Cabinet Maker articles from February 2003

Cabinet Maker archives from February 2003

Winter sale figures warm up.(furniture retailers)
February 7, 2003... Furniture retailers seem to have recovered from a drop in sales in the middle of the winter sale, maintaining sales at 2002's level by the start of February. Anecdotal evidence from retailers - large and small - suggested sales got off to...

Comment: Stats don't show it all.(Furniture Show)(Brief Article)
February 7, 2003... The Furniture Show is now long gone and all that remains to be done is complete all the admin, follow up on the outstanding leads and wait for delivery of the new ranges. The show organisers have now also finished tallying up the figures...

Road works hit business.(Brief Article)
February 7, 2003... A Croydon upholstery retailer has claimed businesses are being devastated by a council decision to close off the road. Croydon Council was forced to close part of Selhurst Road to allow strengthening of a railway bridge by Network Rail. ...

Durham Pine to roll out new brand.(DP Furniture)(Brief Article)
February 7, 2003... Durham Pine is to roll out its DP Furniture branding after a two month trial. The move reflects the chain's policy of offering more than pine products to adapt to changing tastes and attract a wider customer base. Recliners, leather...

Delay for Silentnight restructuring plan.(Silentnight Holdings)(Brief Article)
February 7, 2003... Silentnight Holdings' restructuring plan will not be ready until March. Nino Allenza, chief executive had hoped to have the plan completed by now. He said the review was largely finished and restructuring decisions would be made in March....

Second edition.(Pine Living brochure)(Brief Article)
February 7, 2003... Pineology has released the second edition of its Pine Living brochure, which is designed to look like a consumer home interest magazine. The brochure combines roomset photography, a product care guide and finish and product directory. ...

Satra expansion.(Brief Article)
February 7, 2003... Research and testing company Satra is to invest #1.5m in building a 26,000sqft extension to its Kettering premises. Work will begin this month. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Manchester moves.(furniture show)
February 7, 2003... The organiser of July's Manchester Furniture Show is considering adding 1,000sqm of stand space to the event. Some 70% of stand space for the G- Mex show has been sold. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Lace buys.(Filigree buys Paul Steiger designs)(Brief Article)
February 7, 2003... Filigree has bought the Paul Steiger trademark and Venice and Nottingham designs from the liquidator of Paul Steiger. These add to the previously bought Finesse and Tuscany designs. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Texstyle talks.(takeover)(Brief Article)
February 7, 2003... The administrator of Texstyle World is continuing takeover talks with six companies, but has yet to name a preferred bidder for the chain. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Italian job.(Crest buys tannery)(Brief Article)
February 7, 2003... Leather company Crest has bought a tannery in northern Italy, capable of producing 6million sqft of hide a month. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Office advice.(from the Office Furniture Advisory Service)(Brief Article)
February 7, 2003... The Office Furniture Advisory Service has launched Knowledge-Counsel, a consortium of consultants and companies giving advice on office furniture. Tel: 01344 779 438. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

First National goes to GE.(Brief Article)
February 7, 2003... Credit company First National is to be sold to GE Consumer Finance for #848m. First National parent Abbey National put the group on the market last year as it decided to focus on its main banking activities. Abbey National said First...

More visitors stay longer.(Brief Article)
February 7, 2003... The number of visitors attending The Furniture Show, The Lighting Show and Design Interiors climbed this year. Some 49,500 visitors went to TFS, an increase of 8%, while 29,460 attended Design Interiors, up 9%, and 21,874 visited The...

Gautier to offer home deliveries.(Brief Article)
February 7, 2003... French bedroom furniture manufacturer Gautier is piloting a direct home delivery scheme with 12 UK retailers in a move to improve its aftersales service. Expected to be running in the South East by April and nationwide by the end of the...

Uno five seek extension for court date.(Brief Article)
February 7, 2003... The five former Uno directors who face being disqualified as company directors by the DTI are seeking a year to prepare their defence. Disqualification proceedings were issued in March 2002 and at a hearing last October a deadline of 31...

