Archive for August 6th, 2007
New Orders:
As we suspected would happen last month, new orders fell in May by 13 percent compared to May 2006 order levels, according to our recent survey of residential furniture manufacturers and distributors.
In April 2007, new orders were up 12 percent over the previous April. We had suspected that the increase was primarily attributable to the timing of the High Point Market since Market was in April in 2007 and ended in May 2006.
For the two months combined, new orders were off about 2 percent. The overall decline for the two months brought the year-to-date totals to a decrease of 5 percent, up slightly from the 4 percent levels in March and February.
Year-to-date, some 65 percent of the participants reported decreased order levels. This was up from 60 percent at the end of March. Shipments and Backlogs Shipments in May 2007 were down 7 percent versus May 2006 but were up 2 percent over April. Shipments in May are typically higher than April.
Year-to-date, shipments remained 7 percent below last year. Shipments have now been off every month since July of 2006. Similar to the last two months, 73 percent of the participants reported lower levels of shipments on a year-to-date basis. With shipments exceeding new orders, backlogs fell 6 percent from April levels and were 5 percent lower than May 2006 levels, in line with the decrease in orders. Receivables and Inventories Receivable levels fell 1 percent from April despite the increase in shipments. Compared to last May though, receivables were down 5 percent compared to the 7 percent decline in shipments for the month and year to date. If business remains weak at retail most will need to watch allowing some of the customers drag out payments.
Inventories fell 1 percent from April and were 11 percent lower than May 2006 levels. This compared to a 9 percent decrease reported in April. Based on order levels, it appears that inventories should be in pretty good shape. Similar to shipments, some 70 percent of the participants reported lower inventory levels.
Factory Employees and Payroll Factory payrolls were down 6 percent in May compared to May a year ago. In April, these payrolls were down 8 percent. Year-to-date, factory payrolls remained 8 percent below the year-to-date payrolls last year. The number of factory employees were even with April and were down 14 percent from last May. This compared to a 15 percent decline reported last month.
National Consumer Confidence:
The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index, which had slipped in June, rebounded in July. The Index now stands at 112.6 (1985=100), up from 105.3 in June. The Present Situation Index increased to 139.2 from 129.9 in June. The Expectations Index rose to 94.8 from 88.8. Says Lynn Franco, Director of The Conference Board Consumer Research Center: “The rebound in Consumer Confidence has catapulted the Index to its highest reading in nearly six years (August 2001, 114.0).
An improvement in business conditions and the job market has lifted consumers’ spirits in July. The more upbeat about short-term economic prospects, mainly the result of a decline in the number of pessimists, not an increase in the number of optimists. This rebound in confidence suggests economic activity may gather a little momentum in the coming months.”
Gross Domestic Product:
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, real gross domestic product (GDP) increased at an annual rate of 3.4 percent (advance estimate) in the second quarter of 2007. The real GDP increased only 0.6 percent in the first quarter. The increase in the quarter primarily was caused by positive contributions from personal consumption expenditures for services, exports, non residential structures and federal, state and local government spending. These were partially offset by negative contributions from residential fixed investments. Imports, a subtraction from GDP decreased in the quarter, helping the acceleration of the GDP. The results of the annual revisions in the GDP were also released in July. According to the revised reports, the growth in the GDP was 3.6 percent in 2004, down from 3.9 percent originally; 3.1 percent from 3.2 percent in 2005 and 2.9 percent from 3.3 percent in 2006.
Housing:
Total existing home sales, including single family, townhomes, condos and co-ops, declined 3.8 percent in June to a seasonally adjusted rate of 5.75 million units from May’s 5.98 million. Sales were 11.4 percent lower than sales in June of 2006, up from a 10.3 percent decline in May compared to May 2006. Single-family home sales fell 3.5 percent in June from May levels and were 12.1 percent below June 2006 levels. The median existing single-family home price was $230,300 in June, up 0.1 percent over last year.
Regionally existing home sales fell 1.7 percent in the South, 2.8 percent in the Midwest, 6.8 percent in the West and 7.3 percent in the Northeast. The total housing inventory fell 4.2 percent in June to an 8.8 months supply. Lawrence Yun, NAR senior economist, said some consumers are uncertain. “Home buyers have been getting mixed signals about the housing market, which is causing some of them to hesitate,” he said. “Mortgage interest rates have risen recently, and tightening lending standards are continuing to hamper sales, but fewer risky loans will put the market on a healthier path.
Although general buying conditions remain favorable for long-term home buyers, it appears some buyers are looking for more signs of stability before they have enough confidence to make an offer.” Sales of new one-family homes in June fell 6.6 percent from May and were 22.3 percent below the June 2006 levels. This decrease from last year compares to a 15.8 percent decline last month. The median price of new homes was $237,900, up from $236,100 last month. The report indicated that there is now a 7.8 months supply of new homes for sale, up from 7.1 months last month. Single-family housing starts in June were at a rate of 1,151,000 or a 0.2 percent decline from the May results.
