Archive for April, 2007
Someone’s really got it in for the furniture at the Surgery Center of Oklahoma.
For years, the culprit has been slashing at cushions and arm rests at the center. But now he seems to have made a crucial mistake: His last attack was caught on tape.
Dr. Steve Lantier says the so-called “furniture slasher” started his rampage four years ago.
“We would go into our lobby or consultation rooms and see several pieces of furniture slashed and had no idea who was doing it or why,” Lantier said. “After the fifth time, we decided to put cameras in our consultation room.”
A staff member told police the suspect has caused thousands of dollars worth of damage to the center’s furniture, according to an Oklahoma City Police Department police report.
On April 16, staff at the surgery center again found sliced-up furniture in a waiting room. They checked the surveillance video, which showed “a gentleman slashing our furniture,” possibly with a carpet knife, Lantier said. They called police the next day.
The investigation is ongoing, but Lantier said they may have identified the suspect. After two local news stations showed the video footage, “someone turned him in,” he said.
“We found out he was a patient here four years ago, and he was angry about his bill,” Lantier said. “That’s when the slashings began.”
“We believe he did all of them, but we don’t have complete proof of that yet,” he said.
The Stupid Story of the Week is reported by Tracy Majka.
April 30th, 2007
Furniture Brands International Inc. said Friday that it plans to eliminate about 330 employees companywide,
which it predicts will save it about $13 million annually. Four executive- and administrative-level jobs are being cut in St. Louis.
Marty Richmond, manger of corporate communications for Furniture Brands, confirmed the local layoffs but declined to specify which positions were eliminated. “There are two sides of the business — the manufacturing work force and nonmanufacturing work force — and this was a reduction of both, and we made decisions based on the rest of the business,” he said.
When asked whether more layoffs should be expected, Richmond said, “The company will always keep an eye on its costs.”
The cuts include:
• 80 executive and administrative employees across the company.
• The closure of three Thomasville Furniture Industries manufacturing facilities in North Carolina, resulting in the elimination of about 150 employees.
• The elimination of about 100 employees related to ongoing manufacturing operations across the company.
In a release, the company said the eliminated executive and administrative positions represent about 5 percent of the company’s nonmanufacturing work force.
Under the plan, Thomasville will consolidate its 325,000-square-foot case goods operation in Thomasville, N.C., into its Lenoir, N.C., case goods plant. The closing plant, which employs 100 people, will cease manufacturing operations in July.
The unit will also consolidate two upholstery plant operations in Troutman, N.C., into its Hickory, N.C., upholstery plant. Together, the two closing plants employ about 200 people. One of the closing plants, known as Plant 3, is a 160,000-square-foot facility, and the other one, known as Plant 4, is a 79,000-square-foot facility. Plant 3 will cease manufacturing operations in July, and Plant 4 will do so in August.
According to the release, the company expects about half of the positions in the facilities slated for closure to be transferred to other Thomasville manufacturing facilities.
Company officials said they expect the restructuring, asset impairment and severance charges associated with the impending closures to total about $4 million, which will be spread evenly over the second and third quarters, according to the release.
In a statement, Chairman and Chief Executive W.G. “Mickey” Holliman said: “We are obligated to bring our costs in line with revenues to drive better earnings performance at Furniture Brands. We regret the hardship this will cause the affected employees and we appreciate the dedicated and energetic service these employees have shown the company.”
In December, Furniture Brands’ Broyhill Furniture Industries subsidiary announced plans to close its case goods manufacturing facility in Lenoir in February. That plant employed about 390 people.
The Broyhill unit closed another Lenoir case goods facility in mid-2006, citing increased competition from low-cost imports.
The company plans to release its first-quarter earnings report next week, according to Holliman.
St. Louis-based Furniture Brands International Inc. (NYSE: FBN) manufactures furniture under the Thomasville, Henredon, Drexel Heritage, Maitland-Smith, Broyhill and Lane brands.
Published April 27, 2007 by the St. Louis Business Journal
April 30th, 2007
THOMASVILLE, N.C. — Furniture Brands International Inc. said it will close three North Carolina plants and cut
330 jobs as it continues to move production to lower-cost factories offshore.
