Cabinet Maker articles from January 2003

Cabinet Maker archives from January 2003

Hopeful start to tills ringing in the new year.(furniture sales up slightly )(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... The winter sales got off to a steady if unspectacular start with many retailers reporting good footfall but slower spending. Although many were optimistic of a good sale, fingers were firmly crossed. In Reading, Greg Olley, Beadle and...

Grab some awards tickets.
January 10, 2003... There are still some tickets left for The Furniture Awards 2003 Gala Dinner. The evening will recognise the industry's best in retailing, marketing, products and young designers. The Gala Dinner will be hosted by award winning comedian...

COMMENT: The wrong sales message.(furniture industry's sales tactics considered)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... As I write this the winter sales should be in full swing. However, it seems from the retailers we spoke to (see above) that shoppers are finding it difficult to hand over their credit cards. The fear of a war against Iraq, the extra...

Buying power of promotions.(John Lewis PLC sales and earnings)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... Kitchen chain John Lewis of Hungerford has claimed customers are unwilling to buy its ranges unless tempted by a promotion. John Lewis, chairman, said: `It appears more than ever before that customers are increasingly willing to put off...

Parker Knoll management trio replaced.(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... Silentnight Holdings has moved to tackle the problems at loss making Parker Knoll by replacing most of the management team. Mark Taylor, md; Andrew Robinson, marketing director; and Michael Humphery, business director, have left the...

Allders' sales down before Christmas.(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... Trading was poor for Allders in the run up to Christmas. Like for like sales in the 11 weeks and five days to 19 December were down 3.3%. Total sales rose 1.5%. Meanwhile, the future of the department store chain remained in doubt. It...

Derwent 30th anniversary.(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... Derwent is to celebrate its 30th anniversary this year with the launch of its latest catalogue later this month. It will contain the firm's full product range, including the Lauren leather model. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Expo update.
January 10, 2003... Visitors can find out what's hot for autumn/winter 2003 while walking through the entrances of The Furniture Show. Trend forecaster Trendhub has identified four key trends: Masculine and moody Indulgence conjures up the spirit of a hip...

Modern look.(Wood Brothers at Furniture Show)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... TV presenter Anna Ryder-Richardson will be concentrating on more contemporary roomsets for Wood Brothers at The Furniture Show The firm is encouraging stockists to take a bolder approach to displaying its Old Charm furniture. ...

How technology can help profits.(e-commerce site for furniture industry launched)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... Next month furniture companies will be able to see how they compare with rivals in the use of ecommerce technology and how they could become more efficient. The DTI backed ukonlineforbusiness will launch its Ecommerce in the Furniture...

FTBA EGM.
January 10, 2003... The Furnishing Trades Benevolent Association is to hold an extraordinary general meeting on 20 January. It will take place at the Griffin Suite 5, NEC, Birmingham at 2.30pm. Tel: 0207 405 7663. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Millbrook Beds will reveal winner.
January 10, 2003... Millbrook Beds will reveal the winner of its first Suppliers Key Performance Award at The Furniture Show. `The criteria has been ongoing for 12 months and has been keenly pursued by our suppliers,' said Victor Giannandrea, sales and marketing...

New orders from Radii.(software company creates ordering program for furniture industry)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... Software company Radii is to launch an ordering program at The Furniture Show: frs net. As well as furniture the program will deal with floorcoverings, gifts and accessories. The software handles orders - products in stock and ordered,...

Christmas cheer.(sales up at furniture and floorcoverings stores pre-Christmas)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... Good sales were seen by furniture and floorcoverings stores in the run up to Christmas. A balance of +43% of stores reported annual sales growth for 4-18 December, according to the CBI Distributive Trades Survey. This compared with +8%...

Today's the last day for entering The Furniture Awards.
January 10, 2003... Today (10 January) is the deadline for entries to The Furniture Awards 2003. There are six product awards: Bedroom Furniture, sponsored by Radii; Beds, sponsored by Leggett & Platt; Living & Dining Room Furniture, sponsored by Your Home;...

A sporting year: Eddie's review of 2002.(month by month synopsis of furniture and floor coverings industries)
January 10, 2003... January The year began with a forecast that furniture and floorcoverings sales would grow by 4%... www.cm1st.com was launched... Lindale & Chambers pulled out of the furniture market... Ikea, DFS, Sterling, Charnwood and Sealy were among...

