Cabinet Maker articles from April 2003

Cabinet Maker archives from April 2003

LFC set to open today.(London Furniture Company)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2003... Furniture Village was due to open its upmarket London Furniture Company store in central London today (4 April). As Cabinet Maker went to press, the chain was putting the finishing touches to the 25,000sqft outlet. The store is...

Iraq war is taking its toll on furniture sales.(Brief Article)
April 4, 2003... The Iraq war is hitting furnishers' sales as uncertainty keeps shoppers away from stores. A Cabinet Maker poll has found that many retailers have experienced a steep fall off in trade since the outbreak of the war on 20 March. `The day...

Comment: Put your faith in Easter.(consumer confidence trends )(Brief Article)
April 4, 2003... Hang on to your hat, the rollercoaster is in full swing. Consumer confidence has been hit by uncertainty over the war with Iraq (see above), impending National Insurance and Council Tax rises and worries about the housing market. ...

Receiver stabilising Licentia for a sale.(Brief Article)
April 4, 2003... Flatpack bedroom and kitchen manufacturer Licentia has gone into administrative receivership. Accountant Grant Thornton was appointed receiver last Friday (28 March). Mike Saville, Grant Thornton partner said he had received interest...

Sales fall again.(furniture and floor covering industry sales in March, 2003)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2003... March was the second successive month that furniture and floorcovering retailers experienced a fall in year on year sales growth. A balance of 18% of stores saw sales volume fall, according to the CBI Distributive Trades Survey. It compared...

Hypnos to expand showroom.(Brief Article)
April 4, 2003... Hypnos is expanding its showroom to include a dedicated bedroom cabinet and bedstead section. The new space will open by mid-April. It will be located downstairs from the existing Princes Risborough showroom. Some 15 bedsteads will be...

John Gordon - Appointment.(names Jane Wilkinson export sales manager)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2003... Curtain and fabric firm John Gordon has appointed Jane Wilkinson as export sales manager. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

In-toto - Appointment.(hires Steve Saunders)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2003... Kitchen chain In-toto has recruited Steve Saunders as southern area franchise manager. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

National Bed Federation - Appointment.(Brief Article)
April 4, 2003... The National Bed Federation has elected Ilyas Patel as chairman. Patel is Vogue Beds director of operations. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Hanes International - Appointment.(Hanes International UK chooses Natalie Armistead as northern sales executive)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2003... Textile manufacturer Hanes International UK has named Natalie Armistead as northern sales executive. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

New deal increases Ercol's Far East business.(Brief Article)
April 4, 2003... In a trend-defying move, UK cabinet and upholstery manufacturer Ercol is increasing its exports to the Far East, with a new contract to supply Japanese 14-store chain Daniel. Expected to launch in-store in the summer, Ercol has set a target...

Regulations boost Qualitas.(Brief Article)
April 4, 2003... Retailers are joining Qualitas so they can get advice on the new Sale of Consumer Goods Regulations that came into force last week. Sofa Workshop, Leekes and Rushden retailer Showhome Warehouse are among those that have joined recently. ...

The Sofa Shop scores a double.(Exclusive Designs wins DuPont Furniture Awards)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2003... The Sofa Shop scored a double success at this week's DuPont Furniture Awards with its Exclusive Designs brand. The `very commercial' Isobelle three-seater won the Traditional category. Its Victoria large sofa was the winner of the...

Corndell management moves.(names Robin Clark as non-executive chairman)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2003... Corndell has reshuffled its management with Robin Clark becoming non- executive chairman. After 19 years as md, Clark was keen to take more of a behind the scenes role at the cabinet firm. Brian Ahern, who has been sales director since...

City: Selfridges on record high after recent low.(Brief Article)
April 4, 2003... Selfridges bounced back from the recent low, gaining 15% (26p) on record pre-tax profits. The Oxford Street store is trading steadily, despite terrorist fears and the closure of the local Underground line. A third provincial store will open...

O&L looks set to go private.(Osborne & Little)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2003... Fabric and wallcovering manufacturer Osborne & Little could be taken private by its management. Meanwhile, a downturn in UK and US sales will lead to it making a loss for the year. The firm said that certain of its five executive...

Share Update on 31 March 2003.(building materials sectory securities prices)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
April 4, 2003... Share Update on 31 March Bold=new High/Low Now Change Change High Low over since 2 weeks 1 Jan Retailers...

New business guide.(from DTI )(Brief Article)
April 4, 2003... Described as the first single reference point for company information, the DTI has published a guide to setting up a new business. The No Nonsense Guide includes the pros and cons of different business structures, tax, national insurance,...

