Archive for August, 2010
August 20th, 2010 at 07:00am
Under Furniture News
Kindel Furniture, a manufacturer of high end case goods and one of the last furniture producer in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has merged with the Taylor Co., a wood component and furniture supplier. The merger will combine the craftsmanship and designs of Kindel with the automated manufacturing processes of Taylor. According to officials, the merger is anticipated to help strengthen the brand.
“This is textbook example of how two companies with complementary business structures can merge to create a much stronger corporation,” said James Fisher, the current CEO of Kindel, who will be the company’s chairman once the merger is finalized. “Kindel is providing the reputation earned over the past 109 years, experience and techniques of old-world craftsmanship, designs and licenses, and customer relationships,” he added. “The Taylor Co. is contributing advanced techniques in woodworking and modern business methods that will make Kindel much more ‘custom capable,’ which is the inescapable trend in fine furniture buying today.”
Over the next several months, Kindel will be moving its operations from the current 170,000 square foot facility to the 92,000 square foot Taylor facility in Grand Rapids. Taylor Co. also owns Superior Furniture, a producer of high end bedroom and occasional furniture. And, they own Taylor Millwork, a producer of exterior and interior doors and cabinets.
By MCC
August 19th, 2010 at 07:00am
Under Furniture News
For the first fiscal quarter of the year La-Z-Boy reported a net loss of $195,000. The upholstery and case good manufacturer cited the rising costs of raw materials and shipping delays from Asia and Mexico. The disruptions in supply resulted in the largest impact hitting the upholstery segment which saw a margin slip to % percent.
“Our results for the quarter were impacted by a confluence of factors,” said Kurt Darrow, president and CEO. “These issues, including higher raw material costs, supply chain disruptions, storms which delayed shipping from our Mexico cut-and-sew operation and inefficiencies in Mexico as we transition all custom cut-and-sewn product from our U.S. operations, have abated somewhat and are not anticipated to impact our results throughout the remainder of the year to the extent they did this quarter.”
Darrow said that delays in shipping cut and sew kits to their U.S. factories from Mexico were caused by flooding from Hurrican Alex. To make matters worse, Asian suppliers were delayed in shipping fabrics. “Although there were many factors in the first quarter affecting our ability to run our operations with normal efficiencies, most of them are behind us,” Darrow said. “We are seeing an easing in raw material pricing and are in a better in-stock position with cover as the supply chain disruptions are being minimized.”
By MCC
August 18th, 2010 at 10:30pm
Under Furniture News
Jane Seymour, actress, designer, artist and author will be hosting the 22nd annual American Furniture Hall of Fame Induction Banquet in High Point. The banquet will be held during the High Point Market on October 17. Industry Fellows that will be recognized for their contributions, accomplishments and leadership in the industry include Gerald Birnbach, Manuel Capo and Darrell and Stella Harris.
“Jane is passionate about design and home furnishings,” said Jeff Cook, president of the Hall of Fame Foundation. “Her elegance will make the evening more memorable as we honor our new Industry Fellows and celebrate the accomplishments of the visionary leaders of our industry.”
Seymour, who has teamed with AICO CEO Michael Amini to create a licensed furniture line for that company, added, “It will be an honor to be in the company of such creative people who have inspired me to work in an industry that I love, which has made such an impact on our daily lives.”
The deadline to make reservations for the banquet is October 1. The tickets are $125 and can be purchased online Furniture Hall of Fame. You can also purchase tickets by email or by contacting the Hall of Fame Foundation directly.
Email: banquet@furniturehalloffame.com
Phone: 336-882-5900
By MCC
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