Archive for August 15th, 2007
Quebec manufacturer of bedroom furniture AP Industries announced the introduction of its new Treasure collection, new mary-kateandashley Home Essentials collection, and the introduction of 12 new two-tone finishes – at the ABC Kids Expo in Las Vegas. The mary-kateandashley Home Essentials collection was first unveiled at the High Point International Home Furnishing Market last spring, but is being presented to baby specialty stores for the first time.
Two-tone finishes: Two-tone finishes are a new concept at AP Industries that will provide customers with a wider range of choice and a more personalized touch. The company has combined their best colors to create 12 new looks from smooth and romantic, to traditional country… to urban chic! These rich new finishes added to the 19 regular finishes already available means that consumers now have more ways to create their very own, unique bedroom style.
Treasure collection: AP Industries has introduced Treasure as part of its Generations brand. This new collection, the company says, “is perfect for boys of all ages and features a number of new items, including an entertainment unit, media center, lingerie chest with doors, and new bookcase headboard bed.”
A new Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen collection: This new Home Essentials collection was designed for both youngsters and adults. It features many items including beds, night stands, chests, dressers, computer desk, hutch, lingerie chest, door chest and armoires, this collection has everything needed to create a perfect stylish room. Each piece features the special Ashley and Mary-Kate signature plate. Other features include safety rounded corners, roller glides to keep drawers in place, and environmentally-friendly non-toxic finishes. AP Industries is offering 3 new finishes to add a lovely, feminine touch to our mary-kateandashley collections: Pink Carnation, Lilac and Robin’s Egg. These beautiful new pastel colors are available exclusively through mary-kateandashley dealers. A list of dealers can be found under the new Home Essentials section of the AP Industries website at: www.apindustries.com
Founded in 1950 by Arthur Houde, AP Industries is a manufacturer of bedroom furniture for all age groups, from baby to adult, that can be adapted as children grow from toddlers to teens. Each piece of furniture is made from only the finest quality solid birch and richly grained birchwood veneer and before delivery undergoes one of the most stringent quality inspections in the industry. Over the years, AP Industries has earned its place as a major player in the bedroom furniture industry.
August 15th, 2007
Macy’s, Inc. announced that it plans to open a new, state-of-the-art distribution center in Minooka, IL, approximately 50 miles southwest of Chicago. The facility, initially employing an estimated 210 full- and part-time associates, is scheduled to open in early spring 2008. It will be operated by the Macy’s Logistics and Operations division.
As the new, 850,000-square-foot facility in Minooka is phased-in, Macy’s will phase out operations at its existing distribution center on Diversey Avenue in Chicago, which is expected to close in spring 2008.
“The Minooka site was selected following an exhaustive search of potential locations in Chicago and the surrounding region. We are proud to have elected to keep this facility in the state of Illinois and the Chicago area,” said Macy’s, Inc. Vice Chair Tom Cole. “We had very specific requirements for purchasing an existing facility that would be highly efficient and could move a larger volume of goods more quickly to the sales floors of our stores.
“Minooka represented an optimal combination of easy access to interstate transportation networks serving the region and the near-term availability of a large, one-story distribution facility with room for expansion to serve future needs of our rapidly expanding direct-to-consumer businesses,” Cole said.
Macy’s, Inc. has signed an agreement with Opus North Corporation for the purchase of the newly built facility on 48.6 acres at 600 Mid Point Rd. in Minooka.
“While our current Chicago distribution center - which contains 1.55 million square feet spread over six stories of a building developed in stages since the 1930s - has served the company well for decades, it is antiquated and inefficient for moving merchandise to meet current standards in the retailing industry. We remain deeply committed to the Chicago community, and believe that the current distribution center location on Diversey Avenue makes the site conducive to redevelopment. We intend to offer the property and building for sale and to work cooperatively with the city of Chicago to find a buyer who will pursue a productive re-use for the community,” Cole said.
The Macy’s North furniture clearance store currently located in the distribution center will be relocated to leased space in a retail center near Fox Valley Mall in Aurora, IL. The new furniture clearance store, expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2007, will employ about 10 associates, the same number as the current Chicago furniture clearance center.
Approximately 350 workers currently are employed at the existing distribution center and furniture clearance center at 4000 West Diversey Ave. in Chicago. Macy’s will offer employment to as many workers as possible elsewhere in the company.
