May 10,
2011 by in UnCategorized 
By Aggregated Content in Green on May 11, 2011
from http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?z4614259903&z=1250249032
With local officials and community leaders, as well as PG&E and REC Solar representatives on-hand, Ikea the world's leading home furnishings retailer today flipped the switch on a newly constructed solar energy system at its southwestern U.S. distribution center in Tejon, Calif.
The 370,000-square-foot solar array consists of a 1.8 MW system designed and installed by California-based REC Solar, and built with 7,980 REC Group panels. The system will produce 2.88 million kWh of electric power a year.
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May 10,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Aggregated Content in Furniture Retailing on May 11, 2011
from http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?z4613145802&z=1250249029
Furniture Row Racing driver Regan Smith says his Southern 500 victory last week proves a tiny team from way out West can succeed alongside NASCAR's big boys.
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May 10,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Acquisition on May 11, 2011
E. S. Kluft & Co., manufacturer of Aireloom and Kluft brand mattresses, will acquire Park Place Corp.'s plant and distribution center in Denver, Pa.
Terms of the deal on the 86,000-square-foot facility, which should close late this month, were not disclosed.
After retrofitting and training for its production processes, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.-based Kluft will retain approximately 40 employees. Kluft will use the facility to service dealers in the eastern and central portions of the United States. The plant, located in central Pennsylvania near Lancaster, was originally built in the 1970s. Park Place purchased it in 2007 and has used it as a satellite-manufacturing center from its main base in Greenville, S.C.
For Kluft, the acquisition of the Pennsylvania plant will provide the delivery lead time needed to properly service current and prospective customers in the eastern portion of the country who until now were relying on deliveries from its Southern California facility.
"Kluft and Aireloom brands are so unique in the industry that there has been growing interest by high-quality retailers who have wanted to carry the brands but were hesitant to make a commitment because we were only producing in California," said E. S. Kluft & Co. President and CEO Earl Kluft. "This new facility changes all that as we can very efficiently and effectively service these accounts. It will open many new retail doors for us.
"As our brands continue to grow nationally, we needed an eastern facility to reach new prospects more effectively and to better service the growing needs of our dealers there. The Pennsylvania plant is strategically located next to major highways and has a wonderful workforce steeped in a great culture of producing quality bedding. We expect to complete our due diligence over the next few weeks and close the transaction quickly so we can begin production shortly."
For Park Place Corporation, the sale realigns the company's manufacturing and distribution with the area of responsibility under the license agreement signed with King Koil Licensing Co. last August.
"We are very pleased that our (Pennsylvania) associates will continue in the mattress making profession," said Park Place Corp. President Jimmy Orders. Earl Kluft is a quality and design leader with a long-term commitment to the industry."
May 10,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Community/Charitable Support on May 11, 2011
Furniture retailer Gardner-White Furniture and
WXYZ-TV are teaming up to present a $5,000 scholarship to the winner of the Brightest and Best Essay Contest.
High school seniors, selected by their schools as the Detroit area's "Brightest and Best," are invited to participate in the contest by submitting a 500-word essay on how to move Michigan forward by keeping young graduates working and living in Michigan. The winner will be announced June 22 on WXYZ-TV.
"We're asking these kids, who have already accomplished so much in their academic careers, to put their creativity to work to help us bring our region back," said Steve Tracey, president of Gardner-White Furniture, Warren, Mich. "We are looking forward to some fresh, innovative ideas that we can, in turn, share with our state and local leaders. It will be an honor for Gardner-White to present the scholarship to the writer of the winning essay."
The deadline to submit an essay is June 6. All of the essays submitted will be delivered to Michigan Governor Rick Snyder and Detroit Mayor Dave Bing. The essay finalists in the competition will be posted online at
wxyz.com and
gardner-white.com.
"We are pleased to salute the achievements of these talented students and reward their ideas for moving our region forward," said WXYZ-TV Vice-President and General Manager, Ed Fernandez. "These honorees represent some of the best minds in our area and we're excited to be able to share their innovative ideas and creative suggestions with our community leaders."
The contest is a new addition to "Brightest and Best," WXYZ-TV's 32-year tradition recognizing the academic achievements of graduating seniors from high schools across Metro Detroit. Each year, Channel 7 hosts a special luncheon at WXYZ-TV and invites more than 250 honorees and their families to attend. WXYZ on-air personalities join the celebration, and moments from the event are captured on videotape and edited into short segments that air on WXYZ-TV and wxyz.com throughout the summer.
May 10,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedding on May 11, 2011
RickRobinson, president of Spring Air International, has joined the Specialty Sleep Association board of directors.
"The SSA board welcomes Rick Robinson and his unique perspective regarding our 'future of sleep' mission," said SSA Board President Dale Read. "In addition to product innovation, the SSA is committed to consumer education and transparency with regards to 'truth in green marketing.'"
"Given my longstanding commitment to specialty sleep products and to consumer health and the environment, I'm honored to serve as a member of the SSA board," Robinson said. "As a mattress brand that many consumers know and trust, we're pleased to be developing Spring Air Back Supporter products that meet the criteria of the SSA's Environmental and Safety Program. I also look forward to joining other board members in guiding the growth and future of the organization."
A major SSA initiative in place outlines environmental and safety standards for bedding products, with its three-level certification seal and product labeling program for manufacturers and retailers. The SSA Environmental and Safety Consumer Disclosure Program and Go-To-Bed retail toolkit is expected to help companies respond to current and pending U.S. government requirements in the marketing of green products, to meet regulations and to avoid fines and penalties, and to help RSAs easily identify those products to consumers.
Robinson will complete the term of a board member who is taking a leave of absence to carry out missionary work in Zimbabwe.