Archive for May 23rd, 2006
James Prichard ,Associated Press
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - A small, new company created by Steelcase Inc. to outfit hospitals and doctor’s offices is among the latest indicators that the once-ailing U.S. office furniture industry is well on the road to recovery.
Nurture by Steelcase, launched this month with 23 employees, is going after a market that is certain to grow as baby boomers and Gen Xers require more medical attention. It will offer furniture for patient’s rooms, nurse’s stations, laboratories, waiting areas and other medical environments.
Nurture also will further diversify Steelcase’s revenue stream, something many successful office furniture companies are doing as they continue rebounding from an unprecedented, industrywide sales slump that lasted nearly four years beginning in 2001.
Some makers of furniture are finding new sources of revenue by expanding into new product categories. Others that had focused mainly on selling high-price goods to large corporations are selling more midprice items to smaller businesses. Still, others are exploring the possibility of expanding into the burgeoning market in Asia.
Steelcase and Herman Miller Inc. say they continued to put a lot of money into product innovation during the slump. Herman Miller, perhaps best known for its Aeron ergonomic office chair, will introduce the largest collection of products in its history during the NeoCon World’s Trade Fair, spokesman Mark Schurman says.
Offices of the future may be illuminated by Herman Miller’s new LED task light that will be among the products introduced at the industry’s biggest annual trade show.
The event will be held June 12-14 in Chicago.
Nurture also will be at NeoCon to introduce several of its product designs.
After three decades of constant growth, the industry enjoyed its best year ever in 2000, recording $13.3 billion worth of orders, according to the Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association International, a trade group based in Grand Rapids, Mich.
Then orders plummeted, bottoming out at $8.5 billion in 2003 and rising only to $8.9 billion the next year. Companies halted expansion plans and stopped ordering furniture because of worries about the economy and terrorism.
“It definitely wasn’t a fun time to go through,” said Joe Nowicki, treasurer and vice president of investor relations for Herman Miller.
By 2005, things started to look up. Industrywide orders had risen to $10.1 billion, up 12.7 percent from the previous year.
May 23rd, 2006
Hardwood Artisans, which makes and sells furniture, tells how to remove stubborn water rings from your wood furniture.
Dennis Pinkerton, manager of the Alexandria, Va., store, advised that the area first be cleaned with a small amount of Murphy’s Oil Soap and warm water. Then pour a dime-size dab of good English oil (he uses Watco Rejuvenating Oil) on a soft rag and rub it directly into the stain.
If that doesn’t work, try gently rubbing a steel wool pad moistened with oil on the stain.
May 23rd, 2006
Prague, May 21 (CTK) -
Czech furniture shops raised sales in 2005 as shoppers spent several dozen billions of crowns on furniture, the shops and experts have said.
Data from the Incoma Research company and the Moderni obchod magazine showed Ikea CR was the leader in the segment with sales up from CZK 2.68 billion to CZK 4.5 billion in 2005.
Growing competition on the market forces shops to cut furniture prices.
“We cut prices by 5.5 percent in 2004 and by 7 percent in 2005. For the fiscal year 2006 we have reduced prices by 10 percent,” Ikea spokeswoman Katerina Horova told CTK.
On the other hand, shops selling expensive furniture have found a place on the Czech market too. Wagner Design sold several dozen beds that cost CZK 200,000-300,000 in 2005.
“We want to sell more than 1,000 beds a year in the years to come,” said Karel Vagner from the company.
The Association of Czech Furniture Producers ACN said Czech furniture output had been growing slowly in the past years. Its annual volume is now CZK 45-50 billion, of which 60-70 percent is exported.
The Czech Republic registers about 4,500 furniture makers employing 45,000 staff.
ACN vice-president Radek Brychta said Czech furniture makers made up 40-50 percent of total sales in the Czech Republic. Imported furniture comes mostly from Poland.
“But the production of Czech furniture is bigger. It is exported mainly to EU countries and, recently, to Russia and Ukraine,” said Brychta.
Sales of the largest Czech furniture shops
Company
2004
2005
Ikea CR
2.68
4.5
Asko Nabytek
1.4
1.9
Sconto Nabytek
1.34
1.4
Source: Incoma Research
May 23rd, 2006
By Dana Dubriwny
GRAND RAPIDS, MI-New York City-based Ashley Capital has signed a non-binding letter of intent to purchase 250 acres from furniture manufacturer Steelcase Inc. With more than four million sf of development potential, executives with Ashley say they are anticipating a mixed-use project with residential, retail, restaurant and industrial components.