Those who cannot be accommodated or who choose not to accept other positions will be eligible for severance and outplacement assistance. Aside from the distribution center, Macy’s, Inc. employs about 6,500 associates in the Greater Chicago metropolitan area, including about 2,400 in the city of Chicago.
Macy’s, Inc., with corporate offices in Cincinnati and New York, is one of the nation’s premier retailers, with fiscal 2006 sales of $27 billion. The company operates more than 850 department stores in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico under the names of Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s. The company also operates macys.com, bloomingdales.com and Bloomingdale’s By Mail. Prior to June 1, 2007, Macy’s, Inc. was known as Federated Department Stores, Inc.
August 15th, 2007
Furniture Today,
Company aiming to build Southeast business
MOKENA, Ill. — Importer Ligo Products, one of the early exhibitors at the Tupelo Furniture Market, is returning for next week’s show.
Ligo has hired new sales representatives in the Southeast and wants to boost business in the region, said Dan Angus, senior vice president of sales and marketing.
The company will exhibit most of its hot-selling items, and offer market specials, in a 4,000-square-foot showroom in the Tupelo Building, space 4-4428, next to Powell Co.
Janice Coleman, the Tupelo market’s executive sales director, noted that dozens of new and/or returning exhibitors will be showing at the upcoming market, which runs Aug. 22-26. That includes Broyhill, Ekornes, Old Hickory and Leader International.
Tupelo Building 4 is becoming a strong venue for casual dining and small-scale furniture, she said, with Ligo joining Ashley, Cramco, Holland House and River Forks, in addition to Powell.
August 15th, 2007
By: Furniture World Magazine
Comfort Solutions by King Koil announced that it has signed E.S. Kluft & Company of Rancho Cucamonga, California as its licensee for a five state region in the western U.S. Effective January 1, 2008, the makers of the Aireloom® and Kluft Royal Standard™ will represent Comfort Solutions in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada and Utah.
“Having a company of this caliber join our organization is a tremendous asset,” said Dave Roberts, Comfort Solution’s President and COO. “Earl Kluft and his team have exceptional talent and experience that will help us grow the Comfort Solutions brands not only in the Western states, but will also help us globally. Their insight on product design and skill in the marketing of mattresses provides us with opportunities to offer better and more unique programs to our retail dealers, all of which will help increase retail dealer sales and profitability.”
“We have enjoyed great success,” said company founder and CEO Earl Kluft, “with our Aireloom and Kluft brands, which are targeted to the upper end and ultra luxury markets. At the same time we have watched the growth and development over the last five years of Comfort Solutions and believe they are the up-and-coming company with tremendous opportunity. The synergies between what they have and what we can do will make this venture very successful.”
At this time the Aireloom and Kluft brands will remain independent of Comfort Solutions. However, there is the possibility this could change in the future. “Right now, we are continuing with our plan to have Aireloom and Kluft brands sustain their position as an independent, tightly controlled entity,” Kluft said.
The strategic alliance between Comfort Solutions and E.S. Kluft will allow both companies to maximize mutual opportunities both domestically and worldwide, says Roberts. “Earl and his team have done a magnificent job in developing the highest quality of luxury bedding. Aireloom and Kluft stand above any other luxury mattress brand.”
Roberts also noted the Kluft addition to the Comfort Solutions group will only add to the tremendous growth Comfort Solutions has enjoyed over the last five years. It will give the company a much stronger presence in the western United States and provide for more focus and stronger service, particularly in California.
Comfort Solutions by King Koil is the seventh largest bedding manufacturer in North America. Its products are also manufactured, marketed and sold in over 50 countries worldwide. Established for over 100 years, the company produces high quality mattresses and foundations. Comfort Solutions is also the domestic supplier for the Laura Ashley Home Mattress Collection. For more info call (630) 230-9744, or go to: www.comfortsolutions.com.
August 15th, 2007
Filed under: General, Home, Helpful Info, Family, Decorating by author |
In general, the furniture industry builds furniture to last for three to eight years. I design and build heirloom furniture to last for many generations. In general, the furniture industry builds for the masses. I design and build for those who can afford me to do what I truly love to do. My furniture is a Divine Spark, a manifestation of the Holy Spirit. I am grateful to be the instrument of those blessings.
If custom furniture built to last appeals to you look at www.divinesparkcustomfurniture.com
August 15th, 2007
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