Archive for October, 2006
BARRINGTON, Ill. — Designs of the Interior, or DOTI, has hired Cliff Oxford as vice president of
stores for the design services franchise retailer, which is eyeing continued growth.
In the new post, Oxford is responsible for overseeing DOTI’s retail efforts in product development, store planning, personnel and business development, as well as maintaining relationships with DOTI’s 200-plus suppliers of furniture, accents and other home furnishings products.
He will be based in Tampa, Fla., and work closely with franchisees to ensure implementation of DOTI’s business model.
Oxford previously was managing partner of Oxford Contract & Design, which designed and sourced product for retailers. He also has held management posts at LifeStyle Furnishings International, Maitland-Smith and Lowe’s Home Improvement Centers.
Meanwhile, Frank Goldoni, formerly DOTI’s vice president of franchising, has been named vice president of operations and will continue to assist current and future DOTI store owners while focusing more on operations, the company said.
DOTI has 26 primarily franchised
October 31st, 2006
NEWTON, N.C. — Upholstery and occasional manufacturer McCreary Modern, based here,
has purchased a 137,000-square-foot facility in nearby Lenoir that earlier was owned by wood producer Kincaid Furniture.
CEO Bob McCreary said the acquisition was necessary to help service a growing customer base.
The new facility, which brings the company’s manufacturing and warehousing space to over 1 million square feet, is expected to come online in the first quarter of 2007.
The Lenoir plant will focus on making exposed-wood component parts and assembling exposed-wood frames, said President Rick Coffey. “Purchasing an existing building will allow us to quickly relocate our existing woodworking operations,” he said.
This is the second expansion for McCreary Modern in the past three years. Earlier, the company bought a 317,000-square-foot facility formerly operated by Regency Home Fashions in nearby Conover, nearly doubling its space at the time.
The company now has six manufacturing and warehousing facilities in North Carolina, in Newton, Conover, Maiden and Lenoir.
October 31st, 2006
ATLANTA — Aaron Rents’ third-quarter profit jumped 97%, helped in part by hurricane-slammed results last year.
The nation’s second largest rent-to-own operator posted net earnings of $17.4 million for the quarter ended Sept. 30, up from $8.8 million in the same period in 2005. Earning per share grew to 32 cents from 17 cents.
Revenues grew 14% to $317.7 million. Same-store revenues grew 6.9% at company-owned stores and 12.7% for franchise stores.
Aaron’s ended the period with 1,202 company-owned and franchised Aaron’s Sales & Lease Ownership stores, 59 rent-to-rent corporate furnishings stores and 12 Rimco tire rim specialty stores.
For the first nine months, Aaron’s net earnings grew 37% to $59.6 million while revenues increased 19% to $986.7 million.
Both the quarter and nine-months results compared to periods last year that were hurt by loss of goods, store damage and other costs resulting from hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the company said.
For the fourth quarter, Aaron’s projects revenues of more than $335 million and earnings of 32 to 36 cents per share, compared with $296.2 million in revenues and 29 cents per share in the fourth quarter of 2005.
In a conference call with analysts, Chairman and CEO Charlie Loudermilk said Aaron’s should benefit from several factors outside the company’s control — falling gas prices, Wal-Mart’s recent elimination of its layaway program, and competitor Rent-A-Center’s planned acquisition of Rent-Way, which should drive some business to Aaron’s stores as Rent-A-Center tries to convert Rent-Way’s customer base.
“Our rapid store expansion continues as planned and we are on track to add approximately 350 stores, a combination of company-operated and franchised stores, over the 18-month period ending on Dec. 31, 2007,” Loudermilk said in a statement.
In the first three quarters of this year, Aaron’s opened 38 company-owned and 42 franchised Sales & Lease Ownership stores. It also opened four Rimco stores, and acquired 22 franchises from existing dealers and seven independent RTO stores. It expects to add 70 more stores in the fourth quarter to end the year with about 1,350 units.
October 31st, 2006
Furniture Today,
THOMASVILLE, N.C. – Lexington Home Brands has hired Katrina Patton as vice president of
product development and Robert Sitler as vice president of global sourcing, a new position.
