Cabinet Maker articles from December 2004

Cabinet Maker archives from December 2004

Suppliers take cover.
December 3, 2004... Courts suppliers are this week examining how to restore turnover following the retailer's UK business going into administration. Many seem to have learned the lessons of previous major collapses such as Maples, Uno/World of Leather and...

Decision time for KPMG.(Courts PLC restructuring)(Brief Article)
December 3, 2004... Mick McLoughlin, KPMG joint administrator said he had received `serious expressions of interest' from potential buyers of Courts UK. He said once he had protected the unaffected overseas businesses, his priority was to try to sell as much...

Borrowing breach finally tipped the balance.(Courts PLC restructuring)(Brief Article)
December 3, 2004... After months of renegotiating its borrowings, it was the imminent breach of its #290m borrowing facility that forced Courts plc and its UK operation into administration. By the end of March it was just #8m from exceeding its limit. Last...

Patterns change but deficit remains.(furniture exports and imports)
December 3, 2004... Despite the rapid growth of imports from the Far East and Eastern Europe in recent years, West Europe continues to be the main source of imported furniture into the UK. The Republic of Ireland has become the UK's largest export market. ...

Blinds lead sector growth.(Brief Article)
December 3, 2004... The curtain and blinds market is set to grow by 5% a year over the next four years, reaching a retail value of almost #1.5bn by 2007, according to the Domestic Window Coverings Market report by AMA Research. The blinds market is expected...

Sales slow despite discounts.(Brief Article)
December 3, 2004... Furniture and floorcoverings retailers enjoyed another month of increased sales volumes last month, but the growth was the lowest for eight months. A balance of 16% of stores reported year on year growth, down from 69% in October and the...

Good publicity.(Laura Ashley Inc. and John Lewis Partnership PLC are among winners of catalogue, ecommerce and multi-channel exhibition awards)(Brief Article)
December 3, 2004... Laura Ashley and John Lewis were among the winners of the ECMOD awards at last week's catalogue, ecommerce and multi-channel exhibition. Laura Ashley won Best all round consumer catalogue business with annual sales of between #25m-#50m, while...

Ten for Lombok.(Lombok opens tenth store at Kent shopping center)(Brief Article)
December 3, 2004... Colonial style furniture and accessories retailer and supplier Lombok was due to open another branch today (3 December) with a unit at the Bluewater, Kent shopping centre. It is its 10th store since its foundation in 1988. Copyright: CMP...

JLP sales boost.(John Lewis Partnership PLC)(Brief Article)
December 3, 2004... Department store chain John Lewis enjoyed a sales boost with the cold weather last month, lifting bedding and duvet sales in the week to 20 November. `Furniture also enjoyed a good week, led by upholstery, which reinforces our ability to supply...

Staff health risk.(Brief Article)
December 3, 2004... Employees who work when they are ill are putting themselves at greater risk of heart attack. A 10-year study of 10,000 civil servants found the stress from working when ill could double the rate of coronary disease in about 35% of staff. The...

Websites for duo.(Igoe and Barlow Tyrie launched their websites)(Brief Article)
December 3, 2004... Garden furniture firm Barlow Tyrie and cabinet company Igoe have launched websites. As well as full product information Teak.com includes technical specifications and stockist details. Igoe.co.uk has all of the firm's products along with a...

No forward planning.(business enterprises face closure due to lack of effective succession planning )(Brief Article)
December 3, 2004... Up to 100,000 companies a year face closure because they do not have a succession plan, according to a DTI report. Too many firms rely on the owner's knowledge which cannot be easily passed on, it warned. The lack of succession planning makes...

Morris wins copy claim damages.(Morris Furniture Company Inc.)(Brief Article)
December 3, 2004... Morris Furniture Group has won a `substantial' compensation claim against a Netherlands furniture company that copied its G Plan Cosmopolitan dining and bedroom range. The manufacturer was also ordered to pay to have 200 pieces removed...

