Cabinet Maker articles from December 2002

Cabinet Maker archives from December 2002

Decoro/Coleman case begins.
December 6, 2002... The court battle between upholstery manufacturer Decoro and its former UK agent Stuart Coleman was continuing as Cabinet Maker went to press. The case began on Monday (2 December) at the High Court. Coleman, through his firm Tigana, is...

Conran teams up with C-T for new company.
December 6, 2002... Christie-Tyler is to launch the first mass market Sir Terence Conran designed range of furniture for more than a decade. The group will unveil Content by Conran at The Furniture Show next month. The company will be run by former Marks...

COMMENT: A name to be reckoned with.
December 6, 2002... The press release covering the creation of Content by Conran claimed its formation is the most important thing to happen to the UK furniture market for 30 years (see above). While this was probably taking it too far its impact on sales next...

Enter The Furniture Awards 2003 now.
December 6, 2002... Entry forms for The Furniture Awards 2003 are now available. There are six product awards up for grabs for manufacturers, along with the Consumer Marketing award open to retailers, manufacturers and associations. The product awards...

DFS sales warning.
December 6, 2002... DFS has warned that orders have slowed in recent weeks. Lord Kirkham, executive chairman, told shareholders at the chain's AGM `like for like sales in the first 17 weeks of the current financial year have continued to grow by over 7%,...

Hills to run And So To Bed in the New Year.
December 6, 2002... Andy Hills has been appointed md of bed retailer And So To Bed. Hills is currently buyer and group controller at the London Bed Company. He takes up his new position 1 January. `This is a great opportunity. It's always been my ambition...

Allders talks.
December 6, 2002... Allders has confirmed that following Minerva's bid for the company, it has received further approaches which the board is exploring. All the approaches are at a preliminary stage and no other offers have yet been made. Copyright: CMP...

Online progress.
December 6, 2002... The DTI International Benchmarking Study 2002 has shown that half of UK firms now order online and nearly a fifth pay online. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Safety convictions.
December 6, 2002... Almost 900 companies, organisations and individuals were convicted of health and safety offences last year, according to The Health & Safety Executive. Average fines increased by 39% to #12,194. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Entry request.
December 6, 2002... Entries are being requested for the DuPontSA Furniture Awards 2003. Entry is open to UK and Irish companies who use DuPont branded fibres. Tel: 01564 792 187. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Edenfield to be sold.
December 6, 2002... The Furnishing Trades Benevolent Association is to sell its Edenfield hotel in Lytham St Annes. It will replace the hotel with a scheme that enables members of the furnishings industry to tailor their convalescence and holiday breaks to...

Courts recovery plan on track.
December 6, 2002... Courts will continue to refocus its supplier base as part of its recovery plan. This was the message from Steven Cohen, Courts UK md, as he reported reduced first half losses. The chain had 150 core suppliers a year ago. Cohen said...

Ercol Keen on deal.
December 6, 2002... Ercol has bought a 51% stake in top end office furniture maker Keen. Edward Tadros, Ercol chairman, said he wanted to increase sales in the contract sector and the companies had a shared commitment to design. The rest of Keen's shares...

Relyon launches anti-allergen bed.
December 6, 2002... Relyon has freshened its range with a new bed incorporating Amicor Pure, a fibre with anti-bacterial and anti-fungal additives to provide dust mite protection. This move is part of an exclusive UK partnership for beds between Relyon and...

Profits soar in record year for ScS.
December 6, 2002... ScS enjoyed a record year as pre-tax profits jumped 27% to #9.8m. Turnover rose 35% to #97.8m in the year to 30 September as floorspace increased by 39%. Average order value was #1,400 and like for like sales rose by 2%. The...

Harrington resigns from Airsprung Beds.
December 6, 2002... Airsprung Beds md Stephen Harrington has resigned. He will remain at the firm for three to four months to help the hand over to his successor. `The board is disappointed at the situation but Stephen leaves amicably,' said Airsprung...