Selfridges - Appointment.(Phil Clarke)(Brief Article)
February 7, 2003... Selfridges has promoted head of finance Phil Clarke to finance director. He succeeds Peter Williams, who became chief executive after the departure of Vittorio Radice to Marks & Spencer. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Beardow Adams - Appointment.(Graeme Nutting)(Brief Article)
February 7, 2003... Beardow Adams has promoted export manager Graeme Nutting to UK sales director. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Kingstown Furniture - Appointment.(Katrina Brooks)(Brief Article)
February 7, 2003... Kingstown Furniture has appointed Katrina Brooks as territory manager for the North West and North Wales. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

ScS Upholstery - Appointment.(Mike Browne)(Brief Article)
February 7, 2003... Mike Browne, ScS deputy chairman, has become chairman. He succeeds Tony McCann, who takes the position of senior non-executive director. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Kingsley Textiles - Appointment.(Amanda Starbuck)(Brief Article)
February 7, 2003... Kingsley Textiles has recruited Amanda Starbuck as new product development manager. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Goldcrest sets two week delivery target.(Brief Article)
February 7, 2003... Pine cabinet manufacturer Goldcrest is to introduce two-week deliveries on its top selling models by the end of the year. Deliveries are now four to six weeks but Henrik Pontoppidan, sales and marketing director, said he was confident of...

Oxford outlet for Scumble Goosie.(Brief Article)
February 7, 2003... Gloucestershire manufacturer of ready-to-paint furniture, Scumble Goosie, is set to open a second showroom. The new outlet, due to open on 1 March, will be in North Parade, Oxford. The firm, which started as a mail order business for...

Sales increase at John Lewis.(Brief Article)
February 7, 2003... Sales climbed by 5.4% in the past six months at department store chain John Lewis. Hard furnishings, including furniture, saw sales rise by 8.7% in the 26 weeks to 25 January. The figures reflected success in fitted kitchens and...

Home's where the spending is.(Brief Article)
February 7, 2003... Home furnishings are winning the spending battle, reports Andrew Kidd The power of home makeover TV programmes shows no signs of waning, if the latest spending figures from National Statistics' Family Spending survey are to be believed....

SHOP WINDOW: HOTHOUSE.
February 7, 2003... The comfortable, contemporary Tanto chair from Hothouse Design is part of a range that includes two and three-seater sofas, chaise and footstool. Contact Hothouse Design on 07939 510577 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW: HYACINTH.
February 7, 2003... The Druma side table is one of a range from Hyacinth Design that is hand crafted from water hyacinth. The eco friendly material is sourced from Thailand. Contact Hyacinth Design on 01582 624053 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW: STOMPA.
February 7, 2003... Stompa's Matrix, from the new BIG bed range, has been developed to appeal to an older audience. Besides the bed, the design includes a large corner wardrobe and a curved desk. Contact Stompa on 01274 596885 Copyright: CMP Information...

SHOP WINDOW: PRESTIGIOUS.
February 7, 2003... Evolution, in a ruby colourway, is a lustrous satin print that fuses a retro appeal with upbeat styling. Contact Prestigious Textiles on 01274 688448 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW: LOMBOK.
February 7, 2003... Lombok's sleigh bed range has been carefully sourced to ensure quality craftsmanship and elegant designs. The reclaimed teak's distinctive character gives a hint of the exotic. Contact Lombok on 020 77365171 Copyright: CMP...

Replace, repair or refund?(Sale of Goods to Consumers Regulations)
February 7, 2003... Consumers will receive more rights on faulty products next month, reports Andrew Kidd Someone told me that the Sales of Goods Act is about to change, giving shoppers lots of new rights. What is happening and how will it affect me? The...

Battle of the giants.(Cologne furniture conference)
February 7, 2003... Huge stands (and the odd gigantic sofa) were a feature of Cologne, but the furniture itself was light and contemporary, reports James Millar You've got to admire the Germans. They like the 1980s and they're staying there. So while the rest...

Feeling groovy.(Frankfurt's Heimtextil show)
February 7, 2003... Seventies' styling dominated at Heimtextil, although delicate florals and 3D effects fought for their share of attention. Geoff Covey reports from Frankfurt Visitors to this year's Heimtextil were transported to another era - a time of...

Parisian accent.(Salon du Meuble)
February 7, 2003... Exhibitors at Paris went for variation rather than innovation this year, but there was plenty to interest the British market. Alison Gay reports Salon du Meuble 2003 in Paris has upped the pace this year in terms of increasing its...

SALON DU MEUBLE 2003: What the buyers thought.(Brief Article)
February 7, 2003... Robert Lee, managing director of Lee Longlands: `We will definitely be back at Paris next year. You never know what or where manufacturers will be launching their products. The show wasn't that inspirational but I did find a few bits that...