Consumer Prices:
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.2 percent in June on both a non seasonally and seasonally adjusted basis. The June 2007 level was 2.7 percent higher than a year ago in June.
The index for energy, which had increased sharply in the last three months, declined 0.5 percent, with petroleum-based energy dropping 0.9 percent. The index for all items less food and energy advanced 0.2 percent in June following a 0.1 percent increase in May. Consumer prices increased at a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 5.2 percent in the second quarter after advancing at a 4.7 percent rate in the first three months of 2007. This brings the year-to-date annual rate to 5.0 percent and compares with an increase of 2.5 percent in all of 2006. The index for energy, which rose 2.9 percent in all of 2006, advanced at a 27.8 percent SAAR in the first half of 2007 and accounted for about 48 percent of the advance in the overall CPI-U during that period. Petroleum-based energy costs increased at a 48.3 percent annual rate and charges for energy services rose at a 5.5 percent annual rate.
The food index rose at a 6.2 percent SAAR in the first half of 2007 and contributed about 17 percent to the overall CPI-U increase in the first six months. Grocery store food prices increased at a 8.0 percent annual rate in the first half of 2007, reflecting acceleration over the last year in each of the six major groups. These increases ranged from annual rates of 14.8 percent in the index for dairy products to 5.5 percent in the index for other food at home. The CPI-U excluding food and energy advanced at a 2.3 percent SAAR in the second quarter, the same rate as in the first three months of 2007. The advance at a 2.3 percent SAAR for the first half of 2007 compares with a 2.6 percent rise in all of 2006. The deceleration largely reflects a smaller increase in the index for shelter and a downturn in the index for apparel.
Retail Sales:
The U.S. Census Bureau announced its advance estimates for retail sales. According to the report, U.S. retail and food service sales for June, adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday trading day differences, fell 0.9 percent from May but were 3.8 percent above June a year ago. Total sales for the quarter were 3.9 percent ahead of the second quarter last year. Retail trade sales were down 1 percent from May but were 3.5 percent ahead of last June. Sales at furniture and home furnishings stores were down 3 percent from May and down 2 percent from June a year ago. Year-to-date, sales at these stores were reported up 3 percent over the first-half of last year.
Employment:
Nonfarm payroll employment increased 132,000 in June according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.5 percent. Employment rose in several service providing industries, while manufacturing continued to decline.
Durable Goods Orders and Shipments:
New orders for manufactured durable goods in June increased by 1.4 percent according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This was the fourth increase in the last five months. Excluding transportation, new orders decreased 0.5 percent. Transportation equipment, up after two consecutive decreases, had the largest increase, holstered by nondefense aircraft and parts.
Shipments of manufactured durable goods in June declined 1.1 percent after three consecutive monthly increases. This followed a 0.6 percent increase in May.
Consumer Credit:
According to the Federal Reserve, total consumer debt increased at an annualized rate of 6.4 percent in May with revolving debt up 9.8 percent. Total consumer debt was estimated at 2.4406 trillion dollars with revolving credit in that total of $894.6 billion.
Summary:
As we noted last month, the surge in orders comparing April to April 2006 was a timing issue. The combined April and May results pretty much reflected what we have been hearing. Occasionally, there have been some spurts of orders—including just after the July 4th holidays, but there does not seem to be much sustained growth. The housing market continues to be in the doldrums with not much good news expected any time soon. With so much inventory out there, new home starts are likely to remain low for some time.
As we have indicated before, we are now comparing to rather weak results from last year so the hope is that maybe we have bottomed out. But based on conversations at retail, the traffic is not necessarily there. Based on this, it may be a while before we see any sustained growth. Consumer debt growth is a continuing concern but the recent report on consumer confidence is encouraging. We continue to believe that is the key factor. With interest and inflation (except for energy related items) in reasonably good shape, we just need some pick up in housing and sustained confidence.
This Furniture Insights® newsletter report has been re-published with the permission of Smith Leonard PLLC an independent member of the BDO Seidman Alliance.
Firm Profile: Founded in 1930 by BDO Seidman, LLP, the High Point, North Carolina practice was recently acquired by four individuals who have spent the majority of their 100+ year careers building the existing practice. Beginning January 1, 2007, Smith Leonard PLLC became an independent member of the BDO Seidman Alliance. Partners are Ken Smith, Darlene Leonard, Jon Glazman and Mark Bulmer. Among the firm’s 32 employees are 18 CPAs.
