Archive for July 19th, 2007
RELAXING in a backyard hammock is one of summer’s great pleasures, right up there with Wiffle ball and barbecuing. There is something inexplicably soothing about rocking gently above the ground while encompassed in a web of ropes.
The prospect of being cradled by stiff nylon straps doesn’t sound quite so appealing. But the Ting Sling, a new hammock made from seat belts, is more comfortable than it sounds — at least according to its designer, Inghua Ting.
“It doesn’t hug you like a string hammock — obviously, the seat belts don’t stretch,” said Ms. Ting, owner of a design firm in London that bears her name. “But it has the right degree of curve for your body.”
Environmental friendliness, rather than comfort, is actually the Ting Sling’s chief selling point. The hammock’s seat belts are all end of line — that is, they were made for vehicles that are either no longer in production or have changed their safety specifications. Ms. Ting, who founded her company in 2000 after graduating from the Royal College of Art in London, also uses such surplus seat belts to produce a popular line of handbags and satchels.
The idea for the Ting Sling occurred to Ms. Ting in summer 2005, while she was swinging in a hammock at a friend’s garden party. She realized that every hammock she had ever used was essentially the same, with crisscrossed ropes that form a diamond pattern.
Ms. Ting resolved to create a more eye-catching hammock, as well as one that would take advantage of her contacts among seat-belt manufacturers.
Weaving seat belts into a hammock was a bigger challenge than she initially anticipated, largely because of the straps’ lack of give. “We started by weaving the hammock completely flat,” she said. “But when we tried it out, we would tend to swing right out of it.”
For later prototypes, she and her design team used three-dimensional modeling software to pinpoint the ideal amount of curvature for the hammock’s center. They learned to place longer segments of seat belt toward the middle, as well as how best to stitch the straps to the hammock’s edges.
After working through nearly two dozen prototypes, Ms. Ting sent a final version to a testing laboratory in Scotland to make sure the hammock could support even the portliest of nappers. The lab reported that the hammock could withstand more than 550 pounds of iron weights; just to be safe, however, Ms. Ting does not recommend the product for people over 260 pounds.
The hammock’s parts come from 10 factories in Europe, including ones in Britain, Spain and Poland. The seat belts’ colors — and thus those of the Ting Slings — vary according to their original purpose. Ms. Ting says she has lately been receiving plenty of lime-green belts from a factory that had intended them for use in British ambulances. She also has a steady supply of bright orange belts, courtesy of a manufacturer that made them for tractors and other heavy-duty machines.
To further bolster the Ting Sling’s green credentials, Ms. Ting buys carbon offsets from Growaforest.com to make up for the energy consumed during production — specifically, the petroleum used to move the seat belts from the factories to London.
The Ting Slings have been on sale since May, when they were shown at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair in New York. So far, Ms. Ting says, she has sold more than 50 to people who’ve made inquiries through her company’s Web site, TingLondon.com.
Sustainable lounging does not come cheap: the Ting Slings are priced at £200, or about $407. A low-end hammock from Wal-Mart, by comparison, can cost under $60. Ms. Ting’s customers are paying a steep premium to swing without guilt.
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July 19th, 2007
6 Fire Departments Respond to Fire in Hoxie
HOXIE, Ark. (WHBQ FOX13 myfoxmemphis.com) — – Three firefighters were injured last night fighting a blaze at a furniture store in Hoxie.
Firefighters from six towns were called to fight the fire at Furniture and Appliances Now.
One of the injured firefighters fell off a ladder, one suffered smoke inhalation and the other developed heat exhaustion. Officials say at least two of the firefighters were taken to Lawrence County Memorial Hospital.
Firefighter John Simpkins, a captain with the Sedgwick Volunteer Fire Dept., is hospitalized in fair condition after being treated for heat exhaustion. Firefighter William Blair, a 38-year-old captain with the Hoxie Fire Department, is in stable condition.