Ikea's early Christmas present.(building store in Cardiff)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2003... Ikea could open its first Cardiff store before Christmas - four months ahead of schedule. Work on the 280,000sqft branch began in January and could be completed by November. It was due to open in spring 2004. `The construction work is...

Tax dispute prompts Al Fayed to quit Britain.(Mohamed Al Fayed, owner of Harrods)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2003... Mohamed Al Fayed, Harrods owner has moved to Switzerland, after claiming he was being singled out by the Inland Revenue when it ended his tax paying regime. Al Fayed paid #240,000 a year in income tax rather than an amount calculated on...

SHOP WINDOW: ISLE MILL.
April 4, 2003... Isle Mill has launched its first Fusion collection on contemporary weaves. The textured range will include felt, heavy linen, chenille, cotton hopsack and double layered sheers. Contact Isle Mill on 01476 568935 Copyright: CMP...

SHOP WINDOW: VOGUE.
April 4, 2003... The Active Perimeter Zone System from Vogue Beds keeps the perimeter of the mattress firmer with harder coils positioned around the edge. The system is available in the Majestyk and Henley ranges. Contact Vogue Beds on 01455 841257 ...

SHOP WINDOW: KETTAL.
April 4, 2003... The Gaudi range of cast aluminium garden and conservatory chairs from Kettal are versatile pieces which can be used both indoors and out. Contact Kettal on 00 34 934879090 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW: ZAPHIRE.
April 4, 2003... Award winning fabric house Zaphire has produced a range of unusual fabric concepts designed by Andria Zafirakou. Contact Zaphire on 020 82055358 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW: CONNECT.
April 4, 2003... The Hercules love seats from Connect are part of a range of Vift upholstered furniture from Holland. The chairs are particularly useful for small living rooms. Contact Connect by John Foreman on 01858 464200 Copyright: CMP Information...

Coping with double dealing.(what to do when designs are copied)
April 4, 2003... Emma Brown explains what your rights are if your designs have been copied The problem I am a furniture manufacturer and produce a particular style of armchair which is upholstered in our signature fabric. On paying a visit to a...

World of choice.(trends in living room furniture )
April 4, 2003... Furniture options for the living room have never been more diverse, with ethnic, traditional and modern all in the mix, reports Liam O'Brien The TV makeover programme has never been more popular. Few are the evenings when you are unable to...

Content for the people.
April 4, 2003... Sir Terence Conran's joint venture with Christie-Tyler has enabled him to get his designs to the mass market, reports Alison Gay It's remarkable how long it takes to launch a range of products. Now three months since the fanfare of the...

Whetting the palette.(new furniture and fabrics on display at Chelsea)
April 4, 2003... Chelsea was the place to be to experience a rainbow of colours for the latest furniture and fabrics, reports Stephanie Baum Companies heralded the first full week of spring and London Design Week by throwing open the doors of new and...

FIRST PERSON STEVE PEAURT: High tech team player.(Interview)
April 4, 2003... How did you get started in business? Business life began for me after an electronics degree that led me into the computer business, first hardware then software. After many years and some international experience, in 1985 I became md of a...

Furniture Village opens.(Brief Article)
April 11, 2003... Furniture Village opened its upmarket London Furniture Company store last weekend. The Sloane Square outlet covers 25,000sqft over two floors. Products stocked include Hulsta, Kenzo, Alma, Canovas, Oliver Desforges and Drexel Heritage. ...

Ducal opens a door for rivals.(Brief Article)
April 11, 2003... Ducal has given rival cabinet firms a four month window of opportunity to convince retailers to ditch Ducal in favour of them. Ducal is closing its Andover and Bridgend factories on 6 July. Some 520 staff will lose their jobs, including...

COMMENT: A gap too large to plug?(Brief Article)
April 11, 2003... Well it's finally happened. I have previously said in this column that there would come a time when UK firms would close their UK factories, move production overseas and only maintain a design and sales function here. And Ducal is doing just...

Firms are hopeful despite pessimism.(Brief Article)
April 11, 2003... Optimism among British furniture manufacturers for business in the coming months has fallen. A balance of 17% of firms are pessimistic about business until the end of June, according to the BFM State of Trade Survey.This compared with 5%...

Royal furniture in the making.(Brief Article)
April 11, 2003... The Queen is to move into the furniture business by providing Caledonian pine from the Balmoral Estate to a furniture company. An industrial unit in nearby Ballater has been rented by the estate which is now looking for a firm to occupy it....