Service Area – Smith Leonard concentrates primarily in the Triad, but also services companies with domestic locations throughout North Carolina, Virginia, South Carolina and Texas. Smith Leonard has an extensive network of international relationships that helps service their clients’ needs throughout the world with locations in Asia, Europe, South America, Mexico and Canada. These companies range in revenue size of $2 million to $300 million.
Practice Concentration – The majority of the client base is composed of manufacturing and distribution companies. Many of its clients are either furniture manufacturers, distributors or suppliers to the furniture industry. Smith Leonard also services companies in retail, transportation, insurance, not-for-profit entities and employee benefit plans. Smith Leonard offers a full range of accounting and consulting services including audits, compilations, reviews, tax planning and compliance. The partners and staff of Smith Leonard also assists clients in mergers, acquisitions, business consulting, cash flow projections, and tax outsourcing. Individual clients benefit from extensive experience in family wealth services including estate tax planning.
The firm continues to produce monthly and annual statistics for the furniture industry. For more information call (336) 883-018 or e-Mail: ksmith@smithleonardcpas.com.
August 6th, 2007
Furniture Brands International (NYSE:FBN - News) announced today its financial results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2007.
Operating Results
Net sales for the second quarter of 2007 were $535.2 million compared to $601.3 million in the second quarter of 2006, a decrease of 11.0%. Net earnings for the second quarter of 2007 were $5.8 million, down from $17.0 million in the second quarter of last year. Diluted earnings per common share were $0.12 in the second quarter of 2007 as compared to $0.35 in the second quarter of last year.
Reported financial results for the second quarters of 2007 and 2006 include several special items and restructuring charges. Excluding the effect of these items, diluted earnings per common share results were $0.09 for the 2007 quarter and $0.36 for the 2006 quarter.
Net sales for the first half of 2007 were $1,109.0 million compared to $1,262.7 million in the first half of 2006, a decrease of 12.2%. Net earnings for the first half of 2007 were $8.7 million compared to $47.2 million in the first half of 2006. Diluted earnings per common share were $0.18 in the first half of 2007 compared to $0.96 in the first half of 2006. Excluding special items and restructuring charges, earnings per common share for the six months ended June 30, 2007 totaled $0.17 compared to $0.87 for the comparable 2006 period.
A description and reconciliation of GAAP earnings to earnings after special items and restructuring charges for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 are included later in this release.
Management Comments
W. G. (Mickey) Holliman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented: “Our second quarter top-line performance reflects the continued difficult operating environment in the furniture industry. Sluggish economic activity has dampened demand for discretionary spending by many consumers. We are meeting this situation with fresh product offerings as well as promotions to keep our family of brands in the consumer’s eye. The earnings per share impact of this downward trend was modestly offset this quarter by a gain related to a treasury lock agreement as described below, and by the decreased provisions for management incentive compensation.
“During the quarter we also made substantial progress in creating a capital structure that better matches our long-term financial goals. We believe this asset-backed lending facility will provide the adequate liquidity to respond to market conditions and accommodate growth initiatives. We expect to have this new facility in place well before the August 14 target date.'’
Mr. Holliman continued, “After several months of careful study, our management team has now concluded its strategic review of our industry and how Furniture Brands can best deliver value to its shareholders. This broad-reaching review touches on every aspect of how we do business, from raw material supply chain to manufacturing to how we engage the customer. Ralph Scozzafava, Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Designate, is heading this effort and will present our team’s plan to the board this week. As we share these strategies with our board and down through our management team and employees, we expect to provide updates to the investment community, culminating with a robust investor event in New York in the early fall. We plan to share more information on this process in the coming months.'’
Outlook
Mr. Holliman concluded, “With respect to the third quarter, we expect net earnings per diluted common share to be in a range of a loss of $0.19 to $0.15. However, excluding the effect of $0.17 per share in make-whole charges in the quarter under the Note Purchase Agreement described below, and $0.04 per share in restructuring, asset impairment, and severance charges, we expect adjusted net earnings per diluted common share to be in a range of $0.02 to $0.06.'’
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measurements to GAAP Results
In this press release, our financial results are provided both in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), and using certain non-GAAP financial measures. In particular, we provide historic and estimated future net earnings per diluted common share excluding certain charges related to our debt refinancing and related to restructuring, asset impairment, and severance, which are non-GAAP financial measures. These results, which are consistent with our internal reporting, are included as a complement to results provided in accordance with GAAP because we believe these non-GAAP financial measures help indicate underlying trends in our business and provide useful information to both management and investors by excluding certain items that are not indicative of our core operating results. These measures should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP, but should not be considered a substitute for or superior to GAAP results.