The fire was reported at about 9 p.m. at the store on U-S Highway 67-B. says the fire started at a back corner of the building. In only minutes the entire building was in flames.
Firefighters from Hoxie, Walnut Ridge, Alicia, Portia, Segwick, and Black Rock responded to scene.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
July 19th, 2007
Newswise — Consumers looking to green up their patios with sustainable garden furniture have more products to choose from, but still face challenges finding them in stores, according to a new survey of major outdoor furniture retailers by the National Wildlife Federation.
Crate & Barrel and Pier 1 Imports scored highest in the National Wildlife Federation’s first annual scorecard of major retailers of wooden garden furniture. Wal-Mart, Restoration Hardware and Smith & Hawken came in at the bottom of the list. Wal-Mart, the world’s largest retailer, responded to the NWF survey indicating it does not currently offer any sustainable wood garden products. Restoration Hardware and Smith & Hawken declined to participate in the survey.
The U.S. is the world’s largest single importer of wooden furniture from tropical timber-producing countries. Garden furniture represents about one-fifth of the wooden furniture market. U.S. imports of all tropical wood products have increased four-fold over the past decade. As a result, the once biologically rich forests of countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Brazil, are being depleted at an unprecedented rate.
“Deforestation, especially in tropical forests, accounts for approximately one quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions as well as the rapid disappearance of the world’s remaining natural forest habitats,” said Eric Palola, executive director of the National Wildlife Federation’s wildlife restoration campaign. “The good news is more and more retailers are offering wooden garden furniture made from sustainably-harvested forests. The bad news is retailers don’t always make them easy to find.”
Several species of neo-tropical birds that summer in the U.S. and Canada depend on threatened tropical forests in Latin America. A major cause of deforestation is the legal and illegal logging of remaining primary forests to meet the global appetite for tropical wood products.
At current rates of deforestation, the remaining biodiversity-rich natural forests in countries such as Indonesia, Burma, Ecuador, Columbia, Guyana, and the Democratic Republic of Congo are expected to disappear within a decade.
Stacy Brown, forest certification coordinator for the National Wildlife Federation, recommends that consumers look for and ask for products with a Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) logo, which means the wood is traceable to a sustainably-managed forest.
“Buying FSC-certified garden furniture helps support sustainable forest management, which reduces the emission of greenhouse gases and protects wildlife habitat,” Brown said. “Similar to the rapid expansion in the organic food market which led to dramatic shifts in the agriculture industry, we can help change the forest products industry by voicing our preferences through our pocketbooks.”
Specifying FSC assures that wildlife and forest ecosystems are conserved through rigorous ecological standards that are audited on an annual basis.
“We want consumers to know they can make a huge difference in the fate of the world’s forests by acting with their wallets. If buyers don’t ask for FSC-certified products, retailers won’t supply them,” Brown said. “And we want retailers to know that people are paying attention to which companies make it easiest to find sustainable products. Vague public relations assurances—now found on many wood and paper products– are not enough, and in many cases amount to ‘greenwashing.’”
According to the survey, Crate & Barrel and Pier 1 Imports currently offer the largest selection of FSC-certified garden furniture compared to their total wooden outdoor furniture offerings. Both companies clearly identify FSC-certified products in their catalogs and online. Both companies also make sustainable forest management an important criterion for selecting product offerings.
Conversely, Wal-Mart offers no FSC-certified products. Smith & Hawken and Restoration Hardware declined to participate in the survey.
“Without providing information on their products, Smith & Hawken and Restoration Hardware make it difficult if not impossible for buyers to be sure their purchases support wildlife and sustainable forestry,” Brown said.
Of the 13 retailers surveyed, Target, Sears, Pottery Barn, Kmart and Frontgate have limited offerings (up to 35 percent) of wooden outdoor furniture that is FSC-certified or sources from forests working toward FSC certification.
The Home Depot, Lowe’s and IKEA have a moderate range of offerings (36-70 percent) of wooden outdoor furniture that is FSC-certified or sources from forests working toward FSC certification.