Celebrity tie in.(advertisements)(Celebrity Furniture Inc.)(Brief Article)
December 3, 2004... Recliner company Celebrity Furniture has released a range of pos, including posters and press advertisements coinciding with ITV show I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here, featuring the tagline I'm a Celebrity... try me out here. The programme...

Rattan repertoire.(interior designs)(Brief Article)
December 3, 2004... Cane and rattan importer Raffles Rattan was due to open a 2,000sqft showroom in Bristol on Wednesday (1 December) to mark the firm's launch. Set up by Roger Sutton-Dawes, the company will operate as the UK arm of Spanish group Joefna. ...

Expos break with design convention.(Brief Article)
December 3, 2004... The work of 30 young designers will take centre stage at two of next year's main spring shows. Tattooed furniture will be among the highlights of the Talents section at Ambiente in February. The Frankfurt exhibition will host the work...

Designers in print.(home decor)(Brief Article)
December 3, 2004... A guide to contemporary Spanish designers of domestic furniture, kitchen, lighting, accessories, bathrooms and contract furniture has been published by the Spanish Institute for Foreign Trade. The 280 page catalogue features the work of 190...

Letter: Interest rewarded.(Letter to the Editor)
December 3, 2004... The front cover of your redesigned issue attracted my attention immediately. Although I had a backlog of work, the first thing I did was sit down and read Cabinet Maker. The market information was reader friendly and interesting while the...

Letter: Profit motive.(Letter to the Editor)
December 3, 2004... One small step for a magazine, one giant step for retailers. Thank you Cabinet Maker for keeping the independent retailer informed. Truth is very hard to come by in the furniture industry, so it is refreshing to hear about lows happening to the...

Letter: Challenge of change.(Letter to the Editor)
December 3, 2004... The magazine looks much clearer. The layout makes more sense, although it is important to emphasise that if it is a great story, then the layout becomes irrelevant. An interesting story can be written on the back of a fag packet. I would...

Letter: Mission accomplished.(Letter to the Editor)
December 3, 2004... Congratulations to your team for the great new look Cabinet Maker. Certainly not a case of `new bottle, same dreary old wine', but a complete overhaul. It looks fresh and inviting and really does justice to the products and stories. Nice one!...

Letter: Best yet.(Letter to the Editor)
December 3, 2004... A fantastic redesign. It's the best I've seen. Trevor Goodman's used to be the best, but this knocks it into a cocked hat. Richard Hare, freelance writer, Woodbridge Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Letter: Content with content.(Letter to the Editor)
December 3, 2004... I have just received my copy of the new look Cabinet Maker - what an improvement - well done. I hope you will be able to keep the content as good and varied each week. Andrew Mitchell, md Artistic Upholstery, Long Eaton Copyright: CMP...

Letter: More lords please.(Letter to the Editor)
December 3, 2004... Congratulations on the new format and the excellent content - wider and more informative. I particularly liked the Graham Kirkham article; perhaps the other furniture Lords will be featured from time to time. While the article on...

Letter: More professional.(Letter to the Editor)
December 3, 2004... Just finished your new look issue and really enjoyed it. The cover design is clean and uncluttered and the contents were informative and interesting. It has a much more professional feel to it. Well done. Brent Cooper, sales and marketing...

Letter: News worthy.(Letter to the Editor)
December 3, 2004... The new redesign really reflects CM's positioning as a news weekly and makes the reading experience more immediate. The new look is fresh and up to date and I particularly like the front cover design. Congratulations to all concerned. ...

Letter: Interesting reading.(Letter to the Editor)
December 3, 2004... I compliment you on a vastly improved publication. Readers' letters and manufacturers comments always make extremely interesting reading. I read with particular interest Mary Czulowski's contribution and note her job description. With...