Board first for Cookes.
December 6, 2002... Cookes Furniture has appointed its first non-family members to the board. Craig Roylance was promoted from general manager to md and accountant David Cox has become financial director. Meanwhile, Cookes is to open a Renka Living...

More layoffs at Ducal's Andover factory.
December 6, 2002... Ducal is to cut more jobs at its Andover, Hampshire factory. The Silentnight Holdings subsidiary will make 49 staff redundant. Some 90 support and administration staff were made redundant in March this year. The company blamed...

Dreams - Appointment.
December 6, 2002... Dreams has appointed Greg Suthern as marketing director. He will join on 2 January from DFS, where he was advertising and marketing production manager. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

California Closets - Appointment.
December 6, 2002... California Closets has named former Beaver & Tapley production director, Robert Bryon as general manager. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

ISF Coatings - Appointments.
December 6, 2002... Chris Cubbit has become business development manager at ISF Coatings. Darren Slone has been promoted to key accounts manager. John Duff has become technical sales manager for Scotland and the North East. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Multimaster - Appointment.
December 6, 2002... Multimaster has appointed Kieran Haunch as business development manager. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Quitmann's Agency - Appointment.
December 6, 2002... Quitmann's Agency has appointed Steven Cole as agent. He will join in January. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Disappointing figures from Osborne & Little.
December 6, 2002... Fabric firm Osborne & Little has returned `disappointing' results for the first six months of the year. The previous loss of #308,000 was cut to #60,000 in the six months to 30 September but turnover dropped 6% to #16.9m. UK sales fell by...

Loans easier for retailers.
December 6, 2002... Retailers are now eligible for the DTI's Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme. Under the scheme, the Government guarantees to encourage banks to lend to firms they might ordinarily turn down. The changes take effect in April 2003 for firms...

Stores must gear up to singles explosion.
December 6, 2002... Furniture retailers and manufacturers will have more than five million extra single people to sell to across Europe by 2005. And many of the new singles will be older and have money to spend. According to a report by Datamonitor, the...

Harrods sales up again.
December 6, 2002... Harrods' like for like sales grew 5% in the nine months to the end of October. This compared with a fall of 2% in the year to 31 January 2002. Due to an extra week of trading, sales for the year rose #1m to #541m. Pre-tax profits...

SHOP WINDOW: CROWSON.
December 6, 2002... The Cedrino collection is a stylish range of chenilles in a versatile colour range. Belice is heavily textured horizontal stripe, Mazaro features a plain velvety pile, and Tursi sports a textured spot within a diamond motif. Contact...

SHOP WINDOW: VANTONA.
December 6, 2002... The latest spring collection from Vantona Bed includes this Memphis range of bedlinen which takes the look of distressed denim from the High Streets and puts it on the bed. Contact Vantona Bed on 0121 233 1130 Copyright: CMP...

SHOP WINDOW: LIMELIGHT.
December 6, 2002... Limelight Beds has relaunched with a new name and brand image and a broad range of products. Pictured here is the rustic Terran bed with clean lines and simple design. Contact Limelight Beds on 01455 850150 Copyright: CMP Information...

SHOP WINDOW: TURNSTYLE.
December 6, 2002... Turnstyle Designs has launched a range of cabinet pulls and knobs, designed to suit classic and contemporary furniture and combine leather with stainless steel, chrome, nickel and bronze. Contact Turnstyle Designs on 01271 325325 ...

SHOP WINDOW: PARKER KNOLL.
December 6, 2002... The recently launched Evesham is a comfortable fireside chair versatile enough to fit in a traditional setting, yet also has clean lines for a more contemporary home. Contact Parker Knoll on 08707429904 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Law and orders.
December 6, 2002... Pre-empting claims for compensation may be the best approach when terminating agreements with underperforming agents, advises Stephen Sidkin One of my commercial agents is under-performing and I want to terminate the arrangement I have...

Retail Intelligence.
December 6, 2002... The improved performance among furniture retailers since August developed further in October. Three-quarters of stores saw an increase in the value of sales compared to September. Just 12% saw a decline, producing a balance of +63%. ...