Furniture Brands said it will shut down production at a facility in Thomasville and two plants in Troutman. The three factories together employ about 300 people, and about half of them will transfer to other facilities, the company said.
The company also said it will eliminate 80 executive and administrative jobs and an additional 100 manufacturing employees across the entire company.
Furniture Brands is the parent company of Lane Furniture Industries, which employs about 3,500 workers at eight plants in northeast Mississippi. Sixty workers with Lane Furniture are among the layoffs, officials said.
“We are obligated to bring our costs in line with revenues to drive better earnings performance at Furniture Brands,” said Mickey Holliman, the chairman of Furniture Brands. Furniture makers have been struggling to compete with cheaper Asian manufacturers.
The St. Louis-based company estimated that the restructuring would provide annual savings of about $13 million. Furniture Brands will take a $4 million restructuring charge, divided over the second and third quarters.
Furniture Brands plans to close all three facilities by August. The company will have closed 36 of 57 domestic plants since January 2001.
April 30th, 2007
Daily Journal
More than 900 people crowded into the Tupelo Furniture Market on Thursday. They were gathered at the
Mississippi Complex Building B for the CDF annual banquet, enjoying the festivities, sharing stories and networking.
It’s a scene reminiscent of the first furniture market I attended here nearly three years ago, when buyers and retailers crowded the hallways and showrooms in similar fashion
But those days have been scarce the past few markets. The opening and expansion of the Las Vegas Market and the downturn in furniture retailing has taken its toll on Tupelo.
Are there solutions to bring the people back? Yes and no.
There’s not a lot anybody can do about what’s happening on the retail level. With gas prices going back up and more ways for people to spend their disposable income, furniture buying will continue to be hit-and-miss.
Buying a bedroom or living room suite isn’t something you do every week. It’s one of those high-dollar purchases akin to buying a car or home -not that it’s that expensive, but you get the picture. Some folks would rather by a $1,500 LCD HDTV than spend it on a dining table.
That pullback in spending affects how retailers and buyers will do business at the furniture market, whether it’s in Tupelo, High Point or Las Vegas.
But one thing is clear - Tupelo has to get back to its roots. And that’s letting people know that they’ll find value in the products they find here. We’re not flashy like Vegas, nor do we have most of the higher-end goods at High Point. We are what we are - the upholstered furniture capital of the country.
Certainly, there is room for some mid- to high-end manufacturers to show their products here. And some have done well. But the bread-and-butter industry has been the promotional products. It’s the “value-added” goods that retailers and buyers are looking for, too. Give them something to sell to their customers.
Tupelo Furniture Market officials know this. It’s why they’ve pushed the “Tupelo-only Special” the last few markets. It’s worked to some extent. Continue to push it - hard.
Last market, officials gave away a Hummer to draw interest to the changed date of the market. Maybe this upcoming market they’ll give away a Toyota Highlander or two instead. Perhaps some cash giveaways, gift certificates, flat-screen TVs, too.
Most importantly, the market needs to focus on recruiting - and retaining - the buyers, retailers and exhibitors who are the lifeblood of the market.
Keep wooing them with free meals, free entertainment, free shuttle service. Offer free or discounted rooms. Offer retailers opportunities to attend workshops that offer business advice. We have to keep the hospitalities and the great amenities flowing.
Will that bring people back? Maybe. But at least its worth a good hard try.
And the market must continue to work with the local lodging and restaurant industry - and vice versa - to ensure market visitors are treated as well as any tourist in town.
Because if we keep doing what we’ve been doing, then market attendance and interest will continue to decline.
And everybody loses.
Dennis Seid is business editor for the Daily Journal. Reach him at 678-1578 or dennis.seid@djournal.com.
Appeared originally in the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, 4/29/2007 6:00:00 AM, section F , page 1
April 30th, 2007
Williams-Sonoma Home’s first outdoor furniture collection doesn’t look like it belongs in the great
outdoors, but it’s nice to know it can stand up to the elements.
The luxurious weather-resistant Newport outdoor furniture collection is made from plantation-grown solid teak wood that develops a natural patina over time.
The seat cushions and pillows - in navy-and-khaki or chocolate-and-khaki stripes or chain-link print - and umbrella are covered in stain- and water-resistant Sunbury and Sunbrella fabrics.
