January 18,
2011 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Business Strategy on January 19, 2011
The American Home Furnishings Alliance will hold its 2011 Manufacturing Summit March 8-9 at the Franklin Furniture Institute at Mississippi State University.
The Summit will bring together industry leaders dedicated to sharing strategies, experiences and best practices for becoming more competitive in todays global market. The 9 a.m.-4 p.m. program is $89 for AHFA members and $139 for non-members.
Program highlights include a legislative and regulatory update from by Bill Simmons, managing principal at Dutko Worldwide, AHFA's government affairs management firm.
In conjunction with Dutko, AHFA's Government Affairs Committee has revitalized the industry's presence in Washington. Committee members participated in multiple Capital Hill visits in 2010 to meet face-to-face with legislators on a wide range of issues impacting residential furniture manufacturers. Simmons will bring attendees up to date on top issues and describe their potential impacts on our industry.
The Summit also will include an industry overview and economic analysis from Howard Armistead, one of the founders and a managing director of Mann, Armistead & Epperson. Armistead has more than 30 years experience assisting corporations and shareholders in a wide variety of transactions focusing on the transfer and transition of corporate ownership.
Donald Meurer, director for product sourcing and development for Flexsteel's commercial seating division will provide a manufacturing overview. He conducts all import sourcing and negotiation of pricing from suppliers in Europe, Taiwan, China, Vietnam, Thailand and India. Meurer also functions as the on-site manager for the EFEC environmental management program in the commercial seating division and will be spotlighting the company's EFEC efforts in his presentation. Prior to joining Flexsteel, Meurer was employed by La-Z-Boy Inc. for 14 years in positions ranging from product development in Monroe, Mich., to plant superintendent in Leland, Miss.
Mary Jean Gates of the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality will discuss the MDEQ enHance environmental stewardship program. MDEQ recently entered a partnership with AHFA and the Franklin Furniture Institute to promote AHFA's EFEC environmental management system as a fast track to entering Mississippi's enHance stewardship program.
Wanda Land, workforce specialist at the Mississippi Development Authority will address pertinent labor and workforce issues impacting the Mississippi manufacturing sector and discuss ways various state agencies and community colleges are supporting manufacturing in the state.
Finally, Summit attendees will welcome special guest Dan Mullen, head football coach for the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Mullen was widely regarded as one of the top young minds in college football when he arrived at MSU in 2008. With him he brought an impressive offensive resume and a list of NFL-developed quarterbacks, as well as energy and passion for the college game.
Summit attendees requiring overnight accommodations can take advantage of a special group rate at the Hilton Garden Inn in Starkville, Miss. Rooms are available for $109 a night until Feb. 23. Reservations are available by calling 662.615-9664, or click on the hotel link provided on the Events page on AHFA's Web site, where complete registration details also are available.
January 18,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Business Strategy on January 19, 2011
WithIt, the womens leadership network for home and furnishings professionals has named Mary Leigh Howell 2011 president.
Howell, vice president of Greensboro, N.C.-based RLF Communications will lead WithIt's newly announced board of directors.
"It's an honor to lead an organization that has meant so much to me on a professional and personal level," Howell says. "WithIt's value to its membership and our industry is a constant, and the Board will continue to develop compelling educational events and networking opportunities for home and furnishings leaders. In addition, we will improve and expand the organization's online presence by launching an enhanced Web site, a series of topical webinars and timely network-building tools."
The WithIt Board of Directors is made up of an executive committee, vice presidents who lead major committees, vice presidents who represent industry niches, and vice presidents who represent geographic regions.
Serving in 2011 on the Executive Committee are:
* Chairman Board of Governors, Liz OBrien, sales representative, Ekornes, Star International and Carter Furniture.
* Chairman, Stephanie Lowder, president and creative director, Rare Bird Creative.
* President, Mary Leigh Howell, vice president, RLF Communications.
* Vice president/president elect, Julia Rosien, president, SocialNorth.com.
* Vice president, Debbie Beers, vice president of consumer strategy, art and science hub, Furniture Brands International.
* Treasurer, Kira Staggers, audit associate, Smith Leonard PLLC.
Vice Presidents/Committee Chairs perform the duties of an assigned WithIt committee. The 2010 officers are:
* Marketing, Amanda Williams, public relations account supervisor, Wray Ward.
* Media, Julie Smith Vincenti, president/manager, Nine Muses Media LLC.
* Mentoring, Lorri Kelley, vice president of Western U.S. sales, Palliser.
* Education, Cathy Smith, director of design and merchandising, De Leo Textiles.
* Membership, Cindy Williams, vice president of sales, Info Retail.
* Scholarship Foundation, Violette Forman, general manager, Havertys Furniture.
Vice president at large officers serve as representatives of an industry niche. The 2011 vice presidents at large are:
* Millennial Outreach, Amy Voelker, vice president of merchandising communications, FurnitureDealer.net.
* Casegoods/Upholstery, Beverly Kastel, marketing manager, Ekornes.
* Supplier, Libby Langdon, president, Libby Interiors Inc.
* Retail, Shelley Parlin, chief operating officer, Profitsystems.
Regional Vice Presidents build membership and develop events within their geographic region. The 2011 officers are:
* Vice president New York Metro/Northeast Region, Jana Platina Phipps, owner, Home Couture Collective/Classical Elements.
* Vice president Florida, Alexia Rouquette, director of marketing and public relations, Twin Star International/Classical Flame.
* Vice President Virginias/Carolinas, Trisha Kemerly, president, WhipSmart Creative.