Home front.
December 6, 2002... Stephanie Baum takes a look at some of the products on offer in January Some 350 UK based companies are preparing to exhibit at the 11th instalment of The Furniture Show in January at the NEC Birmingham. An increasing number will offer...

Generations of service.
December 6, 2002... Quality is important to Elphicks of Huntingdon and its customers, who keep returning for more, reports James Millar There was a time when being the Prime Minister's furniture retailer of choice would have held a certain amount of kudos. ...

Furniture Village invests in young talent.
December 6, 2002... The retailer seizes an opportunity to provide incentive to future designers Peter Harrison and David Imrie created Furniture Village over 12 years ago with the express desire to provide a wide choice of good quality, stylish furniture for...

Thai way to success.
December 6, 2002... Thailand's furniture industry has the retailer firmly in mind, says Stephanie Baum Thailand wants to be China. At least, it would like to mirror the success it has had in attracting retailers for its low cost furniture and manufacturers...

Intensive care.
December 6, 2002... Chris Sohosky has a vast capacity for work and admires Beppe di Marco Joplin, Missouri-born Chris Sohosky (30) moved to the UK in 1998 as part of the new European Bedding Components Group of worldwide supplier Leggett & Platt. He studied...

Cox to join Furniture Village.
December 13, 2002... Julian Cox, Courts upholstery buyer, is to join Furniture Village as beds and bedroom furniture buyer on 2 January. His appointment fills the gap left by the departure of Andy Hills who joins And So To Bed as md in January (cm, 6 Nov, p2)....

Malaysian rubberwood row brewing with EU.
December 13, 2002... Malaysia has vowed to prevent EU action that could halt imports of rubberwood furniture. The EU is considering listing boric acid as a toxic chemical that could be harmful to human health after pressure from Sweden. Borac acid and...

Comment: Let's give peace a chance.
December 13, 2002... The battle lines have been drawn in the Cabinet Maker offices since last week's lead news story featuring the launch of Terence Conran's new designs for the mass market, Content by Conran. It was claimed that this is the biggest thing to...

Templeman tipped for HoF.
December 13, 2002... Rob Templeman, Homebase md has been tipped to run House of Fraser if entrepreneur Tom Hunter succeeds in buying the chain. The former Sports Division founder's #197m offer was rejected last week but further talks were expected to take place...

Study says cut stock to improve cashflow.
December 13, 2002... Stock inventories could be reduced by up to 80%, freeing up vital cashflow, if companies improved the management of their supply chain. Delivery times could also be improved and sales increased. A DTI funded and FFINTO backed study aims...

Malcolm Mackinnon.
December 13, 2002... Malcolm Mackinnon, founder and chairman of Textra, died on 23 November from lung cancer. He was 74. After the Second World War Mackinnon began his career in the textile industry with Sandersons then moved to Richardson and Smith. He...

Palty robbery.
December 13, 2002... Rubberised fibres and hair supplier Palty UK, suffered its second break- in in a fortnight at its Stratford, east London headquarters on 8 December. Deliveries were hit after its van was sabotaged earlier this week. Copyright: CMP...

Bed campaign.
December 13, 2002... Sealy is to spend #200,000 on its winter advertising campaign promoting retailers' winter sales which began yesterday (12 December). Titles used will include The Daily Telegraph, Hello and Mail on Sunday. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Clark departure.
December 13, 2002... Andrew Clark, Silentnight Holdings branded furniture chief executive, has left the group after a management reshuffle of its cabinet division (cm, 15 Nov p3). Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Coleman/Decoro.
December 13, 2002... Judgement has been reserved by Justice Davis after a five day hearing in the Coleman/Decoro court case (cm, 6 Nov p1). Decoro withdrew its counterclaim and Coleman is now set to receive compensation under the Commercial Agency Directive. ...