Employee embezzled from MFI.(Brief Article)
April 11, 2003... An MFI employee has been found guilty of embezzling almost #2,000 from the chain's Bridge of Don store in Aberdeen. Andrew Murray stole #1,918 between October 2001 and July 2002 from the Denmore Road outlet. Murray, who has previous...

Scheme deferred.(Brief Article)
April 11, 2003... A Kent furniture store has been given a potential lifeline after a redevelopment decision was deferred. Sevenoaks pine and garden furniture retailer Ideas Furniture was told by its landlord that the High Street block it trades from needs to...

Stokers makes a large impression in Leeds.(Brief Article)
April 11, 2003... Stokers will open the doors to its 80,000sqft Christopher Pratts store in Leeds tomorrow (12 April). `We wanted to be dominant and for people to find us easily,' said Graham Schofield, buying director, of the prominent location of the...

Infinity storage bed award.(Brief Article)
April 11, 2003... Jay-Be's Infinity storage bed was the winner of the Best Furniture Range category in Your Home magazine's 2003 awards. Linda Barker, Jeff Banks and Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen were among the judges. The design also won The Furniture Awards' beds...

Marks & Spencer homewares sales spring ahead by 9.3%.(Brief Article)
April 11, 2003... Homewares sales accelerated during the spring at Marks & Spencer, although furniture growth was small. The 335 store chain reported a 9.3% increase in homewares sales for the 11 weeks to 29 March. The quarterly increase of sales...

Kingstown jobs boost.(Brief Article)
April 11, 2003... Kingstown Furniture is to increase staff numbers by 10% to 380 - its largest workforce since its foundation in 1976. After increasing sales by #7m to #27m in the past year, the cabinet firm expects to add #4m of sales in the coming year....

Expo update: Familiarity breeds success at High Point.(Brief Article)
April 11, 2003... A return to classic and traditional design themes was the order of the day at the International Home Furnishings Market at High Point (3-9 April). The move was designed to provide ranges that evoked a sense of comfort and familiarity for...

MFI will fight #28m VAT bill.(Brief Article)
April 11, 2003... MFI has said it will fight the #28.5m VAT bill it has received from Customs & Excise over guarantee sales. MFI saved #9.1m last year by paying the 5% Insurance Premium Tax on structural guarantees rather than VAT at 17.5%. Customs...

Watercolour challenge.(Brief Article)
April 11, 2003... Keen Replicas has relaunched its www.keenpine.co.uk website, allowing users to search by product type as well as range. The products are shown as watercolours rather than photographs. This is to prevent its designs being copied. Mike...

Big chance for Manchester show.(Brief Article)
April 11, 2003... July's Manchester Furniture Show could be 13% larger than last year's event. Some 10% of the main G-Mex Centre hall remains unsold and the organiser has added another 1,000sqm. If this is sold, it would increase the event to 8,500sqm....

A new beginning or the end of the line for Ducal stockists?(Brief Article)
April 11, 2003... As Ducal moved to close its UK factories and drop its current catalogue, Liam O'Brien asked stockists why things had gone so wrong Ducal stockists have reacted with alarm at the pine cabinet furniture and upholstery manufacturer's decision...

Losing direction and a family formula.(Brief Article)
April 11, 2003... Geoffrey Wiseman's decision in November 2000 to sell Ducal for #15m marked the beginning of the firm's difficulties, according to stockists spoken to by Cabinet Maker. Most Ducal retailers questioned said the Andover business seemed to...

DUPONT FURNITURE AWARDS SHOP WINDOW: VICTORIA.
April 11, 2003... In the Classic category, the Victoria Large Sofa from Exclusive Designs - The Sofa Shop was awarded the prize for a well-proportioned and comfortable sofa. Contact Exclusive Designs - The Sofa Shop on 01773 741700 Copyright: CMP...

DUPONT FURNITURE AWARDS SHOP WINDOW: CLASSIC.
April 11, 2003... The Vienna two-seater sofabed from Classic Upholstery won the DuPont award for the best sofa or sofabed of compact dimensions. Contact Classic Upholstery on 01384 445546 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

DUPONT FURNITURE AWARDS SHOP WINDOW: GASCOIGNE.
April 11, 2003... The Lexington 3.5 seater sofa from Gascoigne Designs won the Luxury category of the DuPont Furniture Awards. Contact Gascoigne Designs on 0115 9464070 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

DUPONT FURNITURE AWARDS SHOP WINDOW: ISOBELLE.
April 11, 2003... The Isobelle three-seater sofa from Exclusive Designs - The Sofa Shop, won the Traditional award for a sofa offering comfort and traditional styling. Contact Exclusive Designs on 01773 7841700 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

DUPONT FURNITURE AWARDS SHOP WINDOW: RICHARD BUTLER.
April 11, 2003... The Contemporary award was given to Jackson by Richard Butler & Co. Contact Richard Butler & Co on 0161 7076700 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

IFFS/ASEAN: Eastern promise.
April 11, 2003... The design competitions demonstrated the shape of Asian furniture to come while what's on offer now was shown by the International Furniture Fair Singapore/Asean Furniture Show, reports Andrew Kidd The theme of the design competitions -...