Leader: The fatal flaw that hit Courts.(Brief Article)
December 3, 2004... Well it happened. After weeks of industry speculation Courts has put its UK operation into administration. Henry, Alfred and Edwin Cohen, who bought the first Courts store from Percy Court in 1945, would be astounded at the happenings of...

Views By Mike Spencer.
December 3, 2004... I have just returned from a holiday in California where, on turning on the television, I was surprised to hear Governor Swarzenegger extol the virtues of supporting Californian businesses and encouraging people to buy `Californian'. It is...

Talk.(furniture industry executives)(Brief Article)
December 3, 2004... This week we asked if you would miss Courts from the market. Here are a selection of views. Let us know what you think. `There had to be some fallout. It has been really difficult trying to compete with retailers that were giving things...

Have the early birds already caught all the worms?
December 3, 2004... Discounting is earlier and more widespread across the high street this year. Andrew Kidd asks if shoppers will have any money left for the January sales Last weekend supermarket chain Somerfield knocked 10% of the price of many non-food...

INTERVIEW - STEVE LUDDINGTON: Time to wake the sleeping giants.(Interview)
December 3, 2004... With over a year in his new post at Hilding Anders under his belt, Steve Luddington is ready to take his two key brands forward with renewed vigour A year on, Steve Luddington, Hilding Anders UK managing director, is almost more excited...

STORE MANAGER : On deeper reflection.(selling skills)
December 3, 2004... Making a customer feel like a friend is the secret to successful selling. Andrew Adamson explains the mystical powers of rapport Ever since my first efforts in selling I have constantly been told that before attempting to sell anything it...

SHOP WINDOW: B&B Italia.
December 3, 2004... B&B Italia's Fat Fat bed range was designed by Patricia Urquiola. The bed does not have a fixed headboard and the emphasis of the design is on the padded upholstered base. It is available in a choice of fabrics. Tel:020 7591 8111 ...

SHOP WINDOW: Vogue Beds.
December 3, 2004... The Balmoral from Vogue Beds offers a durable 800 pocket spring system with a hand tufted finish and four flag stitched handles. It is part of a new collection tailored to offer competitive price points. Tel: 01455 841257 Copyright:...

SHOP WINDOW: Slumberland.
December 3, 2004... Slumberland's new Contemporary Seal collection has a sleek and low profile on a modern, faux-leather base. The latex and spring continental style mattress is covered in stretch fabric. Tel: 0161 628 4886 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd....

SHOP WINDOW: Limelight Beds.
December 3, 2004... Bringing the luxury of leather to the bedroom, the Eclipse is part of a new collection from Limelight Beds. It combines a low foot end, a full leather upholstered headboard and simple styling. Tel: 01455 850159 Copyright: CMP...

SHOP WINDOW: Silentnight.
December 3, 2004... Hibernate with Silentnight is a bespoke range of luxury beds that allows the consumer to be the designer. Styled this season for a Bridget Jones lifestyle, with choice of fabrics, colours and theme. Tel: 0800 8292222 Copyright: CMP...

SHOP WINDOW: Connect by John Foreman.
December 3, 2004... The Cornwall pine bedstead launched by Connect by John Foreman is a new take on a Shaker theme. It has a ladder style head and foot ends, topped by a curving rail and teamed with a sprung slatted base. Tel: 0116 2796700 Copyright: CMP...

SHOP WINDOW: Sealy.
December 3, 2004... New for Sealy 2005 is the Natural Sleep collection that consists of two contemporary styled beds in Latex 100 and Latex 50. Made from 100% latex, the Latex 100 has a five-zone support system, while the Latex 50 has a top layer of the material....

RETAIL DIY STORES: To DIY for.(furniture stores, building material stores, hardware stores)
December 3, 2004... The DIY multiples are lifting home improvement from weekend drudgery into a creative art, with a new approach to display and selling style. Stephanie Baum reports on how they are getting it right DIY stores have long been the stronghold of...