The Furniture Awards.
December 13, 2002... Entry forms for The Furniture Awards 2003 are available from tel: 0207 579 4339 or email kburrows@cmpinformation.com. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Radice to join M&S with #1.2m bonus.
December 13, 2002... Marks & Spencer has moved to further strengthen the management of its homewares department with the appointment of Vittorio Radice as director for home. Radice joins on 3 March from Selfridges where he is chief executive. He will receive a...

Name change.
December 13, 2002... Ely oak specialist Clover Furniture and Giftware has changed its name to Clover Oak. Along with the name change, the company has published a new catalogue. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Sheratons manager goes solo.
December 13, 2002... The former workshop manager of cabinet manufacturer Sheratons of Politura has set up his own company. Sheratons was placed in voluntary liquidation following a meeting of creditors last week. Richard Burke has set up Carringtons at...

New store offers individual service.
December 13, 2002... The Pine House Company opened at Stowlangtoft near Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, on 8 December selling hand-finished, hand-painted oak, beech and pine furniture. Co-owners Sarah Coe and Jackie Ray spent two months getting the site, a 4,000sqft...

Directors buy Ian Walker orders.
December 13, 2002... Former Ian Walker directors Ian Walker, Robert Bennett, Ian Donnelly and Craig Watts have paid the company's administrator #200,000 for outstanding orders and machinery. The four have set up a furniture company, Arcade Corporation. Ian...

Sleep Council presses on.
December 13, 2002... The Sleep Council's winter advertising campaign will target print media in a change from previous campaigns which focused on TV. The #172,000 campaign will start on 21 December and run until the end of January in national newspaper...

City: Christmas cheer is thin on the ground.
December 13, 2002... House of Fraser gained 14p on an 85p a share bid from Scottish entrepreneur Tom Hunter. Management rejected the bid, but investors are aware of HoF's indifferent trading record since flotation at 180p in 1993. Analysts expect a revised bid...

Share Update on 9 December.
December 13, 2002... Share Update on 9 December Bold=new High/Low Now Change Change High Low over since 2 weeks 1 Jan Retailers...

Sales growth slows.
December 13, 2002... November proved to be better for retailers than October, but annual sales growth slowed to its lowest rate since March. A balance of +8% of furniture and floorcovering retailers reported higher sales volumes compared to 2001. This...

Letter: A journey to remember.
December 13, 2002... The article on Arighi Bianchi (cm, 29 Nov, p2) reminded me of a journey I made to the store 74 years ago, aged 14. My father was an upholsterer known for his high class work. He had ordered some expensive material from Arighi Bianchi. ...

SHOP WINDOW: LINK.
December 13, 2002... The Danform Company is bringing the Ocean range of cabinets to the UK market. It is made in a choice of frosted clear acrylic doors, or oak, cherry, maple, beech, white and wenge. Contact Link International Interiors on 01249 447550 ...

SHOP WINDOW: PRESTIGIOUS.
December 13, 2002... Prestigious Textiles is offering retailers a new Curtain Options service, which is a range of made-to-measure curtains and accessories. The curtains are offered in a variety of draping styles and sizes, with optional lining. Contact...

SHOP WINDOW: BO-BOX.
December 13, 2002... The new BO from Bo-Box UK is available in a single chair, two or three- seater sofa option. The wooden frames are made of bent Finnish birch and upholstered in a choice of Italian leathers or fabric. Contact Bo-Box UK on 02392 467996 ...

SHOP WINDOW: RELYON.
December 13, 2002... The Iona collection from Relyon has a distinctive celtic brass design worked into its alder and cherry sleigh bed. The range comprises a choice of three beds and a complete bedroom solution of wardrobe, sidetables and four chests of drawers....

SHOP WINDOW: HT-COLLECTION.
December 13, 2002... The Palat range of modular seating appeals to the individualist. The sofas are made from wooden frames with no-sag suspension seat cushions of foamed plastic and polyester. Contact HT-Collection on 01684 562232 Copyright: CMP...

Trouble in the next generation.
December 13, 2002... A force field from the Starship Enterprise Act can help companies facing financial problems, John Davies points out the steps that should be taken before making a business deal If you are a small independent contract furnishing company and...