Patton most recently worked for Sauder Woodworking as vice president of merchandising for the Royal Patina/Progressive divisions. She replaces Todd Banik, who left Lexington. Before joining Sauder, Patton held executive posts at Michael Thomas and American Drew. She began her career by working and training with her father, furniture designer Jim Peed.
Sitler had been with Stanley Furniture since 1985, most recently as senior vice president of global sourcing. At Lexington, he will oversee the company’s global sourcing team as well as global manufacturing and the selection of source factories. Charles Aurich, director of international operations, and Jeff Hunt, manager of international sourcing, are part of the global sourcing team.
Lexington, an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners, has made several personnel moves this fall including hiring former Stanley executive Phil Haney as president and CEO, replacing Bob Stec.
“Katrina Patton brings to Lexington Home Brands a passion for great product that is in sync with our new direction,” said Haney. “Together with our product design and engineering team, along with our global sourcing initiative led by Bob Sitler, we expect to aggressively develop and launch an array of exciting new products in our existing licensed brands and in our newly revitalized Lexington Home Brands category.”
October 31st, 2006
Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture has donated 200 flashlights to the Dr. Joseph A. Whelan School in
North Providence, RI, which will be given out to each elementary school student at the end of National Safety Week to use when they go out trick or treating on Halloween.
Each year, the school covers several important safety topics during the week before Halloween. This year, bicycle safety, safety around strange animals, and wearing seat belts will be among the topics covered. At the beginning of the safety week, there is a family costume dance during which the basics of staying safe on Halloween are emphasized, including the necessity of walking through the streets with a light. The students will get their Bernie & Phyl’s mini flashlights at the end of the week so that they will have them for Halloween night.
“We are happy to donate the flashlights so that these children can carry them to keep safe when they go out trick or treating,” said Bernie Rubin, co-founder and chairman of Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture.
“We are very grateful to Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture for donating these flashlights,” said Deana Moore, the President of the Whelan School PTO. “This year, we will not only explain how to stay safe, but also give our kids something to help keep them safe on Halloween night.”
Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture is the largest independent furniture retailer in Massachusetts. In 2004, Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture received the prestigious Better Business Bureau Local Torch Award for Excellence, which is given to companies that embody the highest ethical standards. In 2002, the company was named “Retailer of the Year” by the National Home Furnishings Association.
Based in Norton, MA, Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture has six stores in New England: Braintree (50,000 s/f); Nashua, NH (86,000 s/f); Raynham, MA (55,000 s/f); Saugus, MA (50,000 s/f); Westboro, MA (42,000 s/f); and Weymouth, MA (Bedding and Clearance Center).
October 31st, 2006
By: Furniture World Magazine
Mattress Firm, one of the nation’s leading specialty mattress retailers, announced that
Michael Wentworth has been promoted to the position of operations manager for the Kansas City region.
Wentworth has been an integral part of Mattress Firm’s growth for several years. Joining the company in 2003 as a general warehouse clerk, Wentworth quickly moved into the position of assistant operations manager for the Kansas City region. In April of 2005, Wentworth was again promoted to the position of operations manager for the Columbus market. While serving as operations manager in Columbus, he was responsible for staff management and increasing efficiency and productivity within the distribution center.
With this latest promotion, Wentworth will be responsible for maximizing distribution productivity for the Kansas City market to ensure customer satisfaction and market success and growth. Additionally, Wentworth will be responsible for the management and development of operation’s staff.
“Michael has clearly demonstrated his ability to succeed at Mattress Firm,” said Chris Maloy, Mattress Firm regional operations manager. “We are certain under his leadership that the Kansas City operations team will continue to assist the market in raising the bar and achieving unparalleled success.”
About Mattress Firm
Houston-based Mattress Firm (www.mattressfirm.com), an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners, Inc., is America’s preferred specialty mattress company and the nation’s largest specialty retailer of top-of-the-line Sealy products. Founded in 1986, Mattress Firm’s knowledgeable sales staff, broad product offering and competitive prices have fueled the company’s growth to more than 340 stores in 32 markets.
About Sun Capital Partners, Inc.