SHOP WINDOW: LAYEZEE.
January 10, 2003... The PostureZone range continues to develop and expand. The latest addition to the range from Layezee is Cameo. Upholstered in a midnight blue, cotton rich panel and border, the Cameo is available on a contemporary divan base with solid beech...

SHOP WINDOW: OLD OAK.
January 10, 2003... Scottish designer Drew Bennett has given the Salisbury Collection a contemporary feel, using light oak with the emphasis on simple, clean lines. Throughout the collection, small, carved motifs, stained and leaded glass create different effects...

SHOP WINDOW: HOLTKAMP.
January 10, 2003... Tendence is a modern range of modular and freestanding units for the lounge and dining room. In contrast to the dominating minimal design with clean and straight lines, the characteristic of this range is the contrast colour and the slightly...

SHOP WINDOW: RELYON.
January 10, 2003... The Dieter Knoll Collection by Relyon is a top end range of bedsteads focusing on quality and finishes. The 100% solid wood range is available in beech, cherry, or oak and can be matched to any colour for the customer. The range comes with a...

Let's keep it in the family.(passing on the family business)
January 10, 2003... Passing on the family business painlessly requires planning, says David Harvey You have spent your life building up a family-run business. The children work in the business and you now want to retire. What are the options? Legal...

Retail Intelligence: November.(furniture industry sales figures for month)
January 10, 2003... As to be expected for November, sales dipped compared with October. As pre-Christmas delivery deadlines passed, shoppers switched their attention to presents, not furniture. Upholstery was the only sector to buck this trend, but only by...

Escapism.(decorating a bedroom)
January 10, 2003... Mix opulence, theatre, glamour, kitsch and you're getting a recipe for the Escapism bedroom which is limited only by your imagination, says James Millar In the depths of winter when faced with grey weather outdoors and the drudgery of...

Full of beams.(trends in lighting )
January 10, 2003... Contemporary designs are glowing, but there's something for all tastes in the lighting sector, reports Stephanie Baum It has been said before but it cannot be said enough. Home interest TV programmes and magazines have fed the flames of...

Minimal maestro.(designer Miguel Mila)
January 10, 2003... Dominic Lutyens profiles veteran Spanish designer Miguel Mila Barcelona-born furniture, interior and industrial designer Miguel Mila was a minimalist before his time. And, very probably, before the word was even coined. But Mila (72) has...

DAVID HUSSEIN: That's my department.(of Allders PLC)(Interview)
January 10, 2003... How many years have you been in the furniture trade? In my 27 years at Allders I have spent 18 years in various positions connected with the furniture industry. What's made you a success? Determination, enterprise and an offbeat...

Cairnduff sets his sights on Texstyle World.(Ken Cairnduff of Internacionale considers purchase)(Brief Article)
January 17, 2003... The race to buy Texstyle World has hotted up and a deal is expected `within days'. There are now six bidders for the chain which has been in administration since mid-December (cm, 20 Dec, 2002, p3). Leading the pack is entrepreneur Ken...

Five make entry easy at Wade.(Wade Upholstery)(Brief Article)
January 17, 2003... Wade Upholstery is to add to its `The best seat in the house', POS at The Furniture Show. Product features and benefits will be incorporated into new fabric swatches and stands. The firm will also introduce five collections, aimed...

COMMENT: January show fatigue.(furniture exhibitions)(Brief Article)
January 17, 2003... Having returned from Salon du Meuble in Paris last week, slightly worse for wear but completely inspired by the show offerings (see p4), I realised that this is just the beginning... From 8 to 22 January 2003, we all live, eat and breathe...

Phillips for Bridgecraft.(Steve Phillips joins Bridgecraft Furniture (UK) Ltd.)(Brief Article)
January 17, 2003... Steve Phillips has joined Bridgecraft as md, after leaving Rest Assured as marketing manager. `People told me that upholstery is much more involved than beds and I'm certainly finding that so far, especially at a firm like Bridgecraft...

John Cotton wraps up bedding rival.(John Cotton Group buys Northern Textiles)(Brief Article)
January 17, 2003... John Cotton Group has forecast a 40% jump in sales after buying pillow, duvet and mattress protector manufacturer Northern Textiles for an undisclosed sum. JCG is the UK's largest maker of filled bedding products while Northern Textiles...

Second Thai firm for C-T.(Christie-Tyler PLC)(control cabinet company Thai Maruni)(Brief Article)
January 17, 2003... Christie-Tyler has invested more than #2m to gain management control of Thai Maruni, a cabinet and showwood firm. Renamed Thai Christie-Tyler, it is the group's second Thai company, after upholstery firm ACT. James Benfield, C-T chief...

