. Domestically, the company owns and operates its own truck fleet as well as transportation hubs and more than 3.5 million square feet of warehousing.
June 13,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Retail Closings on June 14, 2011
Thomasville Furniture of Albuquerque will close its Carlisle Boulevard store.
A going-out-of-business sale began May 13. Owner John M. Jones decided to close in order to pursue other business and personal interests.
"We have enjoyed a tremendous relationship with the people of Albuquerque and it's surrounding areas for many years," Jones said. "With the many changes taking place in the furniture industry, we felt it was a wise decision to concentrate on other business and personal interests as well as closing our store."
Grand Rapids, Mich.-based sales promotion specialist Lynch Sales Co. is coordinating the store closing sale.
June 13,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Rugs on June 14, 2011
Capel Rugs has named Ron Bristow ,anager of its High Point showroom, located in Market Square, Space 112.
In his new role, Bristow is responsible for sales and visual merchandising of the showroom and works closely with Capel's extensive list of interior designers helping them with their rug selections. He reports to Allen Robertson, Capel's vice president of sales. Ron previously worked in sales management with Capel, prior to that he was with Hendricks Furniture Group.
Capel's High Point showroom is open daily 9 a.m.-5p.m. Special hours are available by appointment.