“Garden furniture, like any home product, is an investment. We want that investment to benefit wildlife and people,” Palola said.
NWF plans to conduct annual surveys of major outdoor furniture retailers to track the progress of making FSC-certified products available to consumers. To download the scorecard, go to www.nwf.org/news. For more information about sustainable forests, go to www.nwf.org/forests.
The National Wildlife Federation is America’s conservation organization inspiring Americans to protect wildlife for our children’s future.
July 19th, 2007
By: Furniture World Magazine
Lane Furniture Industries announced the introduction of the Continental Collection, a new assortment of imported motion furniture, which will be available for order at the Las Vegas furniture market in July. The Continental Collection is part of Lane’s new container direct motion program, which is launched in partnership with a source factory in China.
The Continental Collection consists of a full assortment of leather and suede motion furniture including reclining sofas, sectionals, loveseats and snugglers. The range is competitively priced with retail values between $699 and $1,399 for suede; and $899 and $1,999 for leather.
As Lane has dedicated stock in China, there is no production time necessary once the order has been placed. This will provide the dealer with a “quick ship” delivery of 7-8 weeks, allowing the collection to reach retail floors by early November in time for the critical holiday shopping months. When compared to typical ship cycles of imported upholstery product out of China, Lane’s lead times will be reduced approximately four weeks.
“Lane will continue to offer a strong domestic assortment of reclining furniture in addition to its new container direct collection,” said Greg Roy, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Lane Furniture Industries. “With the launch of a container direct program for motion furniture, however, we are able to offer a broader assortment and more flexibility for our dealer base. We are confident in our ability to provide improved service to our customers through the strength of our four U.S. manufacturing facilities and also our sourcing partners in Asia.”
The Continental Collection continues the Lane brand of styling for motion furniture, offering sleek and classical looks in addition to the traditional motion styles.
About Lane: Lane Home Furnishings is the largest manufacturer of reclining furniture and the second largest manufacturer of recliners in the world. To learn more, visit www.lanefurniture.com. Lane is a subsidiary of Furniture Brands International (NYSE: FBN), based in St. Louis. Furniture Brands International is the nation’s leading residential furniture manufacturer. Additional information can be found at www.furniturebrands.com.
July 19th, 2007
Furniture Today,
Most recently was exec at Sealy Canada
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Sealy veteran Tony Smith has been named president and CEO of International Bedding Corp., a Top 10 bedding producer based here. He replaces IBC founder Leon Ellman, who left the company in May.
“The Ellman family has built a company well known in the industry for quality, value and extraordinary support for its retail partners,” Smith said. “I am very pleased to be associated with IBC and I look forward to working with our executive team, employees and customers.”
Tom Taylor, managing director of Sun Capital Partners, said Smith brings the right blend of experience to IBC “to re-focus the company on its core competencies and strategic objectives in preparation for IBC’s future growth.”
Smith is a 27-year veteran of the bedding and furniture industry. He spent 22 years with Sealy, most recently as chief operating officer of Sealy Canada. Before that he was regional vice president of Sealy’s western division. He served as a bedding buyer for Gimbels Department Stores before joining Sealy in 1983.
IBC was acquired by an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners in May.
July 19th, 2007
By Bob Ellis, Staff Writer
The second West Frankfort Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours event is being hosted by chamber member, Coleman-Rhoads Furniture, located at 300 East Main Street, Thursday, July 19th, from 4:30 to 6 p.m.
The gathering is a unique way to promote the business community and the first such session drew high marks from those that attended, according to chamber president, Mike Hopkins.
“Sometimes it is difficult during the day for people to get out and relax in a social setting,” the president told the Daily American. “By doing this in the early evening hours it is perfect because it comes normally near the end of the business day and still leaves their evening free.”
Hopkins said that the first one held at the chamber office convinced the officers that this is a wonderful way for people to get together and it was always the intention to branch out into local businesses.