Grab those tickets.
January 17, 2003... There are still some tickets left for The Furniture Awards 2003 Gala Dinner. Held for the 11th time, the evening will recognise the industry's best in retailing, marketing, products and young designers. The Gala Dinner will be hosted...

More failures.(Experian report concerning corporations)(Brief Article)
January 17, 2003... The number of corporate failures rose by 9.8% to 18,926 last year, according to company information company Experian. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

UK agent.(Portal Import Export Agency)(CMP Furniture ApS)(Brief Article)
January 17, 2003... Portal Import Export Agency has become the UK agent for Danish flatpack firm CMP Furniture. Tel: 01327 341 716. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Early start.(Slumberland Inc. begins production of mattresses)(Brief Article)
January 17, 2003... Production of Dunlopillo mattresses and divans has begun at Slumberland's Oldham factory, several weeks ahead of schedule. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

HoF deadline.(Tom Hunter offer for House of Fraser PLC)(Brief Article)
January 17, 2003... The Takeover Panel has given Tom Hunter until 24 January to decide if he will bid for House of Fraser. HoF has refused talks unless he raises his #197m indicative offer. If Hunter withdraws he will be unable to bid for six months. ...

Copyright talk.(seminar at The Lighting Show)(Brief Article)
January 17, 2003... Anti Copying in Design (ACID) is to host the Copyright Spotlight seminar on the legal protection for designs at The Lighting Show on 20 January at 11am. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Property manager.(Weatherall Green and Smith named national property manager by Magnet)(Brief Article)
January 17, 2003... Magnet has named Weatherall Green & Smith as national property manager, as part of its contracting out programme. It is a three year contract. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

New site soon for Universal.(Universal Furniture)(Brief Article)
January 17, 2003... Universal Furniture is `days rather than weeks' away from moving to new premises and getting back to business following the fire that destroyed its factory. Universal's Aberdare factory and #2.5m of stock was razed by a blaze just before...

Inflate at Selfridges.(Brief Article)
January 17, 2003... Inflate will open an 800sqft concession at Selfridges' London store on 25 January. It will feature Inflate's furniture, including the plastic Snoozy bed and its inflatable products, including the Memo chair. The layout of the...

Christmas boost.(Argos PLC sales up)(Brief Article)
January 17, 2003... Argos proved popular over Christmas with the chain seeing like for like sales climb by 7% in the three months to 31 December. Despite this, growth was half of that in 2001. Total sales rose 14%. Home furnishing sales were `particularly...

Sealy to launch brochure.(Brief Article)
January 17, 2003... Sealy is to launch a brochure at The Furniture Show next week. The company will also reveal details of its 2003 consumer advertising campaign and launch its Breatheezzz mattress moisture management system. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Buoyant buys Richard Henry.(Buoyant Upholstery buys Richard Henry Furnishing)(Brief Article)
January 17, 2003... Buoyant Upholstery has bought sofabed maker Richard Henry Furnishing. Previous owners, Nigel and Bev Chapman, stay on to run the company which will continue to trade from its Bradford site. Buoyant, in Nelson, Lancashire, will provide...

Steens and Kjellbergs settle legal row.(Brief Article)
January 17, 2003... Steens and Kjellbergs have ended their five month legal battle. `After prolonged negotiation, all legal actions between the companies have been withdrawn. The companies are now looking forward to continuing their business activities free...

Paris show sets the scene for the future.(Salon du Meuble)(Brief Article)
January 17, 2003... An emphasis on lifestyle characterised the offering at Salon du Meuble, held last week in Paris. The event (9-13 January) was made more accessible to exhibitors and visitors by dividing the exhibition into 11 different sectors and...

Letter of the month: Encouragement please for agents.(Letter to the Editor)
January 17, 2003... As a former agent, I wish to put forward the case of agents (cm, 20 Nov, 2002, p8). Companies have agents as a cheap alternative to full time representatives. Before 1994, when the regulations came in, a number of agents were subjected to...

Heimtextil goes retro.(Brief Article)
January 17, 2003... A 1970s retro look was very much in evidence at Heimtextil in Frankfurt this week. The event (8-12 January) saw designers take the 1970's feel but apply more muted colours. Textile firms shrugged off fears about the state of the German...

Pioneer Parish dies.(Gerry Parish, founder of Queensway)(Brief Article)
January 17, 2003... Gerry Parish, founder of Queensway who will always be remembered for pioneering of out of town shopping in the UK, died from cancer on 16 December 2002, aged 71. He began his career in the furnishings industry as a carpet fitter at John...