In 2005, Steelcase tapped Grubb & Ellis|Paramount as its brokerage partner for the site. The company plans to retain ownership of its 385,000-sf global headquarters building, located at 901 44th St. SE, as well as its 60,000-sf Steelcase University Learning Center.
The company also plans to maintain 55% of its manufacturing operations in Western Michigan.
Nancy Hickey, chief administrative officer with Steelcase, says evaluations of candidates were based on financial capability, experience in substantial redevelopments, and compatibility of the developer’s plan with the needs of the community.
In turn, Ashley Capital’s principal investment strategy involves the acquisition of under-utilized and/or physically obsolete industrial parks, bulk warehouses, big-box distribution properties, manufacturing facilities and office buildings, which present the opportunity to reposition and revitalize the asset to create substantial value. Although the purchase price of the land was not disclosed, Ashley tends to buy land that is significantly below replacement cost.
Ashley Capital has been an active player in the Detroit market in recent months. In January, the company acquired 57 acres of land at the intersection of I-94 and Route 23 in Ann Arbor, to create the Ann Arbor Business Center. Plans include 585,000 sf of warehouse and distribution space with construction set to begin in the spring of 2007. In November of last year, the company started construction on a 628,000-sf warehouse/distribution center at the Logistics Optimization Center in Lansing.
Meanwhile, earlier this month Ashley Capital and JPMorgan Chase closed on a $25-million line of credit secured by three assets in Ashley’s portfolio. The properties are located in Atlanta, Georgia and Norfolk, VA. Three years in term, the loan is a revolving line with interest accruing on a floating rate basis. The loan gives Ashley the flexibility to finance both acquisition and development projects in new and existing markets.
May 23rd, 2006
By: Furniture World Magazine
Box Props the maker of electronic props for the home furnishings industry announced that they plan to kick off a 25th anniversary celebration at the upcoming Las Vegas furniture show.
Speaking of the anniversary, the president of Box Props, Cindy Hallett noted, “We have new prop introductions, 25th Anniversary savings and a special anniversary gift for placing an order at market during our celebration at the upcoming furniture show in Las Vegas.”
About Box Props: In 1981 while enjoying a backyard barbeque, the imaginative minds of Lou Oates, Mike Oates and Tim Oates created the concept of electronic props made of cardboard.
The original prop conceived by the Oates brothers was a combination 16” TV on one side and a microwave oven on the other. This dual-purpose prop led the way to a complete line of props including a turntable, 8-track tape player, AM-FM radio and an electronic typewriter. Initially each different prop design boasted hand-sketched details from a local Chicago artist. Later the brothers introduced photographic reproductions of real electronics to give a more life-like realism to each prop. The Oates brothers owned Box Props for a decade and then sold it to John Bull in July 1991.
John Bull, new to the furniture industry, saw a unique idea and took the concept a step further. He pioneered the way to full color screen images that emulate real televisions as displayed throughout electronic stores. Bull continued to expand the prop line that included several different sizes of TVs, computers, a laptop and VHS, CD & DVD jackets.
During the time that Bull owned Box Props, he established a strong, consistent presence at all industry furniture markets in the US & Canada. This opened the door to Box Props being exported around the world and an opportunity for the customizing props. In 2002, Bull sold Box Props to a long-term employee and his business manager, Cindy Hallett.
Box Props currently has 11 different styles of televisions, most of which are now made in the high definition 16:9 screen ratio.
Box Props also offers three different computer collections as well as a complete line of stereo components, speakers, jackets and books. Special anniversary savings are being offered at each furniture market this year.
Box Props showrooms are located at World Market Center 639 in Las Vegas, Tupelo Building I in Tupelo and the Radisson Alcoves in High Point.
May 23rd, 2006
TORRANCE, Calif.,
(PRIMEZONE) — In September 2005, the award-winning ZUMA(r) and ZUMAfrd(tm) product lines by Virco (AMEX:VIR) became the first classroom furniture collections to earn GREENGUARD(r) indoor air quality certification for children and schools.
Now, hundreds of additional Virco classroom furniture models have been certified according to the same stringent Greenguard standard. In fact, the total number of Virco products that are now Greenguard-certified accounted for over 75% of the company’s sales volume in 2005.
No other manufacturer’s classroom furniture products have been certified according to Greenguard’s indoor air quality standard for children and schools.
Among Virco’s most recent Greenguard-certified products are all of its popular 9000 Series classroom furniture items, as well as all Virco student desks and 4000 Series activity tables. Additionally, all models from Virco’s 3000 and 3300 Series Martest(r) hard plastic product collection have earned Greenguard certification, as have its ergonomically contoured I.Q.(r) Series chairs and desks.