The collection includes a low-slung arm chair, coffee table, sofa, chaise and dining table and chairs. $78-$2,000. Order at Williams-Sonoma Home at Kenwood Towne Centre or online at www.williamssonomahome.com.
April 30th, 2007
By TIFFANY WRIGHT
Calvin Cook is interested in two things.
One is being a member of a church, the other is owning a furniture store.
Cook has been in the furniture business for 10 years. He and his wife, Gail, own Cook’s Furniture and Bedding in the Georgian Place in Somerset.
Cook, 42, is a native of Fayette County, but spent most of his childhood in Somerset County.
He said he first took an interest in used furniture after going to numerous auctions.
“I first sold used furniture and would buy it all at auctions,” he said. “I used to fill my storage shed with furniture and would bring it out and have a yard sale.”
Cook said he would attend local auctions about three times a week looking for furniture.
Now he only sells new furniture at Cook’s Furniture and Bedding.
The store was located in the BiLo plaza but moved to the Georgian Place in March to generate more business with a larger facility, he said.
“The space is larger and there is more traffic here, so there are more sales,” he said.
“It’s off North Center Avenue and all the action is here,” Cook added. “It’s got good potential for any business.”
The store has more than 10,000 square feet of retail space, which is within two locations, he said. Cook’s Furniture and Bedding offers mattresses, dressers, couches, recliners, coffee tables and dining room tables.
“We have a full line of furniture,” he said. “Along with home decorated items … right now we’re even working on bringing new items in.”
All the furniture items are shipped directly from manufacturers, Cook said, even furniture as far away as China and Vietnam. He said he is in the business to try to find reasonably priced furniture.
“This is not a traditional furniture store where we work on mark-up,” he said. “We work with a lower profit margin.”
He said he does it for his customers.
“I want to be friendly with everybody and offer a good service,” Cook said. “I just want to treat people how I want to be treated.”
Like any businessman, Cook has goals for the foreseeable future, which include continuing to expand his business.
“I have a lot of plans,” he said. “I hope to expand to other locations. Maybe start a second or third store. Since I have family ties in Fayette (County), I’d like to start one there. Right now I can weigh my opportunities and choices. But I’m committed to staying here and offering reasonable furniture.”
Furniture business sales stay consistent throughout the year, he said, and the furniture that sells is determined by various customers.
He also takes pride in being a member of the United Methodist Church in Jennerstown.
“I have a deep faith, and I’m very active with the church,” Cook said. “Faith is even more important than business.”
(Tiffany Wright may be contacted at tiffanyw@dailyamerican.com.)
April 30th, 2007
Luxury consumers’ confidence rebounded in the first quarter of 2007, rising two points to reach 100.2, up
from its lowest level in 2006 at the close of the fourth quarter. This is good news for companies that market and sell luxuries, as well as for those who invest in these companies.
Renewed confidence in the first quarter encouraged affluent consumers to spend more buying luxury goods and services. Luxury consumers spent on average $14,024 on luxury goods and services, an increase of 8 percent over the average amount spent in the fourth quarter 2006. Increased spending on home luxuries, especially kitchen appliances and cookware, accounted for much of this quarter’s increase.
These findings are based upon Unity Marketing’s Luxury Tracking survey of 1,003 affluent consumers conducted at the close of the first quarter 2007 (average income $159,000 and average age 46.4 years).
Commenting on the first quarter results, Pam Danziger, president of Unity Marketing and author of Shopping: Why We Love It and How Retailers Can Create the Ultimate Shopping Experience says, “I advise my luxury clients to remain cautiously optimistic about the positive trend in the index and spending. The fact is luxury consumer confidence at the end of first quarter 2007 lags far behind where it was at the end of the first quarter last year, when it reached its historic high of 113.2 points.
“Corresponding with luxury consumers’ optimism last year, luxury consumers spent on average $14,800 in 1Q2006, which was 5.5 percent more than this year. By contrast, I would have expected luxury consumer spending to rise even higher this year, since the average income of our survey respondents was 9 percent greater in 1Q2007. So while there is a positive trend in affluent consumers’ confidence and spending, we still have a long way to go to get back to where we were in early 2006,” Danziger explains.