Sun Capital Partners, Inc. is a leading private investment firm focused on leveraged buyouts, equity, debt, and other investments in market-leading companies that can benefit from its in-house operating professionals and experience. Sun Capital affiliates have invested in and managed more than 115 companies worldwide with combined sales in excess of $30.0 billion since Sun Capital’s inception in 1995. Sun Capital has offices in Boca Raton, Los Angeles, New York, London, and Shenzhen.
October 31st, 2006
By: Furniture World Magazine
Mr. J. Thomas Gooding, Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Bernice Bienenstock
Furniture Library announced that four new directors have been added to the Board.
“We are pleased to have four outstanding leaders join the Board; Mark Estepp, Tim McGee, Amy Kyle and Naaman Wei. Each of these are well respected for their contributions to the home furnishings industry and we are fortunate to have their participation, insights, and vision for the future of the Bernice Bienenstock Furniture Library”.
Dr. J. Mark Estepp of Appalachian State University. Dr. Estepp is Professor and Dean of the College of Fine and Applied Arts at Appalachian State University.
One of the eight departments within the College of Fine and Applied Arts is the Technology Department, which is responsible for the Furniture Design and Interior Design Programs.
“ASU has produced a significant number of leaders in the furniture industry and Mark Estepp is regularly in touch with his furniture alumni to understand their needs in our ever-changing industry. In that regard, ASU, under Estepp’s leadership, is looking at enhancing their Furniture Design curriculum with an ever greater emphasis on design and product development”.
Mr. Tim McGee is Vice-President of Leasing for Showplace, as well as, overseeing the leasing efforts of showroom facilities at 200 Hamilton, 320 Hamilton, 330 Hamilton and 110 South Main Street (the future Showplace West).
Amy Kyle is the publisher of Home Furnishings Business Magazine, the business and strategy magazine for furniture retailers. She is a native of High Point and graduated with a BS in Business Administration from High Point University and a MBA from Wake Forest University.
Mr. Naaman Wei is the comptroller of Huntington Furniture Industries. Huntington Furniture is a two-year-old company, first entering the market as a case goods manufacturer. At the upcoming October Market Huntington will be introducing their first upholstered furniture. Naaman previously lived in Houston, Texas where he was comptroller of Huntington’s Lamp Division. He is married and has two children.
The Bernice Bienenstock Furniture Library, located at 1009 North Main Street, is a research resource for furniture manufacturers, furniture designers, interior designers, students, and to anyone interested in the history of furniture. The Library was founded by FURNITURE WORLD Magazine and it’s publisher Nathan “Sandy” Bienenstock, publisher. The Library is a non-profit educational foundation and houses one of the most comprehensive collections of volumes on the history of furniture. The collection encompasses significant volumes published since 1640 and includes a complete collection of original works of 18th century furniture masters Chippendale, Sheraton and Hepplewhite. The Library also has current publications for sale to the public. In addition to the research collection and the sale of publications, the Library’s scholarship program has provided over $190,000.00 in grants to students studying pursuing degrees in furniture related programs.
October 31st, 2006
Home Accents Today,
7 W New York has added eight new tenants in time for the New York Tabletop Week, Oct. 28-Nov. 1.
“These very unique domestic and international resources define the diverse array of products that make 7 W New York such a tremendous building to shop for our everyday and show attendees,” said Chris Collins, vice president and general manager, 7 W New York. “Many of these companies cannot be found at other locations around the country, and that is what makes 7 W New York so different and so rewarding to our buyers.”
The new companies are:
* Designers Guild Bed & Bath: Offering a wide variety of home and lifestyle products, including textiles and linens for bed and bath as well as leather accessories.
* Fiorentina: Featuring sophisticated Italian leather products handcrafted in Tuscany and Umbria. The company will showcase both Old World and contemporary designs in Italian leather and will offer CIAK, Mood, In Tempo and Officina Libris lines.
* Targa Italia: Offering contemporary leather furniture.
* Fornasetti by Luciano Marcato: The Fornasetti suite will offer upholstery fabrics, curtains, pillows, lamps, umbrellas, chairs and bedding.