IFFS/ASEAN: Young Designers.
April 11, 2003... Among the Young Designers category, Eastern influences were far more apparent, reducing their mass European appeal. Goh Ray Vees's winning Screen chair offered a sense of privacy with its nine vertical slats, inspired by the screens...

IFFS/ASEAN: Adding solid value.
April 11, 2003... Koda was among those firms with an almost permanently crowded stand. So much so that it doubled last year's at show sales, taking orders worth #1.9m. The firm expanded its leather offering with the Chagall range. A coordinating bedroom...

CEBU: Small but perfectly formed.(Brief Article)
April 11, 2003... Cebu may be a small show but it makes up for this with interesting designs. Cabinet Maker provides an overview of some of the exhibition's highlights Now in its 14th year, the Cebu International Furniture & Furnishings Exhibition in the...

MIFF: Decision time.(Malaysian International Furniture Fair)(Malaysian Furniture Export Exhibition)
April 11, 2003... Malaysia must solve the problem of its two clashing furniture shows - MIFF and MAFEX - but how it will turn out remains unclear. Andrew Kidd reports It's highly unlikely the topic of furniture exhibitions has been discussed around Tony...

MIFF: Waves of quality.(Brief Article)
April 11, 2003... Timber Tone was among the companies investing in design and better quality products rather than the mass market, `me too' designs prevalent at Kuala Lumpur. Inspired by waves, the Surf bedstead features a low wavy edge on the sides....

High commission.(Brief Article)
April 11, 2003... There's no shortage of takers for Arthur Brett's bespoke service for quality furniture, reports Jane Oliphant In a market increasingly driven by fashion, it is an unusual company whose sales story goes something like `still doing what...

First person: Young and in vogue.(Interview)
April 11, 2003... EBRAHIM PATEL Vogue Beds co-founder Ebrahim Patel attended Huddersfield College. In 1986 he moved to Leicester where he worked as a transport assistant in a distribution company. Ebrahim started bed manufacturer Vogue Beds in 1990 at...

Czulowski's plan sees faster delivery and more launches.(Cornwell Parker PLC's Mary Czulowski discusses brand placement)
April 18, 2003... Nathan, Stag and Ducal will have four range launches a year, under the new strategy of Mary Czulowski, Cornwell Parker Cabinet md. Nathan is to become a contemporary cabinet brand, Stag a modern mass market brand and Ducal will use woods...

COMMENT: High price of design.(Salone del Mobile show)(Brief Article)
April 18, 2003... Joining the throngs of design pilgrims to the world's Mecca of furniture innovation and style, Milan's Salone del Mobile, delivered everything that was expected. I am now thoroughly inspired by furniture design and the Italian way of doing...

Kitchen market faces a cooling down.(AMA Research UK Domestic Kitchen Furniture Market report)(Brief Article)
April 18, 2003... The UK kitchen market will see no real growth over the next three years. Growth in the market will decline each year from now to 2006, with below inflation rises. Sales are forecast to rise by 2.1% this year to #1.092bn (at MSP),...

Betteridge wins battle over damaged deliveries.(Peter Betteridge v. ASBI )(Brief Article)
April 18, 2003... An 18 month legal battle between Peter Betteridge and importer ASBI over damaged deliveries has ended in favour of the Devon retailer. Six months after it ordered a range of Chinese-made home office furniture at The Furniture Show in 1999,...

In-toto - Appointments.(Sarah and Tony Ennis become franchisees)(Brief Article)
April 18, 2003... In-toto has named Sarah and Tony Ennis as franchisees for Woking. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Igoe Furniture - Appointment.(Jean Walker )(Brief Article)
April 18, 2003... Igoe Furniture has appointed Jean Walker as sales administration manager. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Burbidge - Appointment.(Amanda Akehurst )(Brief Article)
April 18, 2003... Burbidge has named Amanda Akehurst as Southern area sales manager. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Ekornes UK - Appointment.(Svein Lunde)(Brief Article)
April 18, 2003... Svein Lunde, Ekornes UK md, has become international marketing manager. He has been succeeded by Jo Bjerke. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Retailer demands recall of headboards.(Perfect Nights demands Highgate Beds recall)(Brief Article)
April 18, 2003... Eastbourne bed retailer Perfect Nights has demanded that Highgate Beds recall a range of headboards it supplies because they fail the flammability regulations. The fabric cover of a #19.95 Snooze Boomerang Blue headboard failed the match...