On June 29, 2007, we announced the signing of a Second Amendment to our existing Note Purchase Agreement. In exchange for temporary covenant relief under that agreement, and in anticipation of a refinancing of our long-term debt, we agreed to prepay in full no later than August 15, 2007 the outstanding principal amount of the 6.83% Senior Notes, plus the payment of a make-whole amount. As a result of this anticipated refinancing, we discontinued hedge accounting treatment on a treasury lock agreement and recorded a gain of $4.1 million ($0.05 per diluted common share) during the second quarter of 2007 in Other Income in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. During the quarter, we also recorded the amortization of the make-whole payment applicable to the second quarter of 2007, resulting in additional interest expense of $0.6 million ($0.01 per diluted common share). Also included in the 2007 second quarter net earnings were restructuring, asset impairment, and severance charges totaling $1.4 million, or $.02 per diluted common share.
Included in the 2006 second quarter net earnings were restructuring, asset impairment, and severance charges totaling $0.8 million, or $0.01 per diluted common share.
Included in net earnings for the first half of 2007 was a gain of $4.1 million resulting from the termination of hedge accounting due to the anticipated refinancing of the Senior Notes partially offset by recording a portion of the make-whole payment in the quarter as set forth above. Also included in the 2007 first half net earnings were restructuring, asset impairment, and severance charges totaling $2.6 million, or $0.04 per diluted common share. In addition, the first half of 2007 includes the effect of $1.9 million, or $0.02 per diluted common share, in increased interest expense due to the upfront recognition of the gain on the interest rate swaps at the end of the first quarter of 2006.
Included in the 2006 first half net earnings was a gain of $8.5 million ($0.11 per diluted common share) from the termination of hedge accounting on an interest rate swap due to the refinancing of the revolving credit facility in the second quarter of 2006. Also included in the 2006 first half net earnings were restructuring, asset impairment, and severance charges totaling $1.6 million, or $0.02 per diluted common share.
About Furniture Brands: Furniture Brands International is one of America’s largest residential furniture companies. The company produces, sources, and markets its products under six of the best-known brand names in the industry — Broyhill, Lane, Thomasville, Henredon, Drexel Heritage, and Maitland-Smith.
August 6th, 2007
Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc. reported a loss in earnings for the second quarter ended June 30, 2007. The net loss for the second quarter of 2007 was $1.4 million or $0.06 per diluted share of Common Stock, as compared to the second quarter 2006 net income of $3.6 million or $0.16 per diluted share of Common Stock.
For the six months ended June 30, 2007, the net loss was $520,000 or $0.02 per diluted share of Common Stock versus net income of $8.7 million or $0.38 per diluted share of Common Stock for the same period in 2006.
Net sales for the second quarter of 2007 were $187.1 million, a decrease of 11.3% compared to sales of $211.0 million for the corresponding quarter in 2006. As previously reported, comparable-store sales decreased 12.7% for the quarter.
Clarence H. Smith, president and chief executive officer, said, “Severely weak sales volume early in the quarter created a difficult hurdle for us and produced a quarterly loss. We had noted in our May and June sales releases that with the double-digit sales declines we would not be profitable. Sales were especially poor in the first half of the quarter but we were heartened by the improvement in volume and return to profitability for June.
“The close management of our merchandise flow and clearance activity resulted in a reduction in inventory of $15.5 million or 13.1% as compared to year ago levels. The increased clearance sales contributed to a 64 basis point reduction in gross profit margins versus the second quarter last year.
“SG&A expenses were $4.9 million lower than last year’s second quarter with decreases in all major categories except occupancy, which was up approximately $1.0 million due to overhead associated with new stores.
“The second quarter is typically the weakest of the year for Havertys. We expect to return to profitability in the second half as fixed expenses are leveraged with the seasonally higher sales volume anticipated.”
Havertys is a full-service home furnishings retailer with 122 showrooms in 17 states in the Southern and Midwestern regions providing its customers with a wide selection of quality merchandise in middle- to upper-middle price ranges. Additional information is available on the Company’s web site at http://www.havertys.com.
August 6th, 2007
Michelle Lamb began her TrendWatch Live! seminar at Las Vegas Market with something a little different: A tour of the color wheel.
The senior editor of The Trend Curve and contributor to Accessory Merchandising said, “When I talk about trends I always start with color, because it’s so significant to everything else that is going on.”
Lamb, who is also founder and chairperson of the Minneapolis-based Marketing Directions Inc., provided snapshots of what the trends are for 2008 and 2009, many of which she took at Las Vegas Market. The seminar was sponsored by World Market Center and Vance Publishing/Accessory Merchandising.
Lamb said that she’s been thinking about not only about the direction of color but the direction of color combinations. Starting with blue, she showed how blues are taking off in new directions.
“Blues are never truly out of fashion, but different types and different personalities cycle back and forth. Through 2010 we expect many more blues in an upcycle than we have had in years, all of them exciting and immensely sellable.”
Water-based and saturated midvalues of blue have the potential to be best-sellers in everything from bed and bath to upholstery and even Christmas and holiday. Navy blues are being pushed to the red side along with denim-inspired blues.