Software support for distribution.(Focus Wickes Project Fusion)(Brief Article)
December 3, 2004... The sheer size of DIY mega multiples have made it crucial to have solid distribution networks in place. The award winning software Project Fusion was developed for Focus Wickes to improve communication between the retailer and its 300...

RETAIL - PURVES & PURVES: Dedicated to design.
December 3, 2004... Andrew Purves is leading the crusade for contemporary furniture and he thinks that the message is getting through to consumers `We wanted to sell well designed furniture at a reasonable price,' says Andrew Purves, co-founder of Purves &...

LIVING DINING: Older and wiser.(computer assisted design, furniture designs)
December 3, 2004... The trend for design reissues has seen manufacturers rushing to their back catalogues, but can retailers rely on past glories, asks Stephanie Baum There is a degree of common sense in the belief that the best designs have already been...

GERMAN IMPORTS: High hopes.(Wackenhut)
December 3, 2004... With sales falling in its home market, German manufacturer Wackenhut has its sights set on the next wave of fitted furniture in the UK reports Mark Lewis Germans don't always take kindly to Anglo-Saxon hectoring about the state of their...

RETAIL INTELLIGENCE: October trading.(Furniture retailers)
December 3, 2004... October was a divided month for retailers, as sales either rose compared with September 2004 and October 2003 or they fell. There was no middle ground. Some 43% of retailers reported a monthly fall in sales, while 57% enjoyed an increase....

TFS PREVIEW ITALY: First and foremost.(leather furniture)(Brief Article)
December 3, 2004... With Italy feeding most of the demand for leather upholstery in the UK, manufacturers will be out in force at the January show The Furniture Show in Birmingham is always a good barometer for the UK market. It reflects what is being...

TFS PREVIEW ITALY: Lay in waiting.
December 3, 2004... Satis will offer a range of reclining and sedentary leather upholstery models at the show. Created in 1970 as an artisan workshop, the manufacturer has evolved into an export company. Where: Pavilion, stand F20 Copyright: CMP...

TFS PREVIEW ITALY: First call.
December 3, 2004... Calia Italia will be exhibiting at the show for the first time. The upholstery manufacturer started in 1965 and has more than 250 models in a broad range of styles from contemporary, modern and traditional, in 120 leathers. Models are also...

TFS PREVIEW ITALY: New room.
December 3, 2004... Calligaris has been operating for more than 80 years. Specialising in glass and wood dining room furniture, the company recently expanded into the living room. It will be supplementing its current catalogue of 500 items with a selection of new...

TFS PREVIEW ITALY: Sitting down to dinner.
December 3, 2004... When Idealsedia began business in 1979 it was as a producer of wooden chairs. Marking its 25th anniversary this year, it has developed a comprehensive offer of small scale casual dining. In recent years it has expanded its product lines with...

TFS PREVIEW ITALY: Wall to hall.
December 3, 2004... Contempo will be showing 24 models, 16 of them with an emphasis on sectional seating. Taking into account the different ways consumers sit, its 615 model is available in a variety of combinations and arm options. It will also expand its gallery...

TFS PREVIEW ITALY: Pride in hide.
December 3, 2004... Leather upholstery manufacturer Polo Divani will be showing 15 designs including new and established corner groups, sofas and chairs. It has 70 different leather options and prides itself on its after sales care. Where: Hall 3, stand H71...

TECHNOLOGY REVERSE LOGISTICS: Welcome back.
December 3, 2004... Retailers are losing out on margins when they don't get their returns policies right. Reverse logistics can make a difference says Steve Butler Reverse logistics covers planning, implementing and controlling the flow of materials and...

MARKET REVIEW: Fame and fortune.(public relations)
December 3, 2004... Habitat's VIP collection launch shows how effective PR can boost business Often seen as the poorer relation to advertising, PR can slip through the net when it comes to annual budget allocations. But, more often that not, this ends up as a...

