Archive for September, 2009
September 30th, 2009 at 07:00am
Under Furniture News
Harden Mfg. a case goods manufacturer has purchased certain assets of the domestic wooden bedroom manufacturer, Rhino Rooms. Beginning today, Harden will be producing Rhino products at the Haleyville, Alabama location. According to a local newspaper, Rhino had been having problems with bank loans.
The Rhino name will no longer be used and the line is expected to bring growth for Harden in the Northeast. Hardin’s strongest line is now in the Southeast. Some of the former Rhino pieces will be introduced at the upcoming High Point Market.
By MCC
September 28th, 2009 at 07:00am
Under Uncategorized
A new furniture store will soon be opening in the Portland, Oregon area. Mor Furniture For Less will be opening a 46,000 square foot store sometime in October. The Top 100 company has taken over the space that was previously the George Smith Appliance Warehouse.
Rick Haux, company chairman said that one of the reasons they decided to open a store in that location was because of the other stores that are in proximity to the bustling metro Portland area. The report stated that the store will be the first one that Mor’s has in the state. But, according to the company’s website, Mor Furniture For Less also operates a Bedroom Superstore in Portland.
Earlier in the year, a 32,000 square foot store was opened in Murrieta, California at the former Wickes Furniture location. The company had 15 stores last year that are spread over seven Western and Pacific Northwest states and generated an estimated $223.1 million last year.
By MCC
September 27th, 2009 at 07:00am
Under Furniture News
Maryland Court, a case goods manufacturer will be showing at the October High Point market for the first time. The North Carolina based company will be showing in the Suites At Market Square in space M-542. Finishes First Inc. established Maryland Court in 2003, which has made products for a number of clients including Ethan Allen and Thomasville.
Maryland Court manufacturers a line of beds, desks, entertainment centers and tables. Their furniture line also includes armoires, consoles and chests that have a European influence. Their pieces are hand made in Spruce Pine and includes woods such as cherry, walnut, alder, pine and beech.
The company is able to customize pieces to meet customers specifications by using around 35 different finishes on their products. Showing at the High Point Market is a big step for the company who has mainly sold through sales representatives that have worked from photographs.
By MCC
September 26th, 2009 at 03:28am
Under Furniture News
Just days after Steelcase announced it’s plans to open their third plant in Mexico, an announcement was made that no jobs would be lost in Michigan due to this decision. Jeanine Holquist, spokeswoman for Steelcase said that workers in Michigan would simply be reassigned to other jobs there.
The new plant will be manufacturing low volume seating products that are very labor intensive which will include a line of highly designed lounge chairs that are made for a small seating area or lobby. These products will be marketed in North America.
In a letter sent to employees, officials said that the new plant would improve the profitability on the line of seating and enable the affected plants to concentrate on their core product lines. It will also enable delivery with much lower shipping costs.
By MCC
September 25th, 2009 at 02:53am
Under Furniture News
Earlier this month, Steelcase Inc. announced that they will be opening a new chair manufacturing plant in Reynosa, Mexico early next year. This announcement came just a few weeks after Steelcase made the announcement of it’s plans to shut down their big Pyramid office building located in Gaines Township.
Vice president for the Steelcase’s North American operations, Hamid Khorramian said, “This will help us improve gross margins and allow the three affected plants to focus on their core product lines.” He also said that the new plant that will be located about 250 miles from San Antonio is ideally located to help them serve customers and control shipping costs.
This will be the third plant in Mexico for Steelcase Inc., they already have manufacturing plants in Tijuana and San Pedro Garza.
By MCC
September 23rd, 2009 at 07:00am
Under Furniture News
Jennifer Convertibles, Inc. recently announced that it has signed leases and will be opening two more Ashley Furniture HOmeStores in New York. One store will be located on Queens Boulevard in Elmhurst, Queens and the second store will be locacted on Route 110 in Framingdale, Long Island.
Harley J. Greenfield, Chief Executive Officer said, “We are very excited about expanding our network of Ashley Furniture HomeStore locations. Our Ashley division has been continuing to grow, producing about 15% of our revenue during our last fiscal quarter with increased profitability. By adding additional locations in the same geographical area, we expect to achieve economies of scale in all areas of our Ashley Furniture HomeStore model.”
Jennifer Convertibles is the licensor and owner of the largest group of sofabed retail stores in the United States. The company has 149 Jennifer Convertibles stores and is the largest retailer of specialty leather furniture with 14 Jennifer Leather stores.
By MCC
September 21st, 2009 at 07:00am
Under Furniture News
Addressing the concerns of a numerous amount of consumers regarding the exposure to chemicals from the products they buy, sustainable furnishings leader Harden Furniture, has announced it will debut it’s EcoOne furniture program at the Las Vegas Market this month.
The program will offer several optional materials that are free from potentially harmful chemicals. The company makes chemical free, sustainable options available for all the pieces of any of their upholstery designs for a standard upgrade charge.
Harden offers foam cushions that are either natural latex foam or BiOH soy based ingredients. Framing materials are made from SFI-Certified sustainable lumber that meets upcoming CARB requirements and features an ultra low emission of formaldehyde.
Since 2007, the company has been committed to offer a wide selection of upholstery fabrics that include organic cotton, bamboo, hemp and other materials made from post consumer recycled fibers. Leather products that are environmentally responsible and processed without any chromium and reduced water usage are also available.
By MCC
September 18th, 2009 at 07:00am
Under Furniture News
Roma Home Decor recently announced that it will unveil a whole new line of occasional and accent tables at this years Fall High Point Market. The pieces are beautifully crafted by Italian master artisans and border between function and design.
Each piece is characterized by the distinct visual contrast of precious materials. Materials include exotic veneer’s, marble, genuine wood finishes and high gloss polyester that are crafted onto sleek stainless steel and chrome bases.
With the addition of the new line of occasional and accent tables allows Roma to offer consumers a more comprehensive line of products. The line is designed in six contemporary collections that include Mio Mio, Tuboo, Sotto, Zooming, Nuit and Love Soul.
By MCC
September 17th, 2009 at 07:00am
Under Furniture News
With a two point rise in the furniture buying index, the level rebounded back to the same as in July. But, Chairman of America’s Research Group, Britt Beemer said, “Although the Furniture Buying Index rose slightly this month, it is well below the 70 point level retailers need to see strong traffic in their stores.”
“Consumer debt and stock market losses continue to haunt shoppers,” Beemer commented. “These and other negative influencers are forcing consumers not to shop for furniture at the present time,” he concluded. The Furniture Buying index is calculated each month by America’s Research Group and comes from interviews with between 5,000 and 8,000 consumers.
By MCC
September 15th, 2009 at 07:14am
Under Furniture News
Chintaly Imports will be launching a new upholstery division at next month’s High Point Market. Gary Zuckerman, industry veteran has signed on to be a consultant for the new division. His responsibilities include merchandising and marketing and design direction of what the company says will be a large collection of fabric and leather upholstery.
The company says that the goal of it’s newest venture will be to dovetail with the other product categories they currently have. Chintaly’s other categories include occasional furniture and some upholstery, but it is mainly a case goods provider.
Randy Graboski, vice president of sales and marketing said the addition of Zuckerman “During an incredible growth period for our company. We are confident that his leadership and expertise will help us grow this division dramatically. We’ve seen many of the new models and we’re so enthusiastic that we are expanding our showroom space in High Point to support the program.”
By MCC
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