City: Relatively speaking a share of good news.(industry revenues and share prices down in general)(Brief Article)
January 17, 2003... The Cabinet Maker Index prospered in relative terms in 2002, losing 16.5% in value against a fall of 25% in the FTSE 100. However, a third consecutive year of falling share prices confirms the worst period for equity investors since the Great...

Share Update on 13 January.(Brief Article)
January 17, 2003... Share Update on 13 January Bold=new High/Low Now Change Change High Low over since 2 weeks 1 Jan Retailers...

Laura Ashley warning.(lower than expected furnishings sales)(Brief Article)
January 17, 2003... `Unexpectedly high levels of discounts and a change in the product mix,' saw lower than expected home furnishings trading performance over Christmas at Laura Ashley. In the six weeks to 4 January, like for like home furnishing sales were...

Creditable influences.(survey on UK furniture market )
January 17, 2003... Cabinet Maker asked what and who has had the most impact on the furniture trade in the past 30 years, here we reveal the answers The widespread use of interest free credit and the greater availability of credit have had the largest impact...

What's on the cards for 2003? - Christie-Tyler.(Brief Article)
January 17, 2003... If Content by Conran lives to up to expectations when it is launched in two days' time, C-T could have the biggest winner of the year on its hands. This year could also see the introduction of cabinet ranges to complement its existing...

What's on the cards for 2003? - Marks and Spencer.(Brief Article)
January 17, 2003... With Vittorio Radice, Selfridges chief executive due to join as head of home furnishings and Sally Bendelow, Heal's buying director joining as head of creative for the home department, Marks & Spencer promises to shake-up its furniture and...

What's on the cards for 2003? - Argos-Homebase.(Brief Article)
January 17, 2003... Argos has seriously increased its furniture sales in the past few years. So much so, that in 2001/2002 it had sales of #370m. With its #900m takeover of Homebase, Argos now has a further opportunity to take the market by storm. The...

What's on the cards for 2003? - Allders-House of Fraser.(Brief Article)
January 17, 2003... Allders is set for a change of ownership. But the questions is, to who? Will major shareholder Minerva succeed in buying the group - to get its hands on its Croydon flagship for redevelopment - with former BhS chief executive Terry Green...

What's on the cards for 2003? - Silentnight Holdings.(Brief Article)
January 17, 2003... This year will be of huge importance for the group. Can Nino Allenza, the recently appointed chief executive, sort out the loss making furniture division? The management at Parker Knoll has been shaken up in an effort to restore it to the...

What's on the cards for 2003? - Return?(speculation about management changes at Silentnight Holdings PLC and other companies)(Brief Article)
January 17, 2003... The past year also saw a number of previously prominent figures leave the industry. Will Bill Simpson, former Silentnight Holdings chief executive; Andrew Banasik, former Wade Upholstery md; and Andrew Clark, former Silentnight Holdings...

SHOP WINDOW: THE GALLERY.
January 17, 2003... With the renewed interest in 20th century modernism and design, Elliot was created by The Gallery to provide the foundations for a minimalist bedroom. Its white panel door and contemporary clean lines give a feeling of space. Contact The...

SHOP WINDOW: VANTONA.
January 17, 2003... Vantona Beds has launched its Spring collection with new colours and patterns following fashion trends. The Tivira Check echoes bold Burberry-style checks in three distinctive colourways. Contact Vantona Beds on 0161 2511500 Copyright:...

SHOP WINDOW: EXCLUSIVE FURNISHINGS.
January 17, 2003... This Oriental hand painted bureau in black lacquer is a traditional piece from the Pearl River region in China. The bureau is part of a range of 15 pieces from dining room tables to small chests in brown, red, black and gold leaf detailing. ...

SHOP WINDOW: WALLBED.
January 17, 2003... Aire Fresco is a home office range from The London Wallbed Company which offers a mix and match solution for those looking for a compact work area. It offers a large range of satellite units and office furniture to hide away computers when they...

SHOP WINDOW: SANDERSON.
January 17, 2003... Floral Garden by Sanderson is a collection of botanical prints suitable for contemporary and classic homes. The hellebores are part of a range of spring flowers complemented with a collection of checks, chenille ribs, silks and jacquards. ...