* Vice President Chicago/Midwest, Joan Franken, owner, Concepts & Designs.
* Vice President Dallas/Southwest, Cameron Cook, public relations manager, Four Hands.
* Vice president Las Vegas/West, Kassie Smith, president, Kassie Smith Lifestyle Group.
* Vice president International, Donna Bartlett, president, ViewIt Technologies Inc.
"WithIt builds relationships that are permanent, reliable, and perhaps show their greatest worth when everything else in life seems unsteady," Howell said. "Because of this, the organization attracts talented and tireless professionals to serve on its board."
January 18,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Business Strategy on January 19, 2011
High-end furniture manufacturer Theodore Alexander has launched a multi-faceted strategy to strengthen its position as a leading luxury brand.
The program includes an extensive new Web site, updated logo and corporate color palette and marketing materials.
"The moves are designed to enhance the company's growing international presence as a preeminent source for stylish, inspired home furnishings that are hand-crafted with care for its discerning customers and their lifestyles," said Harvey Dondero, CEO of Theodore Alexander, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. "This monumental undertaking was led by Lizzy Freundel, our director of marketing communications and innovation. She and her team did an outstanding job of developing the strategy and facilitating the plan. Our retail partners will greatly benefit by this significant
investment which will drive sales and increase business."
The new Web site, which debuted Jan. 10, is the centerpiece of the branding initiatives. The site was developed by Critical Mass, an interactive marketing agency that helps companies use digital media to increase revenue and deepen customer relationships. An Omnicom company, Critical Mass has worked with luxury brands such as Rolex and Infiniti.
Theodore Alexander's new integrated internet experience has unique features that include multiple enhanced product search functions, custom-crafted videos of the company's elaborate manufacturing processes, historical background and period references for the line, and a shopping cart linked to local retailers with a quotation request function.
Signature pieces from the 4,000-plus items on the site provide 360-degree views, using a "reflections" technique that adds dimension and visual interest. Consumers can create Look Books of their favorite items to use for shopping or sharing with others; Look Book creation is a feature that will also benefit design professionals working with clients.
"The new site aims to create an emotional bond with users through enhanced visuals and storytelling," Freundel said. "It communicates the brand's aesthetic while it facilitates browsing the extensive line of large collections. Each feature and function was designed to motivate users to explore the site further."
The site also offers features and functionality to facilitate the ordering process and servicing of Theodore Alexander's retailers from around the world. Theodore Alexander sales associates will provide them training and assistance to maximize the benefits of utilizing the new site.
In conjunction with the updated brand identity, Theodore Alexander is updating its marketing collateral, including product photography, typography, and logo, which has been redesigned for more weight and presence. A new color palette is rooted in the warm, rich tones of the company's furniture.
"In all our marketing and communications, we will emphasize our key strengths: highly original designs, the finest quality construction, and details and flair that go far beyond the expected," Dondero said. The new brand statement, he added, will convey the message that it is "possible to fall
madly in love with a piece of furniture."
January 18,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Acquisition on January 19, 2011
Accent furniture vendor Bailey Street Holding Co. has signed a letter of intent to acquire sales rep firm Omni Marketing and Sales Group, Dallas.
"The merging of our two companies represents a new and what I believe to be a beginning chapter in the home decor and gift industry of the future," said Jim Berk, Arlington, Texas-based Bailey Street's chairman and CEO.
Ruth Krivo, Omni's chairman and CEO said the merger "represented a unique opportunity to join two organizations that have known each other for nearly a decade."
Berk said it is the new company's intention to maintain their respective showroom presence in Dallas (where Bailey Street shares space with other vendors in the Omni Showroom in the World Trade Center), Atlanta, High Point (in the IHFC Building) and Las Vegas.
"Today, a number of regional representatives groups have their own showrooms in High Point, for example, to serve their territorial customers visiting that market," Berk said."Just one synergy of this new partnership is our ability to provide better exposure in the markets named to all of Omni's lines where appropriate. We consider ourselves extremely fortunate and grateful that this opportunity has presented itself and are committed to success on behalf of all our constituencies.
"Bailey Street believes merging with Omni provides great strategic benefits. Omni has attracted a group of world-class lines and offers the expanded company an opportunity to partner with those lines to expand their reach in whatever territory we might be chosen to represent them."
January 18,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Rugs on January 19, 2011
Capel Rugs' Songbird braided rug will join the North Carolina Museum of History's permanent artifact collection in Raleigh.
The Songbird rug will be added to the museum's collection during a special ceremony this Thursday at noon on N.C. State University's Centennial Campus in Room 3002 of Engineering Building II at 890 Oval Drive.
"All of us at Capel Rugs feel incredibly honored to have one of our rugs added to the North Carolina Museum of History," said Capel Rugs Director of Administration Mary Clara Capel. "We strive to reflect our history of superior design and outstanding quality with every rug we make and it is exciting to receive recognition for that commitment."
Capel Rugs originally presented the Songbird rug as a feature item in the NCSU-Industrial Extension Service's Manufacturing Makes It Real Tour, a week-long celebration of the high-quality and competitive spirit of North Carolina manufacturers that took place last year. About a dozen items from that tour, including the Songbird rug, were selected by the North Carolina Museum of History to be added to its collection.
The North Carolina Museum of History celebrates North Carolina's past, present and future by collecting and preserving artifacts and other materials relating to the state's history and heritage, and provides a place to explore, learn and enjoy programs, events and exhibitions.