“Coleman Rhoads and Banterra Bank are the first two and others are also interested in being a gracious host and the chamber appreciates their participation. This type of attitude prevails in our community and that’s what makes us strong,” Hopkins said.
The event is open to all West Frankfort Chamber of Commerce members, their guests, and potential Chamber members. This is an opportunity for those attending to informally meet, network and learn more about the Chamber of Commerce and how this dynamic organization can serve their business endeavors.
“Our first ‘Business After Hours’ event at the chamber office was successful beyond our wildest expectations,” said Linda Clark, Executive Secretary of the chamber. “Members and guests took the opportunity to stop by on their way home from work to take a break in their day and to spend time with other members and guests.
“I am delighted Coleman Rhoads is hosting our second event. They are, as are all businesses in West Frankfort, vitally important to our community, economy and future growth. As a member of the ‘Furniture Capital of southern Illinois’ group, they, along with the other group members, continually promote not only their own businesses but the city of West Frankfort as well.”
The West Frankfort Chamber Ambassador committee is also working on the project during which refreshments will be served.
Clark sees this as an excellent opportunity for veteran businesspeople and professionals to join with all community-minded citizens to promote the community while socializing in a fun atmosphere. “This is a casual get-together, a way for our members to network with one another and to make new contacts.
Perhaps even someone who is thinking about joining the Chamber will have the chance to see what a dynamic and vital group we are.”
The next Business After Hours event will be held in the fall with chamber member, Banterra Bank hosting.
For more information on this event, or on the West Frankfort Chamber of Commerce in general, contact Clark at 618-932-2181, stop by the office located in the West Frankfort Public Safety Building on Nolen Drive, or go to www.westfrankfort-il.com.
July 19th, 2007
By: Furniture World Magazine
Robert Stamper has been appointed to the newly created position of senior vice president of marketing for Lexington Home Brands. An experienced home furnishings executive with over 20 years of experience at Drexel Heritage, Stamper will report directly to President and CEO Phil Haney.
“I am pleased to have someone of Robert Stamper’s caliber joining our team at Lexington Home Brands,” Haney says. “With his years of experience in the high-end arena, he knows this business better than most. Robert’s broad range of knowledge and his fresh perspective will be key to Lexington’s future plans and growth.”
“I am thrilled to join Lexington Home Brands at what I believe is one of the most exciting points in the company’s long history,” Stamper says. “There is an energy among the executive team at Lexington that is incredible to experience in this industry today. I look forward to being a part of what I know will be a prosperous future for Lexington.”
Stamper’s long career at Drexel included executive posts in the fields of sales, sales management, marketing, merchandising and advertising. In his new post at Lexington, he will be responsible for marketing, merchandising, advertising, business development, Internet marketing, licensing and the management of the licensing process, as well as strategic planning and forecasting.
Stamper also will head a team to establish a revitalized and interactive new Web site for Lexington Home Brands that will attract consumers to the company’s portfolio of brands and products, as well as a retail source listing to guide them to Lexington dealers in their area.
“Robert will be the link between many operational arms here at Lexington,” Haney says. “We have now assembled one of the most well-respected and talented teams in the home furnishings industry. As part of that, Lexington has some exciting developments in the works, as well as stunning new collections for October 2007. Lexington’s recent introductions, including Trump Home, Palm Canyon and Nautica’s Harrison, have been hits with our retail partners and we’ll top ourselves with the two new fall collections. Robert is key to continuing that success and building upon it with our brand partners and our retail dealers.”
Lexington Home Brands
Lexington Home Brands is a leading global marketer and manufacturer of branded case goods and upholstery, with the industry’s largest brand portfolio. Well-known consumer brands include Trump Home™ Tommy Bahama Home®, Liz Claiborne Home™, Nautica®, Palmer Home™, and Bob Timberlake®. LHB also markets products under the Lexington house brand. Youth brands include Bob Timberlake GrandKids and Lexington Kids. Products are distributed through independent home furnishings retailers and designer showrooms. A privately-held company, Lexington Home Brands is an affiliate of Boca Raton-based Sun Capital Partners, Inc.