Designs on quality: Mark Devancy.(Winsor Furniture)(Interview)
February 7, 2003... Who do you most admire in the industry? Primarily I am a lover of design and quality rather than business studies or profit. I therefore tend to admire products that are ahead of the game. The Skovby and Ikea design teams would be high on...

New drive for National Bed Month.(Brief Article)
February 14, 2003... Teaching consumers how to buy a new bed will be the theme of this year's National Bed Month. `Test drive a new bed for bed month' will be the message for the 13th NBM, which begins on 1 March. The latest research from The Sleep Council...

Egan and Massie go as C-T restructures again.(Steve Egan and Alan Massie to leave Christie-Tyler)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2003... Steve Egan, Contour md and Alan Massie, group procurement and services director, are the latest senior managers to leave upholstery group Christie-Tyler. The departures are part of a restructuring of the majority of the group into four...

COMMENT: All around the world.(Christie-Tyler coping with international competition pressures)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2003... Speaking to James Benfield, chief executive of Christie-Tyler, this week about the restructuring going on at C-T, got me thinking about how the industry is coping with the increased pressures of competition from abroad. He said that C-T is...

Magnet outperforms market with 8% rise.(Brief Article)
February 14, 2003... Bedroom and kitchen chain Magnet saw sales rise by 8% last year as operating margins reached double figures. The 214-store chain saw increased kitchen and bedroom sales, although bathroom sales dipped. Sales reached #291.3m in the year...

Dorma plant faces closure.(Brief Article)
February 14, 2003... Soft furnishings group Dorma has blamed pressure from retailers to reduce prices on own label ranges for its decision to consider closing its Maydown, Northern Ireland factory. Owner of the Dorma and Vantona brands, the group lost #9m of...

Bigger office.(Systems Furniture moved to increase capacity)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2003... Systems Furniture has moved to a 42,000sqft site in Weston-super-Mare. The larger site has improved showroom and manufacturing facilities. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Very hospitable.
February 14, 2003... Decorex will devote a third of its floorspace to new hospitality event Hotel@Decorex in September. Tel: 020 7833 3373. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Going nowhere.(over 4000 companies declared bankruptcy in 4th quarter 2002)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2003... Some 4,323 companies were declared insolvent in the last quarter of 2002, a rise of 15%. The DTI said 1.1% of companies closed during the period. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Award winner.(Jewel's Kintala collection of prints, wallcoverings and weave)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2003... Jewel's Kintala collection of prints, wallcoverings and weave won the Best Soft Furnishings Collection award at Design Interiors last month. It was designed by Jo Bound. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Urban living.(the Urban Interiors exhibition)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2003... Urban Interiors, a consumer interiors exhibition for urban shoppers offering `challenging and diverse blueprints for modern living' is to be launched in London from 7-9 November. Tel: 01923 261 663. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Better buying.(British Shops and Stores Association)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2003... The bssa is to hold a Succeed in Negotiations training course on 25 February. Tel: 01295 712277. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Internacionale bid for Texstyle World too low.(Brief Article)
February 14, 2003... The long-running Texstyle World takeover process has taken a new twist with a #10m offer from one of the leading bidders being rejected. Texstyle World went into administration in mid-December with debts of around #8m and the administrator,...

DFS death not suicide.(inquest rules that Mark Wagstaff did not intend to kill himself)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2003... An inquest into the death of a DFS employee at the New Malden, Essex, branch has ruled he did not intend to kill himself. Warehouse manager Mark Wagstaff, 37, was found hanging from shelving on 14 November last year. Despite efforts to...

How to SIT properly.(the importance of comfortable seating)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2003... When SIT opened in Newcastle this week, ergonomic expert Jo Somerville aimed to educate consumers on the importance of comfortable seating. `Most chairs are not designed to fit the body. Most people pick upholstery on looks. Comfort is...

Foreign majority.(overseas companies to dominate the London Fabric show)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2003... Overseas companies will dominate at next weeks' London Fabric show. The third edition of the upholstery fabric, leather and trimmings event will see a majority of foreign exhibitors. Belgium has the largest group with 14 firms,...

Stockholm nurtures young shoots.(Stockholm International Furniture Fair)(Sweden)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2003... Shows within shows set the tone of the Stockholm International Furniture Fair. The What is Swedish Design? section begged the question of whether our impressions of products are informed by where the furniture was produced or by the...