Going around the color wheel, she highlighted purple with red casts, pale and midtone purples, and fuscia-inspired purple. Pinks will stay cool, with the exception of a hot coral.
While browns and oranges will stay the same course for 2008, Lamb said to get ready for a very different green-cast yellow to pop.
“It isn’t horribly edgy, just enough green to make a difference,” she said. “We will also see neon-flavored yellows in 2009. This is going to be a parallel trend with ready-to-wear. It also looks great with gray and silver.”
The parallels with apparel are becoming more evident. Lamb pointed out that home and apparel are coming closer and closer all the time. One of the biggest trends for both is metallics.
“Gold is the freshest way to tell that metallic story,” she said. “Gold is showing up in all sorts of thicknesses. Think of those little threads of gold in the fabric and then contrast that with something that is nearly viscous. There is no wrong way to do metallics right now.”
Other trends that are popping up in both worlds:
• Warm grays. Look for a mixture of warm-temperature grays in 2009.
• Skin-tone neutrals. The transition will be made from shades of pinks and peaches to desert neutrals, such as khakhi browns and gold grays, perhaps accented with white and black.
• Paisley is back. Bohemian or Morrocan themes update this traditional pattern.
• Crowns. This icon can be a little edgy, from the counter-culture point of view.
• Stripes. They’ve been off the trend-radar for several seasons. New combinations of colors and thicknesses energize stripes in a new way.
• Art nouveau. In the coming years, art nouveau will have the potential to be a replacement for glamour looks.
When talking about fabrics, Lamb said buyers will see more intricate weaves, fine and elaborate textures, and lustrous overtones.
“Complicated approaches are what’s going on right now. Visual and textural variety are what’s important,” she said. “It’s also a reminder of the relentless increase of consumer sophistication that makes companies compelled to make something special in almost every fabric and every piece.”
Related to that are patterns. While they fit well into the area of fabrics, Lamb also said to look for patterns in décor and tableware. New interpretations of fine point illustrations are decidedly decorative. Patterns such as Greek keys, camphor leaves, medallions, iron work patterns, scallops and architectural elements are making their way onto tableware and accessories.
Wood remains the leader in materials right now, which is great for the eco-chic trend. Buyers can expect all newness of the green movement to become the new normal.
“We still like the found wood and the reclaimed wood. There is also going to be shift to lighter finishes that is really going to keep this category going. Look for gray wood. Dark is not done, but we’re evolving,” Lamb said.
Glass also fits into the eco-chic trend. Buyers should be on the lookout for bumpy textures, or textures that are reminiscent of water or ice. There is a shift away from plain, smooth glass toward glass with facets, scoring, and handcarvings. Facets also make pieces more functional, which is what consumers still want. Functionality is now becoming more edgy. Sofas can be assymetrical and to create spaces that work for consumers. Chairs convert to tables and wall hangings. There is a concerted effort to be less gimmicky in the functionality.
When speaking about exotic locales, Lamb touched on the Asian and African influences still being big, but never looking as fresh as they do for 2008. “There is a youthful rhythm to Asian style that is contagious,” she said.
Consumers love the traditional black and red lacquer, but new, unexpected colors such as white, aqua, coral and lemon are giving the trend a fresh look.
As for the African trends, rocks fossils, horns can be high-end with a metallic coat. Leopard and tiger skin patterns are paired with unnatural colors to make them feel like they haven’t been seen before. Moroccan motifs, such as grillwork, stars and paisley, work well in sheer and lustrous tapestries. Tapestries are coming back in a very different way.
“We’ll see other architectural elements being used on products,” Lamb said. “Add in exotic grasses and metal and lacquered wood to round out the look, and you have an African trend to reenergize the global mood for the balance of the decade.”
The semi-annual Las Vegas Market is the world’s fastest-growing trade show for home furnishings currently spanning 3.8 million square feet of permanent showrooms and exhibits and featuring 1,300 companies and lines. World Market Center will soon boast the greatest depth and breadth of furniture-related products compared to any other market center and will be the world’s largest trade fair complex when fully built out to 12 million square feet in 2013.
The Las Vegas Market continues through August 3, 2007 at World Market Center’s Buildings A and B, the Pavilions; the temporaries are featured at Sands Expo & Convention Center.
August 6th, 2007
The children’s playroom at the New Haven Ronald McDonald House was uninspired until the team of Pilgrim Furniture City, Ronald McDonald Junior House Council, the Silver Family, Mary DeCroce, and local contractors totally renovated and transformed the ordinary playroom to extraordinary, bringing life into the once typically cluttered playroom. “We were first approached by artist, Mary DeCroce to participate in the renovation of the children’s play area at the Ronald McDonald House,” says Mike Albert, President and Owner of Pilgrim Furniture City in Southington.