Deal for Top Knobs.(Express Handles buys stock and designs )(Brief Article)
April 18, 2003... The stock and designs of handles firm Top Knobs have been bought by some of the firm's former management. Express Handles has been formed by Marina Heath, md; Debbie Teasdale, sales director; and Ann Chambers, head of customer relations....

Martin & Frost hails a cab campaign.(Brief Article)
April 18, 2003... Edinburgh retailer Martin & Frost chose the city's black cabs for its latest advertising campaign. The taxis appear to show the passenger and driver relaxing on a sofa and chair. The roof shows a couple curled up on a sofa watching TV. ...

Peter Ruddiman.(Brief Article)
April 18, 2003... Peter Ruddiman, founder of furniture importer P Ruddiman died on 14 April, aged 73. Ruddiman founded the firm in 1966 and stepped down as chairman two years ago. The funeral is on 24 April, at The Holy Trinity Church, Trinity Street,...

Margins boosted by a 10th.(Collins and Hayes)(Brief Article)
April 18, 2003... Upholstery firm Collins and Hayes has boosted margins by almost a 10th in the past year. Operating margin climbed from 13.5% to 14.7%, maintaining pre-tax profits at #2.7m. Sales dipped by 8.5% to #23.2m. The East Sussex firm has...

City: Selfridges soars as Hunter makes a bid.(Tom Hunter)(Brief Article)
April 18, 2003... Selfridges soared 33% (79p) in a day, following a bid approach from Scottish entrepreneur Tom Hunter, at a `substantial premium' to the previous day's 224p closing price. Hunter, who failed to buy Allders and House of Fraser, may again be...

The right Avenue for Dorma brand.(Avenue Holdings' planned acquisition of Coats PLC)(Brief Article)
April 18, 2003... The investment firms bidding to buy Dorma and Vantona parent Coats for #414m have said they will keep the furnishings brands if the deal goes through. Avenue Holdings told threads group Coats that it wants to develop the bedlinen firms....

Share Update on 14 April 2003.
April 18, 2003... Share Update on 14 April 2003 Bold=new High/Low Now Change Change 2003 2003 over since High Low 2 weeks ...

Expo update: TITLE.
April 18, 2003... Dressed in red for Salone Internazionale del Mobile, Edra's stand epitomises the spirit of this show by being forerunners in creating design icons. The red Masso featured here is a large fibreglass form, pushing the boundaries of design. ...

Budget stamps a property problem on retailers.
April 18, 2003... Retailers could face higher property costs if they lease stores thanks to measures announced by Chancellor Gordon Brown in last week's Budget. Companies will be liable to a stamp duty of 1% of the net value of the lease to expiry - the...

SHOP WINDOW: STUDIO SANDERSON.
April 18, 2003... The colours in Studio Sanderson's Iridescence collection have been inspired by the translucency of semi-precious stones and the jewel-like qualities of moonstone, jade and amethyst. Contact Studio Sanderson on 01895 830038 Copyright:...

SHOP WINDOW: CONNECT.
April 18, 2003... The rustic Cadiz solid poplar table and beech chairs from Czech Republic firm Bonaco is available through Connect by John Foreman. Contact Connect by John Foreman on 01858 464200 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW: MADE ON EARTH.
April 18, 2003... Combining mahogany with a walnut finish, Made on Earth's Mazena bedroom and dining room cabinet collection blends pan-Asian influences with Scandinavian-style modernism. Contact Made on Earth on 0117 9676650 Copyright: CMP Information...

SHOP WINDOW: BURBIDGE.
April 18, 2003... Adding to its natural oak and cream finishes, Burbidge has added a natural birch finish to its Waverley kitchen frontals and accessories range. Contact Burbidge on 0247 6671600 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW: LIGNA.
April 18, 2003... Voyager is the first range Ligna Furniture has developed for the UK market, designed by Julian Thompson. It combines rattan with beech or cherry mahogany. Tables have glass tops and sofas high backs and rattan scrolled arms. Contact Ligna...

Bunk beds: Double decker dangers.(safety )
April 18, 2003... Make sure the bunk beds in your store meet legal requirements, says Ben Pearce The problem Bunk beds have been a favourite with children and parents for many years, they have also been responsible for a considerable number of...