Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
May 9,
2011 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Accessories on May 10, 2011
Diane Carnevale Jones, former owner of Professional Marketing, has formed Carnevale Jones Group, offering strategic consulting services and high profile project work.
She will continue to target markets where her expertise lies: gift and home, non-profit and trade organizations, consumer product manufacturing, retail, and technology.
Carnevale Jones has sold Professional Marketing is under the ownership of Jillian Lambert and Gwen Vryhof, both long-time employees of the company. Carnevale Jones will continue as executive director of the Gift and Home Trade Association, while Professional Marketing will handle the day-to-day operations of the organization.
Carnevale Jones's client list over the years includes companies such as Swarovski, eBay, Royal Doulton, Charisma/Marie Osmond, Ganz/Webkinz, Christopher Radko, Zondervan/Inspirio, Thomas Kinkade, Brandwise, Whereoware, Mud Pie and Hospice of Michigan.
Professional Marketing has been honored numerous times by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and other award programs for its public relations campaigns and innovations; and Carnevale Jones was recently recognized as one of Grand Rapids Business Journal's Top 40 Women-Owned Businesses in West Michigan, 2011, as she was in 2007.
"When I started my business 29 years ago, it was my intent to work independently," said Carnevale Jones. "But over the years, my business evolved into an agency, and I thrived in this environment with my colleagues and clients. In recent years, however, I identified special projects and unique opportunities that would best be handled independently, so I made the decision to return to my original business model as a sole practitioner. I embrace my new role as innovator and consultant."
May 9,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Case Goods on May 10, 2011
A fire in the former Kindel Furniture Co. plant Monday will not disrupt the company's order fulfillment or product shipments.
The company relocated those operations in January to a different facility, according to company officials.
Kindel President John VanZee said the former factory at 100 Garden Street SE in Grand Rapids, Mich., has been unoccupied for several months after the company moved its production equipment and its employees to the new location.
Grand Rapids fire officials said no one was injured in the fire that may have started about noon when contractors were dismantling old equipment on the building's third floor.
"The loss of the historic building constructed in 1912 will be mourned by many in the Grand Rapids community," VanZee said. "Kindel also is deeply saddened to lose of such a rich part of its history, but the loss won't prevent us from continuing our heritage in the production of 100 percent domestically made high-end furniture."
Demolition crews were expected to be at the site today to continue clearing debris.
May 9,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Las Vegas on May 10, 2011
World Market Center Las Vegas has launched its Rep Rewards program for Summer 2011 Las Vegas Furniture Market, Aug. 1-5.
The program is designed to foster a partnership with the thousands of sales representatives who actively promote Las Vegas Market. World Market Center Las Vegas recognizes the important relationship between sales representatives and their customers and gives manufacturers and independent sales representatives added value and incentive to bring their buyers to the upcoming Las Vegas Market.
For every buyer or retail store that meets the qualification criteria, World Market Center Las Vegas will reward the rep with a $50 gift card for each referral (for up to 25 leads) as well enter the rep into the $5,000 Grand Prize Drawing which will be announced at Summer Las Vegas Market. The more referrals a rep brings, the more chances to win the big prize.
"Our industry representatives work hard to bring in new buyers to Las Vegas Market," said Robert Maricich, president and CEO of World Market Center Las Vegas. "Rep Rewards is a unique way for reps to act as our ambassadors and take more ownership in the success of the show. Rewards are a great way to say thank you for their efforts."
May 9,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedding on May 10, 2011
Select Comfort Corp. (NASDAQ: SCSS) today has named Wendy Schoppert chief financial officer.
Schoppert reports to Bill McLaughlin, president and chief executive officer, and her appointment is effective June 6. Schoppert succeeds Jim Raabe, who is leaving the company to become CFO at Lindsay Corp. (NYSE: LNN), a provider of irrigation systems and infrastructure products.
Schoppert joined Select Comfort in 2005. During her time at the company, Schoppert has served in a variety of senior-level leadership positions, including her recent role as CIO. Notably, as CIO, Schoppert contributed to the company's turnaround by leading the restructuring of the IT function. Prior to becoming CIO in 2008, Schoppert was senior vice president leading the company's international business. Schoppert also held the position of senior vice president and general manager of new channel development and strategy.
"We are fortunate to have an executive with Wendy's proven versatility on our management team, and I am pleased she has agreed to assume the role of CFO," said McLaughlin. "Wendy has a deep understanding of the company, which, combined with her strong financial background, will serve Select Comfort well. I look forward to working closely with Wendy in her new role as the team continues to deliver profitable growth and enhance value for our shareholders."
Before joining Select Comfort in 2005, Schoppert led various departments within U.S. Bancorp Asset Management. Prior to that, Schoppert held a variety of finance and general management positions within the airline industry, including leadership roles in financial planning and analysis, investor relations and strategic planning.
"I would like to sincerely thank Jim for his significant contributions to Select Comfort during his 13-year tenure with the company," McLaughlin said. "In addition to his strong overall leadership of the finance function, Jim was an integral partner in helping us achieve the solid financial position that we enjoy today. I have greatly valued Jim's guidance and counsel, and on behalf of the board and management, I wish him the best."
May 9,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Casual Furniture on May 10, 2011
Casual furniture supplier Agio International has named Andy Sokol vice president of sales.
Sokol will lead the outdoor manufacturer's newest initiative to make inroads and increase sales with traditional home furnishing retailers.
Sokol brings 27 years of retail merchandising experience in home furnishings with him to represent the Agio brand among furniture store retailers. Most recently an executive with Macy's, (NYSE: M) Sokol spent most of his career in outdoor furniture with the legendary New York and New Jersey retail chain Fortunoff.
Announcing the appointment, Agio President Bob Gaylord said Sokol's nearly three decades of experience on the retail side would immediately impact Agio's initiative to expand the casual outdoor furniture business into the traditional home furnishings retail segment.
"When Andy and I discussed the possibility of him joining Agio, we realized that we had exactly the same vision in regard to this game changing opportunity," Gaylord said.
"I'm excited to be joining the Agio team," Sokol said. "Agio leads the outdoor industry not only because it has its own design teams, produces a great product and provides value; Agio can execute the delivery of that product. It's the total package that's important to retailers."
"Andy was instrumental in making the outdoor category successful with two retailers when it was not their core competency," said Gaylord. "That's why Andy has joined the Agio teamto help us explain and to help retailers understand how to get involved in this segment and succeed."
Sokol spent the majority of his career with the Fortunoff chain helping to build that store's casual outdoor furniture business in the New York Tri-State area. Sokol began his career with another Northeast retailer Filene's Basement in Boston, which at that time was part of the Federated Group.