* Monaco: Offering a unique assortment of leather upholstered furniture and leather rugs, all in trendsetting Italian designs.
* Precidio: Products include tabletop, housewares and giftware. Three of the company’s signature lines include Precidio Objects, Table Top Tales and Precidio Kitchen.
* Ultimate Homeware: This new domestic trading company is a division of Jolie King Enterprise Trading Company. The company specializes in seasonal and tabletop houseware items.
* Ultimate Products, USA: British tabletop giant is offering an extensive line of housewares and tabletop. Lines include the upscale Inspire brand and the Imaje label as well as the Royal Doulton license.
For a complete schedule of events, visit www.7wnewyork.com or call 212-279-6063. 7 W New York also is open daily, Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
October 31st, 2006
CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. (PR) — Ikea said it will build a 1 million-square-foot distribution center in Pierce County, WA.
The facility will allow Ikea to receive goods at the Port of Tacoma, to manage its inventory and to distribute product to stores throughout North America, with a focus on Ikea stores in the Pacific Northwest.
The first phase of the project consists of an 834,000 square-foot facility to be operational by Spring 2008, with a potential future expansion of almost 220,000 square feet after the initial building is up and running. About 150 jobs will be created at the facility.
October 31st, 2006
NEWARK, N.J. – High-end bedding maker Shifman Mattress worked with upscale
department store Bloomingdale’s to create a luxury bedding line it says takes comfort into the clouds.
“When you go to bed at night, what is the actual size of the cloud you sleep on?” a point-of-purchase sales bro-chure asks. The new Beau Reve line, sold only at Bloomingdale’s, will retail on sale for $7,999 in queen and $8,999 in king.
And this “cloud,” unlike many others in the market, can be turned. Shifman defends the two-sided design by saying, “Flipping and rotating your mattress and pillowtop every six months dramatically extends the life of the bed. Flipping is good. Don’t let anybody tell you any differently.”
Bill Hammer, Shifman’s vice president, calls Beau Reve “the most luxurious mattress we have ever made.”
Shifman officials are positioning the sleep set, packed with luxurious filling and comfort materials throughout its 22-inch depth, as offering a “plush cloud of natural ingredients.”
Like all Shifman products, it is hand made in the company’s recently expanded facilities here, where time-tested but now largely abandoned bedding techniques such as hand-tufting and eight-way hand-tied boxsprings are still employed.
The Beau Reve pillowtop models and others in the collection are all two-sided and are offered in three firmnesses: firm, plush and ultra-plush. The line includes a dual-comfort king option, which features zippered mattresses under one king-size independent pillowtop. That option offers a different sleeping solution for consumers who have different comfort preferences. The dual comfort king retails for $9,499.
Shifman officials said the new line represents “the strongest premium mattress program in the country.”
They defend that lofty claim by making these points about the new line:
* It takes 23 people more than 12 hours to make the Beau Reve pillowtop, mattress and boxspring.
* The 5-inch-deep independent pillowtop is filled with cashmere, silk, wool and body-conforming natural latex foam.
* The 9-inch-deep mattress is “excessively cushioned” with high-grade cotton. “We love the virtues of cotton so much,” Shifman says, “we make our own soft cotton felt. Cool in summer, warm in winter, breathable and long-lasting, it may be the perfect upholstery material.”
* Designed for premium bedding, the Holland Maid Free-End Offset innerspring system features alternating turn construction to produce “a distinctive, luxurious feel unique to innerspring technology.”
* The mattress is hand tufted, a Shifman hallmark, to prevent the cushioning materials from shifting or bunching. By sewing the mattress from top to bottom, the producer says it locks the cushioning materials into place.
* Titanium edge-guards in the mattress and cross-supports in the boxspring provide additional strength.
* The mattresses rest on an 8-inch-deep boxspring that has been hand crafted from eastern Canadian spruce. Inside each boxspring are upholstery-grade hourglass-shaped coils that independently absorb the body’s weight and contours. Those coils are hand-tied with Italian twine to keep them in place.
The Beau Reve is being shown in most Bloomie’s stores, with one king-size set and one king-size dual comfort set. Bloomingdale’s is part of Federated Department Stores.
October 31st, 2006
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