Keeping a running total.(charitable contributions)(Brief Article)
December 3, 2004... Topped only by Paula Radcliffe's sprint finish in last month's New York Marathon were the efforts of five of the UK furniture industry's finest, or at least fittest. Eyres of Worksop and Mansfield's Richard Shuker and Graeme Murray, and...

Showing potential.(Gernot Steifensand, office furniture manufacturer)(Brief Article)
December 3, 2004... Men just weren't made to sit at a desk all day. Our ancestors may have stalked the countryside in loincloths, but at least their sperm stayed cool. And sperm, apparently, ain't what it used to be. Potency is at an all time low, and office...

Knowing all the angles.(Mike Ledger)(Interview)
December 3, 2004... Mike Ledger is the furniture director at Chelsom How did you get started in the industry? I started out as a retailer at Harrods where I spent 27 years. I was a buyer for several different departments, including furniture. But after...

Parker Knoll stoppage.(Parker Knoll PLC)
December 10, 2004... In a further dent to the furniture industry's reputation, 60 retailers will this week face disappointing up to 300 customers because they cannot complete outstanding orders of Parker Knoll Classic upholstery. A breakdown in the...

TFS's face of comedy.(Brief Article)
December 10, 2004... Comedian, TV presenter and DJ Jimmy Carr is to present The Furniture Awards next month. Carr is Channel 4's face of comedy and has hosted Your Face Or Mine? and Distraction and was a guest presenter of Have I Got News For You? The...

Duresta and William Bartlett up for sale.(REH Kennedy Ltd)(Brief Article)
December 10, 2004... Three more well-known British furniture manufacturers have been put up for sale, just five weeks after Ducal, Nathan and Parker Knoll went on the market. Christie-Tyler has decided that upholstery firm Duresta and traditional cabinet maker...

MFI tries to get IT right for sales.(information technology)
December 10, 2004... MFI management is keeping its fingers crossed that its computer system works as it heads into the winter sale, beginning on Boxing Day. Although it has coped with sales levels on par with the sale in the past fortnight, John Hancock, chief...

Speed merchants.(Lombok)
December 10, 2004... Furniture retailers, New Heights and Lombok are among the UK's 100 fastest growing profitable private companies. They were ranked 28th and 60th respectively in The Sunday Times Virgin Atlantic Fast Track 100. New Heights achieved average sales...

Allders for sale.(Brief Article)
December 10, 2004... Department store chain Allders has been put up for sale by parent, property group Minerva. The move comes a year after it bought the company for #162m to secure its ownership of the Allders department store in Croydon, which forms part of...

Textile rescue bid fails.(Brief Article)
December 10, 2004... Plans by former staff of Aberdeen textile manufacturer Richards to form a cooperative to take over the company have fallen through after being unable to secure the support of enough customers. The upholstery and carpet yarn firm had a full...

Mode called off.(Brief Article)
December 10, 2004... Next year's fabric and textiles exhibition Interior Mode has been cancelled, with organiser Simon Boyd blaming a split in the industry. `We will review the next few months and see if those who wanted a show, want one in 2006,' said Boyd. ...

Barnet move.(Brief Article)
December 10, 2004... Glasgow retailer Barnet & Company is set to sell its Dumbarton Road branch for property redevelopment. It is considering a replacement store in the Hillington area. Its South Street branch is unaffected. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Difficult sales.(Brief Article)
December 10, 2004... Furniture sales were described as `generally difficult' in November according to the BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor, `despite some good sales of beds'. Bedroom furniture and branded bedlinen sales were said to have risen. Like for like sales...

Working longer.(Brief Article)
December 10, 2004... Men who work until they are 70 and women until 65 will receive #45 extra a week on their state pension, under Government plans to tackle the increasing costs of the country's ageing population. This would boost the current basic weekly pension...

DIY interest.(Wickes)(Brief Article)
December 10, 2004... Builders merchant Travis Perkins is considering a bid for DIY chain Wickes. Frank McKay, Travis Perkins' chief executive said it was always interested in any assets in this market and had easily enough `fire- power' to acquire the Wickes chain....