Ahead of schedule.(Furniture Village)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2003... Furniture Village is to open its upmarket London Furniture Company store ahead of schedule. The 25,000sqft store is due to open at the end of March, about three weeks before its previous opening date. Products will be divided into...

Universal's long term booking.(Universal Furniture)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2003... Universal Furniture is set to return to full production after finding new offices - in the hotel where staff have worked since fire destroyed its old premises. The company started limited production this week at its new plant on the...

Top end move.(trade show to fill additional hall in 2004)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2003... Soft furnishings show ShowRoom is to add another hall to the exhibition for 2004. ShowRoom Mode will cater for top end manufacturers and suppliers and will take place at the recently opened Great Northern Hall at the G-Mex Centre,...

Bigger is better.(Christie-Tyler reorganizes)
February 14, 2003... James Benfield, Christie-Tyler chief executive, talks to Andrew Kidd about the group's latest restructuring Splitting the majority of Christie-Tyler into four divisions is the latest incarnation of the group. Which companies went into...

SHOP WINDOW: GALLERY.
February 14, 2003... Following the trend for romantic interiors, the glass-only Florence mirror from the Gallery Group is sized at 79x56cm. Contact Gallery Group on 01634 727277 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW: HARLEQUIN.
February 14, 2003... Sarah Hardaker has designed Going Dotty, a collection of children's fabrics in cotton prints and voile, as well as a range of wallpapers and borders. Contact Harlequin on 01509 225000 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW: PACO CAPDELL.
February 14, 2003... Paco Capdell has introduced the Gala collection of chair, armchairs and easy chair. Pictured here is the Gala chair which features wooden detailing at the top of the seat backs. Contact Paco Capdell on +34 96 1502950 Copyright: CMP...

SHOP WINDOW: VS COLLECTION.
February 14, 2003... Vincent Sheppard brings timeless classical forms up to date in these woven paper chairs. Contact Vincent Sheppard on 020 73522312 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW: RELAXATEEZE.
February 14, 2003... Contemporary and comfortable, the new Relaxateeze Tuscany tub chair is stylish and compact. It is available in three leathers - burgundy, tan and chestnut. Contact Relaxateeze on 0141 420 7711 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

FURNITURE AWARDS 2003: The ideal starter.
February 14, 2003... Drinks Reception Sponsor: Morris Furniture Group As the clock drew nearer 6pm on 20 January, it was easy to spot who was off to enjoy The Furniture Awards Gala Dinner - they were the ones looking edgy, wondering whether or not they...

FURNITURE AWARDS 2003: More celebrations for Leekes.
February 14, 2003... Business excellence retailer Sponsor: First National Winner: Leekes Finalists: Argos; DFS Judges: Chris Moffat, SMG Mike Dudley-Jones, Mike Dudley Jones Training David Kemsley, Verdict Sue Gosling, Power House...

FURNITURE AWARDS 2003: The public's favourite.(Brief Article)
February 14, 2003... BARKER & STONEHOUSE Consumers' choice: Independent retailer of the year Sponsor: First National Winner: Barker & Stonehouse Finalists: Leekes; Glasswells North East chain Barker & Stonehouse triumphed in the battle to be...

IKEA.(wins Consumers' choice: Multiple retailer of the year)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2003... Consumers' choice: Multiple retailer of the year Sponsor: First National Winner: Ikea Finalists: Argos; Courts; DFS; Habitat; Heal's; John Lewis After 4,000 consumers across the UK were polled by NOP World, Ikea completed a...

FURNITURE AWARDS 2003: Laguna: `ultimate in comfort'.(Brief Article)
February 14, 2003... Consumers' choice Sponsor: House Beautiful Winner: Actona - Loguna sofa Finalists: Skovby - SM28 dining table Gautier - Oxygene bedroom furniture Orior Furniture By Design - Aspen bed Judges: House Beautiful editorial...

FURNITURE AWARDS 2003: Double success for Gloster.(Brief Article)
February 14, 2003... Living & dining room furniture Sponsor: Your Home Winner: Gloster Furniture - Manhattan chair Finalists: Stompa - Jolley Trolley Granville - Cap Cod table Judges: Paul Newman, Newman & Kamali; Julian Field,...

Paying attention.
February 14, 2003... It's the details that counted on this year's living and dining room offerings at the NEC, reports Alison Gay Extensive ranges, plenty of oak and unusual attention to detail encapsulates the trends in living and dining room furniture this...