“We have been looking to extend our outreach program to the Greater New Haven area. This gave us the perfect opportunity,” says Albert. Pilgrim Furniture City has recently begun its own charitable foundation, and the Ronald McDonald House was the next move. “We believe that, as a company, we have the duty to improve the quality of life in our local communities, as well as to our state,” says Albert.
“We at Pilgrim Furniture worked with the Ronald McDonald’s House Junior Council and Merle Silver and family, who take part in the Adopt- A- Room Program, to give this outdated playroom order,” says Albert. This revamped playroom gave the old Victorian Ronald McDonald House a sense of nature, as if the same trees surrounding the house made their way inside. The light green flooring resembling the grass, a corner table with real tree stumps as its legs, the apple tree and bluebird mural, apple knobs on the cabinets, and the bright red plush loveseat provided by Pilgrim Furniture City, give the once chaotic room structure. The ongoing theme of the outdoors makes this room bright, cheery and playful, enticing all kids aged toddlers and up to do some serious playing. The first room to be completely renovated and transformed in the New Haven Ronald McDonald House is now multifunctional filled with books, XBOX, costumes, board games, and toys that allow the kids to travel to a world where they can escape the stress, tears, and fears of illness and act like the young boy or girl they are- laugh, smile, and dream.
The once messy playroom with the primary color, pin-stripe wallpaper; and worn down parquet floor was filled with miscellaneous toys, including beanie babies hanging from the ceiling. “It always looked messy and uninviting,” says Janet Hanscom, Director of Operations at the New Haven Ronald McDonald House. Mary DeCroce, a local freelancer, gave life to the room by painting a mural that brought the nature of the outdoors, indoors. With the combination of apple trees and bluebirds flying among the walls, the Ronald McDonald House wanted the children to feel like they were outside as they approached the playroom. For those kids stuck inside due to their illness or those whose siblings are getting care at nearby hospitals, this room provides a sense of freedom. The “over the rainbow” painting among the many bluebirds flying within the mural gives the message that “dreams are attainable and just keep going,” says DeCroce.
The Ronald McDonald House provides a home away from a home to families with children who are seriously ill that are receiving medical care at hospitals nearby. The program began in 1974, with this simple idea and since then over 10 million families worldwide have benefited from the Ronald McDonald Houses. The Ronald McDonald House offers both the comfort and support so that all members of the family can feel as close to home throughout the worrisome situation. In a perfect world, we all would never have to see the inside of this house, but all 275 houses worldwide bring smiles in light of unfortunate, frightening circumstances.
For the all members of the families staying at the Ronald McDonald House, it is a hard time in ones life, but with the collaboration of all who dedicate themselves in the Ronald McDonald House these families can feel as if they are at home. A welcoming feeling of genuine love and concern hits everyone who enters the New Haven Ronald McDonald House. Although those families staying at the house are there in quite unfortunate circumstances, these families receive such an overwhelming amount of generosity that they walk out with a family much larger than when they arrived. The newly revamped playroom design of “bringing the outdoors indoors,” sparkles to the eye and draws smiles to all families who enter. You can see light beaming into the room, all children, including the parents whose eyes lock in on the flat screen TVs with XBOX, want to kick back and let the games begin!
Thanks to the kindness of Pilgrim City Furniture and all the local businesses who took part in bringing back some life and spunk, the once dull playroom is no more! There is now some meaning for the phrase “Its Playtime!” Just enter the Ronald McDonald playroom “over the rainbow,” that’s filled with apple trees, where bluebirds soar among the sky, and the grass is definitely green and you’ll find yourself in a cheerful place with no rules but to have fun!
If you would like to support the Ronald McDonald House and/or consider becoming a volunteer, please contact Janet Hanscom, Director of House Operations at 203-777-5683 or by email at jhanscom@rmh-ct.org.
August 6th, 2007
Verlo Mattress Factory Stores franchise owners Eric and Sharon Ginn announced that they “have brought the business of better sleep” to Yorkville.
The Ginns officially opened the doors of their new 3,200-square-foot location last weekend at 928 North Bridge St. (Route 47), south of Route 34 by AutoZone. “We love Yorkville,” Sharon said. “We’re looking forward to being part of the Yorkville community and helping people sleep better.”
The Ginns are no strangers to the bedding business, additionally owning stores in Willowbrook, Geneva, Plainfield and Schaumburg, with a showroom and assembly facility in Naperville.
Customers can stop by and even observe their mattresses being made. The Verlo Mattress Factory Stores of Yorkville carries custom-built mattresses from round beds to pet beds to beds for your RV, camper or boat. Customers are also invited to check out ornamental design beds, futon mattresses, assorted futon covers, futon frames, bolsters and pillows. “We carry over 20 different models that can be tailored to a customer’s specifications from firm to super soft,” Sharon said.