Rivals gather to take over Courts.
December 10, 2004... The fallout from Courts' administration continues to be felt as rival retailers try to woo disgruntled customers with offers of cut-price furniture. At least one prospective buyer, retail turnaround venture capital firm Hilco, has also...

Waiting game.(Brief Article)
December 10, 2004... Fears that an Irish Ikea would dash hopes for a Northern Irish store appear to be unfounded as the chain is keeping its options open on both sides of the border. The Irish government has given the clearest indication yet that it will make...

Weighty collection.(Brief Article)
December 10, 2004... Next has continued to expand its Next Directory, with the Spring-Summer 2005 issues reaching 918 pages, including 285 pages of furniture and homewares. It comes with reusable mini Post-it notes allowing shoppers to easily find pages. The...

City: Asian influence boosts Kingfisher.(Brief Article)
December 10, 2004... Kingfisher shares touched 285p before recovering strongly to 301p, following an analysts' meeting in Asia to demonstrate successful trading in an increasingly important region. B&Q has 20 stores in China, and plans to treble the number within a...

Town centre comeback.(Brief Article)
December 10, 2004... Kitchen and home office furniture chain John Lewis of Hungerford is to open a standalone store in Winchester, Hampshire, in the New Year after a six month absence in the town. The town centre branch will replace its previous concession...

Horn blows into China.(Brief Article)
December 10, 2004... Yet another top-end cabinet manufacturer has succumbed to the lure of manufacturing in the Far East, with a half-priced version of its Nursery Collection. Simon Horn, owner said he had little choice but to begin Chinese production,...

The path to administration.(Brief Article)
December 10, 2004... The Courts' chart shows a moderate downward trend before June's announcement of a #34.4m pre-tax loss for the 2003/04 year. The Financial Times posed the killer question: `If it costs Courts so much to sell furniture, why do they bother?' ...

Steel prompts spring action.(Brief Article)
December 10, 2004... The impact of huge increases in steel prices in the past year has continued to impact on the bed industry. Airsprung Furniture Group has seen raw material costs jump by more than #1m in the past six months, helping to almost double operating...

Letter: The need for consumer protection.(Letter to the Editor)
December 10, 2004... In recent years the collapse of a number of furniture retailers has highlighted the need for better consumer protection. With Courts being the latest to come unstuck, deposit protection has again reared its head. In 2001 Qualitas, in...

Letter: Your round.(Letter to the Editor)
December 10, 2004... I thought the article on pay (CM, 26 Nov, p20) was one of the best I have read. I have posted it all over my shops to show how well my managers are doing. At the cost of my poverty, my managers are doing very well indeed. And another...

Letter: Sour taste of failure.(Letter to the Editor)
December 10, 2004... My concern with what has happened at Parker Knoll and what is happening at Courts (CM, 3 Dec, p9) is that the furniture industry as a whole is suffering so much in the Press at the moment. There is a sour taste being left in the public's mouth...

Letters: For what it's worth, I think it looks great!(Letter to the Editor)
December 10, 2004... The new layout/typography and overall `feel' make it a much better read. Dear old Cabinet Maker looked like it was being left behind in the 1970s, but now it is back on track. Well done. Stephen Fox, joint md, Fox Kalomaski, London ...

Letter: Not so good.(Letter to the Editor)
December 10, 2004... How on earth can people comment that the new front cover design is `great', `fantastic' or `improved' (CM, 3 Dec, p8.)? What is wrong with these people! It is boring, old fashioned, almost definitely inspired by something in the 1980s and...

LEADER: 'Tis the season of company sales.(furniture industry)(Brief Article)
December 10, 2004... It seems the January sales have come early. Five weeks ago it was the Silentnight Group non-bed brands and last week it was Courts UK. This week sees Duresta, REH Kennedy and William Bartlett arrive on the market (see p3). The sales are...