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From Home Furnishing Business

Commerce Wing Adds 2 New Exhibitors

September 27, 2013  by in High Point, Market   

The new exhibitors are Urban Collections by Yutzy Woodworking and Somerton Dwelling. The relocated exhibitors are Leggett & Platt, Chromcraft and Modus Furniture International.

"We have had a considerable number of expansions and relocations, as well as new tenants joining us in the IHFC Commerce wing this market," said Julie Messner, vice president of leasing for International Market Centers, which owns IHFC. "We have customers who need more space to show new product and line introductions, and new companies interesting in using High Point Market as a platform to grow their business and take advantage of the shifting economy.  

Urban Collections, IHFC-C659, is new to High Point Market and is a domestic producer of solid-wood bedroom, occasional, home office and entertainment furniture, is showing for the first time in a 5,500-square-foot showroom. 

At the October market, Urban Collections by Yutzy's introductions will include a new range of youth furniture. In addition, the company will introduce a new high-styled cherry bedroom called the Monticello collection.

"We've had great success showing in local venues but it's time to take our business to the next level," said Dennis Yutzy, founder and president. "We sell some very big accounts, and having a High Point showroom will make it much easier for them to shop our line."

Yutzy also aims to expand the company's distribution in new regions of the country such as the South and West, through its new showroom.

"We're looking for major partners in key markets," Yutzy said. "We protect our customers by working only with select retailers who have similar commitments to trust and profitability." 

This summer, Urban Collections by Yutzy opened a new 30,000-square-foot plant, which it will use to produce its growing home office, entertainment and occasional lines. The plant has created more than 200 new jobs and "gives us the additional capacity we need to continue growing," said Yutzy.

The company's 100,000-square-foot plant in Millersburg will now be dedicated to bedroom furniture. Both plants are located in Holmes County, known for its strong community of skilled woodworkers.

"One element that sets us apart from other manufacturers in the area is our totally integrated operation," said Yutzy. "We do everything from dimensioning lumber to finishing. We even ship everything on our own trucks, delivering orders in six to eight weeks nationwide."

Also making its High Point debut this market is Somerton Dwelling, which is exhibiting in a 17,000-square-foot showroom in the IHFC-C1156. The new showroom is being designed by Connie Post, CEO of Affordable Design Solutions. 

"Connie has created an exciting entrance to our showroom with a curvilinear design that naturally welcomes you to our eco-positioned brand," said Rita Ho-Bezzola, Somerton's CEO. 

The U.S. sales and marketing arm of China's Kingstone Furniture, Somerton Dwelling offers a diverse line of dining, bedroom, home office, entertainment and living room furniture. The company's wood products all feature water-based finishes, and its upholstery incorporates a mix of recycled and natural fabrics. 

The company has distribution centers in Corona, Calif., where it is based, as well as North Carolina. Kingstone celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.

Carthage, Mo.-based Leggett & Platt, which had been showing in Space C603, is moving to Space C1165 in the Commerce wing this market. The new showroom will enable L&P to focus its High Point presentation on merchandise designed for furniture stores, said Ron Ainsworth, senior vice president of procurement. Featured products will include upholstered headboards and beds, adjustable beds, bed frames and metal beds.

"We introduced upholstered headboards two years ago and they've been a tremendous success," said Ainsworth. "This market, we'll show a number of fully upholstered models that should have strong appeal with furniture stores and sleep shops."

L&P's new showroom will be completely updated for market. It will feature new flooring and walls, along with a kitchen and conference area.

Chromcraft Revington, another company changing locations in the Commerce wing this market, is moving next door to Space C603. The new showroom is 12,500 square feet--2,500 square feet bigger than its previous location in Space C602.

"Having a bigger showroom will enable us to showcase an even broader array of product," said Mike Hanna, senior vice president of the Senatobia, Miss.-based producer and importer. "We continue to expand into new style categories and price points, and this showroom gives us room for those introductions as well as more of our current best sellers."

At market, Chromcraft Revington will add eight occasional groups to the Peters-Revington line, addressing a new opening price point range. The introductions will feature several fresh contemporary designs and enhanced storage functions, according to Hanna.

In addition, Chromcraft will expand its domestic dining line with new swivel-tilt bucket sets priced at $1,199 and $1,299. New dining sets priced at $999 and below also will be offered as part of its Montage import line.

"We're looking forward to a strong market," said Hanna. "The big building is the perfect location for us and we expect to build on the increased traffic we generated during our April showing."

Modus Furniture International, which has been showing in Space 601 of the Commerce wing, is moving to Space 806 for the October market. The new 17,000-square-foot showroom is slightly bigger than its previous location.

Based in Los Angeles, Modus is a manufacturer and distributor of contemporary and transitional bedroom, dining room and entertainment furniture. It sources its products from plants in Indonesia, China, India and Vietnam.

This market, Modus' introductions include four casual dining sets in solid acacia and black pine. In contemporary styling with an industrial flair, the groups include two distinct finishes - a rough, wire-brushed technique for a rustic feeling and a more classic, close-grain treatment.

"We'll show the new finishes side by side, and the difference is dramatic," said John Lannertone, vice president of sales. 

Modus also will bring out six new solid-wood bedroom sets featuring exotic woods such as acacia from Vietnam, sheesham from India and sangun (Javanese lumber) and mahogany from Indonesia.
  
"We're known for our clean-lined mahogany case goods in a dark finish," said Lannertone. "But with these, and other recent introductions, we've expanded that profile to include a variety of exciting new designs in unusual woods and finishes. We expect that some retailers will place several of these groups on their floor in a gallery-like presentation."