Verlo Mattress Factory Stores has been around since 1958, starting its first store in Wheeling, Ill. There are currently 61 stores in nine states.
“We here at the Home Office are excited about expanding our franchises in Chicago and look forward to more growth in the future,” Verlo Mattress Factory Stores Vice President Keith Mackey said. “The Ginns run a great operation and this will be a positive move for their individual franchise.”
The Yorkville location is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday noon to 5 p.m. For more information, call 630.553.0265.
About Verlo Mattress Factory Stores: Headquartered in Fort Atkinson, Wis., Verlo Mattress Factory Stores is the nation’s largest Craftsman-Direct® mattress retailer. Offering the only franchise opportunity in the $7.7 billion-a-year sleep specialty industry, Verlo Mattress Factory Stores earned a spot in Entrepreneur Magazine’s 27th Annual Franchise 500 in 2006. Verlo’s business model sustains the retail framework for custom-built mattresses, ornamental design beds, futon mattresses, assorted futon covers, futon frames, bolsters and pillows.
Currently, Verlo has a highly concentrated retail presence in the Midwest with stores expanding as far west as Colorado and as far south as Florida. Visit www.verlo.com or www.verlofranchise.com.
August 6th, 2007
Furniture Today,
GUANGZHOU, China — A pair of furniture and housewares fairs here in March drew increased traffic, mostly from domestic buyers, organizers said.
The 19th China International Furniture Fair was held March 18-21 in conjunction with Homedecor & Housewares China 2007 at the Chinese Export Commodities Fair Pazhou Complex in Guangzhou. A separate home textiles and woodworking and supplier fair was held from March 27-30 at the same venue.
Traffic during both events totaled 93,933, up 4% from the 89,768 who visited the March 2006 shows. This year’s attendance included 25,224 international buyers, down slightly from the 25,321 who came in March 2006.
Officials did not break out numbers for the furniture show alone, which had 464 exhibitors occupying 10 halls and 1.1 million square feet of show space. In March 2006, the furniture segment had 433 exhibitors.
Most exhibitors were from mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. The show also had a number of international exhibitors from countries including Malaysia, Singapore, Korea, the United States, France and Italy.
The next CIFF event will be held Aug. 18-21.
August 6th, 2007
MORE INFORMATION
- For more information on ‘Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,’ visit http://abc.go.com/primetime/xtremehome/
- For a complete listing of local companies who donated time, products and services, visit www.HOVhomesExtreme.com.
- To donate to the family fund, visit www.HOVhomesExtreme.com and click on ‘Donate.’
By KRISTY DAVIES
Courier-Post Staff
PENNSAUKEN
The final touches on landscaping and the moving in of furniture today concluded a hectic week of the filming of the construction of an “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” house.
As camera crews gathered outside the home, hundreds of volunteers gathered outside a Levitz furniture truck ready to take directions from Ty Pennington, the show’s host, who kicked off the move-in process.
Designers Ed Sanders, Paul DiMeo, Tanya McQueen, Rib Hillis and Pennington finalized their projects and designs late today in preparation for the revealing of the home Sunday.
They are building the house for the Marrero family of Camden. Victor Marrero and his five sons were featured on ABC’s “20/20″ in a documentary on children growing up in poverty. Cameras followed three Camden families for 18 months. That resulted in an outpouring of attention.
The Marreros found out about the “Extreme Makeover” last Sunday and were sent on vacation to Spain, courtesy of Disney.
Ground was broken for the building on Federal Street at noon Tuesday. Twenty-four hours later, the frame and sheathing were up. By Thursday, because of the round-the-clock construction, all of the siding was complete, as well as the interior wallboards, electrical system, plumbing, heating and air conditioning. By the end of the day Thursday, cabinets and tiling were completed.
The construction of the home has been filmed by “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” production company Lock & Key Productions of Los Angeles.
About 80 crew members traveled into town to shoot the show. They include camera crews, muralists, producers, electricians, security workers and location workers.
“We shoot more than 600 hours of footage,” said Diane Korman, senior producer of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.” “We have to edit it down to 44 minutes. Even the footage is extreme.”
Some of that footage included Pennington at Sears in the Moorestown Mall as he purchased Sears’ products as he does in every episode.
As the filming crews came in, so did area businesses. Commerce Bank assisted J.S Hovnanian & Sons, the builder chosen for the project, by setting up a family fund for its Web site.
“Our bank will encourage anyone with spare change to use the bank’s free Penny Arcade coin counting machines and then donate all, or a portion of, the money to the family,” said Rebecca Acevedo, spokeswoman for Commerce Bank.
Joseph’s Landscaping of Williamstown donated about $65,000 worth of material and labor to the home.
The landscaping company provided a majority of the landscaping material, pavers, walls and steps, pergola in the back, irrigation system and lighting system, said Steven Joseph, president of the Gloucester County business.