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 140 companies worldwide with combined sales in excess of $33.0 billion since Sun Capital’s inception in 1995. Sun Capital has offices in Boca Raton, Los Angeles, and New York, and affiliates with offices in London, Tokyo, and Shenzhen, China.
July 19th, 2007
Clint Engel — Furniture Today,
SEFFNER, Fla. — Rooms To Go CEO Jeff Seaman confirmed Tuesday that the retailer will enter the hotly contested Houston market early next year with its first four stores.
The Top 100 company, which already has stores in Austin, San Antonio and the Dallas/Fort Worth markets, said it has started construction on two stores in Baybrook and Willowbrook areas of Houston.
It expects to have these and two more in Sugar Land and The Woodlands shopping area open some time during the first quarter of next year. Each store will be about 40,000 square feet and will be combination RTG stores with attached Rooms To Go Kids & Teens units.
“We’re pretty excited about it,” Seaman said. “Texas is an area that Rooms To Go has room to expand in, and we’ve been thinking about Houston for some time.”
RTG has real estate in various stages of development there, but has shied away from announcing its plans until it could nail down the critical warehouse piece.
Now, Seaman said, the company is finalizing plans to build a 1.4 million-square-foot distribution center in west Houston at one of two sites under consideration. The facility should open about a year after the first stores. Until then, RTG will service Houston through its Dallas distribution center.
How many more stores the company will need in greater Houston is uncertain, Seaman said, but added that it’s “a lot more than four” and that the retailer already is negotiating on two more store sites.
He said he believes the market should be similar to Dallas, where RTG has six main stores, two clearance centers and four Kids & Teens units. Two more Dallas stores will open over the next two years.
Seaman would not disclose RTG’s investment in Houston nor its projected sales there. Furniture/Today estimates the retailer’s full build-out investment in Houston, including the distribution center, will exceed $100 million
“It’s a very big market, and growing, but it’s competitive,” Seaman said, noting the likes of Top 100 rivals Finger Furniture, Star, Gallery Furniture and The RoomStore, as well as small but strong independents and Ashley Furniture HomeStores, which Finger recently began opening there.
He said Houston reminds him of South Florida, which also is teeming with strong competitors, but is a market where Rooms To Go has carved out its share of sales.
“There are a lot of good competitors (in Houston), but there is a lot of business there — we hope,” said Seaman.
RTG is No 2 on Furniture/Today’s Top 100 with estimated furniture bedding and accessories sales last year of $1.76 billion at 116 stores in Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas and Alabama and a franchise store in Puerto Rico.
July 19th, 2007
Furniture Today,
THOMASVILLE, N.C. — Lexington Home Brands has hired veteran Drexel Heritage executive Robert Stamper in the newly created position of senior vice president of marketing.
He reports to President and CEO Phil Haney.
Stamper spent more than 20 years at Drexel Heritage as an executive in sales, sales management, marketing, merchandising and advertising. At Lexington, he will be responsible for marketing, merchandising, advertising, business development, Internet marketing, licensing and the management of the licensing process, as well as strategic planning and forecasting.
He also will head a team to establish a revitalized and interactive new Web site for Lexington that will attract consumers to the company’s portfolio of brands and products, as well as a retail source locator to guide them to Lexington dealers in their area.
“With his years of experience in the high-end arena, he knows this business better than most,” said Haney. “Robert’s broad range of knowledge and his fresh perspective will be key to Lexington’s future plans and growth.”
Haney said Stamper will serve as a link between many operational arms at Lexington. He added the company “has some exciting developments in the works, as well as stunning new collections for October 2007. Lexington’s recent introductions, including Trump Home, Palm Canyon and Nautica’s Harrison, have been hits with our retail partners and we’ll top ourselves with the two new fall collections. Robert is key to continuing that success and building upon it with our brand partners and our retail dealers.”
July 19th, 2007