Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
October 19,
2010 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedding on October 20, 2010
Craig Wilson has been named director of sales training and education for
Sleep to Live.
Wilson has more than 15 years of bedding industry expertise and will provide strategic education to the company's sales division.
While at
Simmons, Wilson was corporate vice president of sales training and development. In this position, Wilson identified and implemented sales process training and a leadership development program, both of which helped improve sales managers and representatives and led to increased sales. Additionally, he implemented programs focused on performance management, career coaching and progression planning.
After leaving Simmons, Wilson founded AsOne, Inc., a consulting firm that specializes in organizational assessment, development and realignment for companies looking to boost profits. His work as a partner entailed producing and delivering organization development and change management programs that improved clients efficiency and effectiveness during key changes, such as transition periods.
Wilson worked as the vice president of worldwide sales at
AboutGolf, a high end golf simulator company prior to joining Sleep to Live. He managed sales for international distributors in 22 countries, as well as restructured an 11-member domestic team of independent sales agents into a unified group.
Craig has unsurpassed experience in educational sales training within the home furnishings category and his proficiency will strengthen our already skilled team, said Kevin Damewood, senior vice president of U.S. sales for Sleep to Live and
Kingsdown. Sleep to Live is excited about this partnership and the new opportunities Craigs insight will bring as we plan for more advancements in the near future.
October 18,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on October 19, 2010
Beeline Home by Bunny Williams took home the honors of best of market showroom and merchandising ideas award from the High Point Market.
Four Hands won the people's choice award.
First runner up for the best of market was Miles Talbott and second runner up was American Leather.
Introduced in the fall of 2007, the showroom design and merchandising ideas competition notes the creativity and inventiveness of High Point Market exhibitors.
The best of market award recognizes the showroom that best exemplifies design excellence and is voted on by a panel of judges. Judges this year were: Michael Boodro, editor in chief of Elle Décor; Pamela Graves, editorial director of HomeFashion; and interior designer and blogger Tobi Fairley.
The people's choice award honors one exhibitor who captures the most attention at the Market and is voted on by attendees via Twitter and texts.
October 18,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Green on October 19, 2010
Furnitureland South will host the finalists and winner of Cargill BiOH polyols' Project UDesign contest for a discussion of eco-friendly furniture design.
The discussion is set for Wednesday, 10 a.m.-noon in the Jamestown, N.C., retailer's South Eco-Link, the area's first sustainable home furnishings gallery. The event will follow Wednesday's announcement of the Project UDesign winner. The three finalists' eco-friendly, wing chair designs were selected from six semi-final designs created by students who have recently completed SCAD's soft furnishings design course.
The Project UDesign competition is the first in the furniture industry to "crowdsource" a design that consumers will eventually be able buy. Additionally, Century Furniture has pledged to put the winning design into production in early 2011. The company will pay the contest's winner a royalty for each unit of the winning chair design it sells, and the winner will also receive a $1,000 award from Cargill's BiOH polyols business. Project UDesign co-sponsors include Toray International's Ultrasuede brand of upholstery covers made using the company's EcoDesign manufacturing process, and North Carolina-based Century Furniture, a 2009 AHFA SAGE award finalist and Sustainable Furnishings Council member.
During Wednesday's event, finalists will discuss the inspiration for their designs, and join in the conversation with SCAD students and Furnitureland South Design Consultants about the latest eco-friendly collections, and what consumers ultimately want in sustainable home furnishings.
Furnitureland South also will hold an online chat via Facebook and Twitter with industry and design professionals who are unable to attend the event. Tweets should be directed to the hashtag #FLSecoDZINEchat.
October 18,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Delivery on October 19, 2010
Logistics specialist Globe Express Services has introduced a new logo, Web site and corresponding corporate rebranding.
Globe Express, Charlotte, N.C., completed a merger with the Overseas Group, which will rank the company among the top 100 global logistics providers. The new organization, operating under the official name of Globe Express Services (Overseas Group), has emerged with expanded service capabilities and a more extensive global network serving Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the Americas. The company's enhanced value proposition stresses its stated mission: "To provide customized logistics solutions incorporating the ultimate customer service and the latest technology in a professionally rewarding environment."
"The merger allowed us to strengthen our position in the logistics market by increasing our geographic footprint and market share, and expanding our core competencies and our negotiating platform (size, scale)," said CEO Ziad Korban. "But despite this transformation, our brand is still built on three simple components: our people, our network, and our technology. Our people are the beating heart of the organization, each trained to deliver the personal touch that differentiates us. Our network--from our worldwide offices and warehouses, to our contracted carriers, to our extensive resources--creates the complex web that allows us to move and manage our customers' cargo assets anywhere in the world. And our technology creates a flexible medium for managing our customers' information needs--the equally important, yet intangible asset that connects them to their cargo."
Looking forward, the new GES will pursue economies of scale while leveraging best practices throughout the organization, resulting in an enhanced suite of services for its valued customers. The rebranding includes the launch of a redesigned Web site available in six languages, including English, Chinese, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Arabic.
"As we have all worked together these recent months to integrate the strengths of our companies, a key theme has emerged for the new organization: 'Supply chains built by people who care,'" said Group President Gilbert Khoury. "It has been inspiring to see over 750 logistics professionals worldwide, from a diverse cross section of divisions and backgrounds, come together and embrace this new brand identity as Globe Express Services (Overseas Group). Their open-mindedness and level of commitment have enabled us to rapidly expand our network and capabilities, and thus, better serve our customers. Given our team and our solid global infrastructure, there should be no limit to how much this company can continue to grow."
October 18,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Internet on October 19, 2010
Furniture manufacturer Palliser has launched a new Web site designed to give users a more engaging experience with the brand.
The new site features improved navigation, more detailed product information and gives the users the ability to customize their selections for a more streamlined, engaging and informative experience.
"It's no secret consumers are going online to research product," said Cary Benson, president, sales and marketing for Palliser Furniture, Winnipeg, Manitoba. "Our new Web site allows consumers and interior designers to get a lot more information about the product, before going to the showroom. This way, the end consumer is in a better position to have an informed dialogue with the retailer."
The new site has detailed information such as dimensions, available leathers and upholstery choices and most importantly, where the consumer can purchase. The improved dealer locater allows consumers to complete their online experience. After being entrenched in the Palliser brand and viewing products, consumers can find a local dealer where they can purchase their selection. Furthermore, streamlined navigation makes the overall online experience hassle-free and simple.
As part of Palliser's overall rebranding effort, the new site extends messaging of the "My Home, My Style, My Way" campaign.