Other Greenguard-certified Virco products include all 2000 Series classroom furniture models, all Virco mobile tables, all 8700 Series activity/computer tables, all 120 and 121 Series stools, all 6000 Series folding tables, all 6800 and 7900 Series tables, all cafe tops & bases, all standard folding chairs and a variety of Virco plastic stack chairs.
To view Virco’s great selection of Greenguard-certified products online, visit www.greenguard.org and click on the Find Products link. For more information about Virco, visit www.virco.com.
The Virco Inc. company logo is available at http://media.primezone.com/prs/single/?pkgid=521
May 23rd, 2006
By Quad-City Times
Q: Where is Aaron Brown now that he is no longer broadcasting on CNN?
— Marilyn, East Moline
A: Aaron Brown left CNN, where he anchored a news program called “Newsnight,” in October 2005. The show, which suffered from lagging ratings, was replaced by “Anderson Cooper 360,” anchored by the younger, up and coming Anderson Cooper. We couldn’t determine where Brown is now, but according to a poll on his fan club Web site (http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/aaronbrown/) his admirers expected him to go to MSNBC. “I know as much as you and the members about Aaron since leaving CNN,” said the fan club’s founder, Georgette Kostopoulos of Red Hook, N.Y. “We catch up with the latest on him from articles we read online. Right now, from what we know, Aaron is relaxing and taking a well-deserved time off with his family and doing lots of speeches on the road.”
Q: About a month ago you had a story in the Sunday paper about a business that goes into buildings and homes that are marked for demolition and salvages any reusable materials. You gave an address where these materials were resold. Could you please give me that address? I am wanting to replace doors and fixtures with materials from the original period.
— Andrea, Quad-Cities
A: Habitat ReStore, a nonprofit business at 3629 Mississippi Ave., Davenport, collects and sells new or gently used building materials at a discount. In this way, material is diverted from landfills and money is raised for Habitat for Humanity Quad-Cities, an ecumenical housing group.
Q: I have a patio set that includes six spring chairs with mesh fabric. The mesh fabric has deteriorated due to sun and weather exposure, and I would like to have the fabric replaced. I have contacted K & K Hardware in Bettendorf, Seasonal Concepts in Davenport and several upholstery shops but can find no one that does repairs on these type of chairs. The frames are in excellent condition, I just need the fabric to be replaced. Have you heard of any person or business that can perform that service?
— Joyce, Quad-Cities
A: It sounds like you have tried all of the obvious places. Perhaps some readers or business owners will have some suggestions.
— David Heitz
May 23rd, 2006
By: Furniture World Magazine
How do you make 11 million kids “beary” happy to make their own beds, while also tapping into a $176 billion market? Pulaski Furniture Corporation, one of the nation’s top 30 furniture manufacturers, is taking a major step toward finding out.
Earlier in May, Pulaski announced that Maria Bailey, a nationally recognized author and expert on marketing to moms, had come aboard as special counsel to Pulaski in the development of the new Build-A-Bear Workshop® Home™ brand.
This week, working with Bailey and her firm’s BSM Mom’s MindPool database, Pulaski is sending special online invitations to more than 50,000 moms across the country, to encourage them to help their kids enter a kids furniture design contest. The contest is open to any child age 12 and under and has been posted on more than 300 Web sites for moms as well as a variety of contest sites. The contest asks kids to submit 500-word descriptions of their dream furniture as well as hand-drawn and hand-colored artwork. Entries will be judged on creativity, descriptive detail and originality by a panel appointed by Pulaski. Entries also will be judged in age categories, including: six and under; seven through nine; and 10 through 12 years of age.
The contest is part of a national campaign to identify young designers to help in the development of the new Build-A-Bear Workshop® Home™ collection, which will be the nation’s first line of furniture, as well as a full complement of home items, that is designed by kids for kids. The contest runs from May 15 – July 15, 2006, and winners of the contest will have a chance to win a $1,000 U.S. Savings Bond as well as become a member of Pulaski’s Build-A-Bear Workshop® Home™ collection Cub Advisory Board.
Expected to debut later this year, the collection’s initial design team was made up of kids as well as Pulaski designers who met in April at Build-A-Bear Workshop® headquarters in St. Louis for a two-day brainstorming session.
In addition to being designed by kids for kids, plans for the new youth collection call for kids’ personalization of both their furniture selection and the shopping experience through interactive kiosks located at Build-A-Bear Workshop® stores as well as furniture retailers. Each touch point will use the same colorful, kid-friendly language and activities which add so much to the Build-A-Bear Workshop® experience.