More than a dozen varieties of plants enhance the grounds of the new home.
“I feel it’s a great experience to be giving back to the community and ultimately for the family,” said Joseph. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
Acme grocery stores donated all of the food for the volunteers, VIPs and to fill the Marreros’ refrigerator.
The revealing of the home and “Move that bus!” will occur sometime between 1 and 4 p.m. Sunday.
August 6th, 2007
Thomas Russell
Event set for Oct. 7-14 WASHINGTON — The U.S. Vietnam Chamber of Commerce is organizing a trade mission to Vietnam this fall.
The trip will be held from Oct. 7-14 and will include a visit to the International Handicraft and Furniture Expo in Ho Chi Minh City. Held from Oct. 10-14, the fair will have some 800 booths showcasing furniture and handicrafts made in Vietnam.
The trip is open to different industries that source in Vietnam, such as the textile and the shoe industries. But with the planned visit to the Expo, furniture also plays an important role.
The visit is being organized with the help of the Vietnam Resource Group, a private consulting firm formed in 1994 to help U.S. companies identify and develop business opportunities in Vietnam.
VRG Managing Partner Trung Trinh said the trip is open primarily to small and medium-sized companies looking to find sourcing opportunities in Vietnam. A key goal is to help them identify niche manufacturers that can help provide products and styles they may not be able to obtain from China.
“We want to focus on special projects such as antique reproduction furniture,” he said, noting that Vietnam can’t compete with China in areas involving mass production. “We can compete in handicraft and manual work.”
To cover the three distinct commercial areas of the country, the trip will include visits to Hanoi to the north, Da Nang in the central coastal area, and Ho Chi Minh City to the south. The organizers also are planning a series of trade and investment conferences in each of these areas.
“I just want to keep the momentum going,” said Trung, who also plans to be in Las Vegas this week along with a group of Vietnamese furniture makers observing the market.
The organizers also will set up meetings between participants and Vietnamese companies as well as a group of networking events aimed at introducing the different parties.
The deadline to register is Sept. 15, 2007. Excluding international airfare, the trip costs $2,450 per participant. A 10% discount is available to those who register and pay in full by Sept. 1.
There is also a $200 charge per person for each of the trade and investment conferences held in the different regions.
For more information, or to register, contact VRG Managing Partner Trung Trinh, in Washington, at (202) 271-8200, or Bill Benton, the group’s West Coast representative in California, at (714) 265-7969.
Additional information is also available by e-mailing vietgroupusa@vietgroup.-
net or by visiting www.vietgroup.net.
August 6th, 2007
Thomas Russell
Event set for Oct. 7-14 WASHINGTON — The U.S. Vietnam Chamber of Commerce is organizing a trade mission to Vietnam this fall.
The trip will be held from Oct. 7-14 and will include a visit to the International Handicraft and Furniture Expo in Ho Chi Minh City. Held from Oct. 10-14, the fair will have some 800 booths showcasing furniture and handicrafts made in Vietnam.
The trip is open to different industries that source in Vietnam, such as the textile and the shoe industries. But with the planned visit to the Expo, furniture also plays an important role.
The visit is being organized with the help of the Vietnam Resource Group, a private consulting firm formed in 1994 to help U.S. companies identify and develop business opportunities in Vietnam.
VRG Managing Partner Trung Trinh said the trip is open primarily to small and medium-sized companies looking to find sourcing opportunities in Vietnam. A key goal is to help them identify niche manufacturers that can help provide products and styles they may not be able to obtain from China.
“We want to focus on special projects such as antique reproduction furniture,” he said, noting that Vietnam can’t compete with China in areas involving mass production. “We can compete in handicraft and manual work.”
To cover the three distinct commercial areas of the country, the trip will include visits to Hanoi to the north, Da Nang in the central coastal area, and Ho Chi Minh City to the south. The organizers also are planning a series of trade and investment conferences in each of these areas.
“I just want to keep the momentum going,” said Trung, who also plans to be in Las Vegas this week along with a group of Vietnamese furniture makers observing the market.
The organizers also will set up meetings between participants and Vietnamese companies as well as a group of networking events aimed at introducing the different parties.
The deadline to register is Sept. 15, 2007. Excluding international airfare, the trip costs $2,450 per participant. A 10% discount is available to those who register and pay in full by Sept. 1.
There is also a $200 charge per person for each of the trade and investment conferences held in the different regions.
For more information, or to register, contact VRG Managing Partner Trung Trinh, in Washington, at (202) 271-8200, or Bill Benton, the group’s West Coast representative in California, at (714) 265-7969.
Additional information is also available by e-mailing vietgroupusa@vietgroup.-
net or by visiting www.vietgroup.net.
August 6th, 2007
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