Commenting on the Luxury Consumption Index, Thomas Bodenberg, Unity Marketing’s economic forecaster, said, “Luxury consumers, who are the movers and shakers in our society, continue to be pessimistic about the financial direction of the country. Some 42 percent of affluent consumers feel the country is worse off now compared with three months ago. Only 13 percent feel the country is in a better position. At the same time, nearly 60 percent of luxury consumers feel their financial status will improve in the next twelve months, which gave a boost to this quarter’s Luxury Consumption Index.”
1Q2007 Special Investigation:
Luxury Consumers & the Loyalty Factor
This quarter’s special investigation was into the role of loyalty and reward programs and how much they influence luxury consumers in their brand choices and purchases. The research included whether or not the affluent consumers were members of the following:
Airline Frequent Flyer Program
Credit Card Rewards or Loyalty Program
Hotel Points Program
Retailers Rewards/Points Program
Nearly 80 percent of all affluent consumers surveyed — and an even higher percentage of the super-affluents with household incomes of $150,000 or more — were found to be members of one or more programs.
Members of each program were asked to what extent their membership influences the brand choices they make. The answers provide a powerful reason for luxury marketers in all sectors to evaluate a loyalty program for their best customers.
Not only do rewards and loyalty programs encourage the affluent to buy your brand again and again, members of loyalty programs also spent in excess of 50 percent more on luxury in the study period.
Another key finding from this research: Loyalty programs are even more influential among the young affluents — the emerging market of affluent consumers 40 years and younger. Membership-holding young affluents spent nearly twice as much as the over forty year old affluent consumers on luxuries in the study period.
To learn more about the young affluent generation and how they will impact the global luxury market, click here to receive a FREE copy of Pam Danziger’s presentation, The Ascent of the Young Affluents: The Future of the Global Luxury Market, given at the Global Luxury Forum, April 20, 2007 in London.
About Unity Marketing’s Luxury Consumer Tracking Study
These findings are based upon Unity Marketing’s quarterly luxury tracking study which surveyed 1,003 luxury consumers (average income $159,000 and age 46.4 years).
Every quarter Unity Marketing conducts a Luxury Consumer Tracking Study among 1,000+ luxury consumers. Year-end 2006 statistics compiled from the four 2006 tracking studies will be published in Unity Marketing’s Luxury Report 2007 - Who Buys Luxury, What They Buy, Why They Buy.
In the tracking study detail purchase information is collected on these categories of luxury:
Home Luxuries:
- Art, Wall Décor & Antiques
- Electronics and Photography, such as computers, televisions, home entertainment centers, cameras, PDAs, etc.
- Home Decorating Fabrics, Window & Wall Coverings
- Furniture, Lighting and Lamps, and/or Floor Coverings, including rugs
- Outdoor, Lawn, Patio & Garden Products, such as lawn furniture, patio accessories, plants, grills, etc.
- Kitchenware, Cookware & Housewares
- Kitchen Appliances and Bath & Building Products, such as cabinets, bathtubs, etc. for home remodeling
- Linens & Bedding
- Tabletop, Dinnerware, Flatware, Servingware, Decorative Accents
Personal Luxuries:
- Automobiles and/or recreational vehicles, such as boats, RVs, etc.
- Clothes & Fashion Apparel
- Fashion Accessories, such as handbags, wallets, suitcases, shoes, etc.
- Fragrance, Cosmetics and/or Beauty Products and Skin Care regimes
- Jewelry
-Watches
- Wine & Spirits
Experiential and Luxury Services:
- Travel and vacations
- Dining and restaurants
- Entertainment
- Personal and health services, such as beauty treatments, spa, massage and cosmetic procedures, health club, country club, etc.;
- Home services, such as landscape, housecleaning, home remodeling, home decorating, party planning and catering, etc.
- Luxury brands & magazines
Also included in the tracking study are measures of luxury brand awareness and usage as well as magazines luxury consumers purchase. This page provides a listing of brands.
Special Luxury Research: Luxury Consumers and the Loyalty Factor
Each quarter a topic of special interest to luxury marketers is researched. In the 1Q2007 study, luxury consumers and their use of membership loyalty and rewards programs were investigated.
How to Subscribe
This is a semi-custom research service with subscribers adding specific product categories and their brands and the brands of five key competitors to the survey. In addition, subscribers can add up to six personal questions to the survey through the year. Use this link for more information about subscribing to luxury tracking or call Pam Danziger at 717-336-1600.