About Build-A-Bear Workshop®*:
Build-A-Bear Workshop®, Inc. is the only global company that offers an interactive make-your-own-stuffed animal retail-entertainment experience. Founded in St. Louis in 1997, the company currently operates more than 200 stores in the United States and Canada. The addition of franchise stores in Europe, Asia and Australia make Build-A-Bear Workshop® the leader in interactive retail. In November 2004, the company expanded its concept from stuffed animals to dolls with the opening of its first friends 2B made® stores, in which Guests can make their own dolls. Build-A-Bear Workshop® (NYSE: BBW) posted total revenue of $302 million in fiscal 2004. For more information, call 888.560.BEAR (2327) or visit the company’s award-winning Web sites at www.buildabear.com and www.friends2Bmade.com.
Pulaski Furniture Corporation
In an industry where timing is key, and riding a new trend can tip the scales of success and failure, Pulaski Furniture Corporation stays light years ahead the old fashioned way – by listening and responding to the recommendations of its consumers. Founded half a century ago in Pulaski, Virginia, the company adopted the name of the town as its own and was originally established as a maker of bedroom and dining room furniture. From that point on, Pulaski rapidly carved out a niche for itself by becoming a leader in the production of curio cabinets, home accents and branded furniture collections.
Today, Pulaski Furniture Corporation is one of the top 30 furniture companies serving independent furniture retailers, regional chains, national chains, department stores and catalog merchants throughout the United States. The company is known for leadership in design, progressive marketing and expertise in global sourcing. It is further distinguished by patent-pending technology that includes the newly introduced Insight Lighting System™ by Pulaski Furniture Corporation, the patented “Herculock™” bed system (US Patent #6679645) and two-way sliding curio doors (US Patent #6793298).
Pulaski continues to build its portfolio of licensed and proprietary brands. In addition to the debut of the new Build-A-Bear Workshop® Home™ collection, the company manufactures the Keepsakes® brand of curios, and Casa Cristina™ and Antiques Roadshow™ branded furniture collections.
Antiques Roadshow™ is a trademark of the BBC and is produced under license from BBC Worldwide for PBS® by WGBH/Boston.
May 23rd, 2006
Marge Colborn / Detroit News Design Editor
Timing is everything, and Allstate Billiards and Patio Furniture opens its new Birmingham showroom at 690 S. Woodward Ave. just in time for you to furnish your outdoor space.
The 7,000-square-foot showroom features upscale furniture by Lloyd/Flanders, Whitecraft, Brown and Jordan and Tropitone (shown here) as well as Napoleon Gas Grills and outdoor rugs and lamps.
The retailer now has five Metro Detroit stores, including other locations in Detroit, Novi, Bloomfield Hills and Ann Arbor. For more information, go to www.shopallstate.com.
May 23rd, 2006
By: Furniture World Magazine
A partnership of 25 organizations created a highly successful, star-studded evening entertainment series at the April 2006 High Point Market. Nightly “Stars Under The Stars” concerts provided a fun and exciting setting where attendees enjoyed world-class musicians, free food and beverages, beautiful spring evenings, and the company of their colleagues.
Featured artists included Grammy Award winners Bruce Hornsby and Delbert McClinton; the high-energy dance band The Cookie Band; and internationally recognized Grand Ole Opry performers The Carter Brothers.
“With its eclectic mix of musical styles, ‘Stars Under The Stars’ was great fun for everyone,” said Brian Casey, president of the High Point Market Authority. “The food was fantastic, and the opportunity to catch up with old friends and meet new people made it a perfect way to wind up a productive business day for the market attendees.”
“Leading organizations from across the industry pooled resources to make the Spring 2006 Market one of our most enjoyable ever. In addition to the Market Authority, our sponsors included 200 Steele, C & D, Craven Signs, Furniture Today, Hamilton Square, Centennial Center, Independence Hall, The Mill on Centennial, Centennial Station, the Hamilton Wrenn Design District Association, the City of High Point, the High Point Convention and Visitors Bureau, IHFC, InFurniture, Market Square, MGM, Natuzzi, Palliser/220 Elm, Showplace, Time Warner Cable, Tribuzio Studios, Home Décor, Moes Home Collection, and Picture Galleries. We’d like to thank all of our sponsors for demonstrating the spirit that makes the High Point Market the driving force of the home furnishings industry. As we move into the future, these kinds of partnerships will be key to realizing our vision of creating an ever-improving experience for Market attendees.”
About High Point Market Authority: The High Point Market Authority is the official sponsor of the International Home Furnishings Market, in High Point, North Carolina. Featuring more than 2600 exhibitors and attracting tens of thousands of visitors from more than 110 countries, the High Point Market is a driving force in the home furnishings industry.
May 23rd, 2006