Ideal exposure.
February 14, 2003... The new Autumn Ideal Home Show provides great sales opportunities A new home and gift show is launching in London this October offering fantastic sales opportunities at a crucial time of the year. The Autumn Ideal Home Show runs from 3...

FURNITURE AWARDS 2003: Winning the credibility battle.(Brief Article)
February 14, 2003... Consumer marketing Sponsor: Ideal Home Show Winner: Multiyork Finalists: Sealy; Ekornes Judges: Martyn Evans, Origin Communications Steve Parsons, David Wright, Chartered Institute of Marketing Andrew Robinson ...

FURNITURE AWARDS 2003: Scarlett saves space.
February 14, 2003... Young designer Sponsor: Furniture Village Winner: Robert Scarlett - Extending Table Finalists: Joohee Lee - Mugged Cabinet Rachel Sandham - Rotating Storage Boxes Simon Wilson - Side Table Adam Chambers - Ecco...

FURNITURE AWARDS 2003: Jazz hits all the right notes.(Brief Article)
February 14, 2003... Leather upholstered furniture Sponsor: Yarwood Leather Winner: V&A Upholstered Furniture - Jazz sofa Finalists: Wade Upholstery - Romney large sofa Incanto Divani - S327 sofa Judges: James Barker, Barker &...

Showing skin sense.
February 14, 2003... Many companies concentrated on higher quality for leather upholstery with an amazing array of hides, reports Stephanie Baum Leather was the show pony at The Furniture Show with companies grooming their hides to set themselves apart, while...

FURNITURE AWARDS 2003: London for first time buyers.(Brief Article)
February 14, 2003... Upholstered furniture Sponsor: Guardsman Winner: Mark Webster Furniture - London Finalists: Jay-Be - Romola sofabed John Kelly - Spindle Judges: James Barker, Barker & Stonehouse Richard Bianchi, Arighi...

Different strokes.
February 14, 2003... Fabric upholstery may have been in the minority this year, but it was certainly eye-catching, reports Stephanie Baum Perhaps the most interesting trend about fabric upholstery at The Furniture Show was how relatively little of it was on...

FURNITURE AWARDS 2003: Petite Woburn makes it big.(Brief Article)
February 14, 2003... Reclining Furniture Sponsor: Peter Cook International Winner: Celebrity Furniture - Petite Woburn Finalists: Mark Webster Furniture - Padova The Vintage Tanning Company - Tribeca Judges: Nazanin Kamali, Newman &...

Rise and shine.
February 14, 2003... Electric or manual, small or large, fabric or leather, there's something to suit everyone in the action furniture sector, reports Stephanie Baum Motion upholstery continues to be a steady riser in the upholstery sector, but the types of...

FURNITURE AWARDS 2003: Beds with personality.(Brief Article)
February 14, 2003... Beds Sponsor: Leggett & Platt Bedding Components Winner: Silentnight Beds - My First Bed Finalists: Dorlux Beds - Palermo Willis & Gambier - Directorie Judges: Andy Hills, And So To Bed; Mike Clare, Dreams; Nadia...

Good snooze all round.
February 14, 2003... Comfort was high on the agenda for beds introduced at The Furniture Show. James Millar highlights some of the most innovative options Spending four days pounding the halls of the NEC in Birmingham looking at beds is not a pleasant task. For...

More sign up to Radii.(Brief Article)
February 14, 2003... Park Furnishers in Bristol has chosen the Radii FRS suite of software. Tim Coller of Park confirmed: `We chose Radii because of the support and links to members of its growing user group and continued product development. It's the bespoke...

A magnum for FRS net.
February 14, 2003... Magnum Furniture has been amongst the first retailers to sign up for the new Windows! based FRS net. Peter Brobyn is delighted. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

FTBA Sponsorship.
February 14, 2003... FTBA Sponsorship - Radii is proud to be involved in the sponsorship of the FTBA's website in this centenary year. For more information visit FTBA's site at www.ftba.co.uk Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Radii leads Chip & Pin.
February 14, 2003... With the prospect of new technology looming again in the point of sale market, Radii is already preparing the ability to interface to such products and provide retailers with the support to smoothly move to the new chip & pin technology. For...

New Windows TM Package - FRS net launched.(furniture retail systems)
February 14, 2003... The new Windows! based addition to the range of furniture retail systems, FRS net, was launched at the Furniture Show. The package covers the sales ordering process, creating the customers' orders as well as the purchase orders to go back...