April 30th, 2007
The RoomPlace at Harlem Furniture is opening a new store in Algonquin, Illinois at 2471 South Randall Road.
The new store will feature 31,000 square feet of showroom space. With three locations in metropolitan Chicago; 13 suburban locations; one in Merrillville, Indiana; and its most recent store in Mishawaka, Indiana, this will be the company’s 19th store.
Headquartered in Lombard, Illinois, The RoomPlace, since 1912, has focused on style, service and value — an ideal that still lives today in the company’s unique business model of “The more you buy, the more you save.”
Now considered an industry leader, The RoomPlace at Harlem Furniture was the first furniture retailer in Chicagoland to specialize in professionally designed room groups. Like its other successful locations, the new Algonquin showroom will feature complete living rooms, dining room, bedrooms, as well as bedding and accessories. The new store will also offer next day delivery.
Hours of operation are from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
April 30th, 2007
Leggett & Platt has announced the promotion of two senior level executives within their Bedding group.
Jeff Wood, currently President-Western Division, will take on increased responsibility in the newly created position of Vice President-Western Group, President-Western Division. Wood will oversee operations and sales of the Central and Southwestern Divisions in addition to his current responsibilities. Wood started with Leggett in 1979 and has held positions of increasing responsibility in sales and branch management. Wood also oversees bedding operations in Mexico.
Danny Lynch, currently President-Southern Division, has been named Vice President-Eastern Group, President-Southern Division. In this new position, Lynch will also have oversight of the Eastern and Northeastern Divisions in addition to his current responsibilities. Lynch has worked for Leggett since 1991 as a controller for the Steel and Bedding Groups. He was promoted to President of the Eastern Division in 1999 and transitioned to the Southern Division in 2001.
Leggett & Platt is a Fortune 500 diversified manufacturer that conceives, designs and produces a broad variety of engineered components and products that can be found virtually every home, office, retail store and automobile.
April 30th, 2007
Room & Board announced that a winner has been selected in their annual furniture design competition in
conjunction with the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD). Current MCAD senior Brian Lee triumphed over eight other entrants for the $1,500 cash prize with his design for the “Swivvie,” a multi-functional media storage cabinet with the potential to be manufactured from eco-friendly materials.
Additionally, his design will be considered for future implementation and production by the Room & Board design team. The award was presented yesterday at the 11th Annual MCAD Partnership and Scholarship Luncheon, held at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design in Minneapolis.
Since 2003, Room & Board has sponsored the MCAD design award to support and encourage the continuing education and development of talented young designers. The Stow, a media console whose design won this competition in the past, is in current production with Room & Board. Led by vendor resource manager Steve Freeman, a panel of Room & Board associates from the Design, Merchandising and Retail divisions judged this year’s competition. “This year’s focus was on creating multi-functional storage and office solutions from sustainable and eco-friendly new materials,” Freeman said. “It was great to see the students incorporate so many great new materials into their work!”
In addition to the $1,500 design prize, Room & Board has pledged $10,000 per year for the next three years to support a new Digital Fabrication Lab and has donated $5,000 to a Room & Board Scholarship Fund in 2007.
About Room & Board: Room & Board is a Minneapolis-based furniture retailer offering unique home furnishings that combine timeless design and exceptional quality. For more than 25 years, Room & Board professionals have helped people furnish their homes, translating their passion for well-designed home furnishings into outstanding value. Room & Board has stores in Minneapolis, Denver, Chicago, Orange County, San Francisco and New York, and makes its unique collection of home furnishings available nationally through Shop Room & Board From Home. For more information on Room & Board, visit www.roomandboard.com or call 800-486-6554 to order a catalog.
About Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD): The Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) has been creating art on the cutting edge for well over a century. Recognized nationally and internationally for its innovative approaches, it offers concentrations in advertising, animation, comic art, drawing, filmmaking, fine arts, graphic design, furniture design, illustration, interactive media, painting, photography, print paper book, and sculpture. MCAD is home to more than 750 students pursuing B.F.A., B.S. and M.F.A. degrees. It also offers continuing studies courses, online education and youth programs, as well as free exhibitions and lectures.
April 30th, 2007
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