Living and dining.
December 13, 2002... Living and dining room cabinet has experienced a sea change over the years. Starting on page 12, James Millar explores trends in living and dining room cabinet. Casual dining has certainly been a strong factor in the look of the...

Changing rooms.
December 13, 2002... The secret of success in living and dining room furniture is adapting to change, reports James Millar A year ago a battle raged in the dining and living room furniture sectors as contemporary styles vied with the traditional for supremacy...

The Furniture Awards Promotion: The component partner.
December 13, 2002... Peter Cook International talks about its commitment to innovation and design in the furniture industry The basis of the Peter Cook International operation can be summed up by `excellence in product quality and service provision'. In...

Shapes of the past.
December 13, 2002... Stephanie Baum discovers how furniture for living and dining rooms has evolved over the years How we relate to our home says a lot about who we are and how we live. Furniture offers a unique way to understand how people interact and relate...

Raising the tone.
December 13, 2002... Nordic exhibitors at The Furniture Show are determined to distinguish themselves from the budget pine market, says Liam O'Brien Scandinavian manufacturers will be at Birmingham to introduce ranges they hope will boost wafer-thin flatpack...

Retailers welcome online credit review.
December 20, 2002... Furniture etailers are set to receive a boost to sales, with legislation allowing them to offer credit online. The DTI is reviewing the 1974 Consumer Credit Act to allow electronic credit agreements. The current Act requires shoppers...

Marketing deadline.
December 20, 2002... There are just 15 days left to enter The Furniture Awards Consumer Marketing award - entries must be received by Friday 3 January. Sponsored by Ideal Home Show, the award is open to manufacturers, retailers and associations that have run...

Comment: Lose the price obsession.
December 20, 2002... As we approach what is traditionally most stores' busiest time of the year, retailers across the country are deciding on the markdowns for the winter sale. An attention grabbing `discount' will usually get customers through the door at a...

Polythene fire warning.
December 20, 2002... Furniture wrapped in polythene should be stored separately and away from potential fire sources. This was the warning from Peter Keen, Hypnos md, after a fire at the firm's Princes Risborough factory last Friday (13 December). At...

Post prompts CJ Furniture's London debut.
December 20, 2002... CJ Furniture is set to open its first London store next Friday (27 December) in Fulham. The Yorkshire retailer started life as a catalogue operation four years ago. `We are opening showrooms in strategic locations,' explained Adam...

No change to price inflation.
December 20, 2002... Annual retail furniture price inflation was static at 1% in November. Although prices edged up by 1.4% in the month, it was not enough to affect the annual rate. Deflation returned to furnishings, with an annual rate of -1%. This was...

Homewares management changes.
December 20, 2002... John Lewis is to reshuffle the management of its homewares departments. David Jones, director of buying, furnishings textiles, is retiring at the end of March after 22 years at the group. Carole Lee will head the furniture and textiles...

Store expansion.
December 20, 2002... Sheffield retailer Pensfords has officially opened its store extension. The Ponsford Studio section will focus on modern furniture. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Online information.
December 20, 2002... The American Hardwood Export Council has launched a website, www.sustainable hardwoods.info, giving information on the sustainability of American hardwood forests. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Working loss.
December 20, 2002... Some 40.2 million working days were lost due to illness or injury in 2001/2002, according to the Health & Safety Executive. Some 249 people died in work related accidents, a reduction of 43. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Entrepreneurs.
December 20, 2002... Research for the DTI has found that people from an Asian background are twice as likely to be involved in company start-ups than their white counterparts. Caribbean people are three times as likely and Africans nearly five times as likely to be...

Retail training.
December 20, 2002... The bssa is to hold 21 non-residential training courses next year. Topics include retail law, selling skills and buying. Tel: 0295 712277. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Kas Australia heads for UK.
December 20, 2002... Australian soft furnishings company Kas Australia is to target the UK market. Its range includes bedlinen, throws, curtains and cushion covers. Founded in 1976, the firm has global sales of #17m and considerable production capacity -...