Shrinkage: getting out of hot water.(how a small business should manage a fraud investigation)
January 17, 2003... Clayton Ruthven discusses how to deal with fraud in a small business You have just uncovered a fraud where stock has been disappearing through an unofficial till operated by a staff member. The sums involved run to tens of thousands of...

Solid assets.(New Heights furniture maker and retailer)(Company Profile)
January 17, 2003... In just three years, New Heights has built an #8m business by concentrating on solid wood furniture at accessible prices. Jane Oliphant reports What do you do if you are trying to buy furniture for your home but cannot find anything you...

Flag flies at half mast for British furniture sales.(survey reveals economic difficulties caused by imported furniture)
January 17, 2003... Imports continue to squeeze British furniture out of the shops, and Cabinet Maker's latest research shows that consumers don't care It is no secret that imported furniture has steadily taken a strong hold on the UK market - a stranglehold,...

Shapes of things to come.(Frayling Furniture Ltd.)
January 17, 2003... Not only famous for the successful Sienna range, Fraylings has been very active in the leather upholstery business for the last 15 years. This followed a period selling the famous Fiesta corner group, when corner groups were so popular that...

Final countdown.(The Furniture Awards' Young Designer Award)
January 17, 2003... Thirty students entered The Furniture Awards' Young Designer Award this year, sponsored by Furniture Village. Tony Hollyer takes a closer look at the five finalists First prize of a sponsored three-month work placement at top retailer...

Whatever happened to.(design award winners Paul Crofts, David Hancock, Gareth Griffiths)
January 17, 2003... The winners and finalists of the Young Designer Award in its various guises? Stephanie Baum talks to three previous entrants As almost any recent graduate of a design college in the UK may tell you, it can be challenging to be a slave to...

Simons says.(Carolyn Simons of Homestyle Group PLC)
January 17, 2003... Carolyn Simons is the Homestyle Group md who intends to harness the power of the brands and put the company back on the right course - and stay there, reports James Millar There will be many people in the furniture industry revelling in...

Flexible friends.(space-saving furniture becoming more popular)
January 17, 2003... With homes getting smaller, multifunctional furniture is becoming a must, reports James Millar Space-saving furniture is a sector that continues to go from strength to strength. Modern house design is driving the demand for furniture that...

Selling the knowledge.(Rycotewood College offers course in furniture sales)
January 17, 2003... The more you know about your product the better you will be at selling it, is the theory behind a training course at Rycotewood College, says Stephanie Baum Although a relatively small institution, Rycotewood College has a surprising...

Design delights.(www.designaddict.com)
January 17, 2003... James Millar gets online and finds a plethora of information on design Website www.designaddict.com claims to be `The portal for design lovers', and it's hard to argue with that. The website contains a mind-boggling amount of...

Much more to offer the retailer.(furniture distributor Woodways Imports)
January 17, 2003... Known throughout the furniture industry as a leading importer and distributor of traditional dining furniture, Nottingham based Woodways Imports now has much more to offer the independent furniture retailer. Over the last couple of years,...

CHARLES LOVELACE: Racing with the best.(furniture designer)(Interview)
January 17, 2003... What three words describe you? Go for it! What's your proudest achievement? Winning an Avon Tyre sale competition and the prize was two weeks holiday for my wife Sarah and myself in Majorca. Also, collecting The Furniture Industry...

Leekes has its finger on the button to take top award.(furniture industry's 2003 Retailers of the Year)(Brief Article)
January 24, 2003... Leekes, Barker & Stonehouse and Ikea are the furniture industry's 2003 Retailers of the Year. Three-store South West and Wales family-owned chain Leekes won The Furniture Awards Business Excellence award. Five store North East chain...

Comment: A walk on the bright side.(The Furniture Show)(Brief Article)
January 24, 2003... There was something a bit different about The Furniture Show this year. Exhibitors have upped the stakes with the design of their stands and quality of new products, as they all make the most of this huge marketing opportunity. The show...

`Well conceived' win for young designer.(furniture designer Robert Scarlett)(Brief Article)
January 24, 2003... A dining table that incorporates a sideboard to save space, saw Robert Scarlett, University of Central England in Birmingham, furniture design student win the Young Designers award. The extending table has three drawers, allowing storage of...

Consumers choose Actona.(winner of House Beautiful's Consumers Choice award)(Brief Article)
January 24, 2003... Actona's Loguna Upholstery was the winner of the Consumers Choice award chosen by the House Beautiful editorial panel. They described it as `fantastic value, stylish, the ultimate in comfort and the sofa is somewhere to truly sink into and...

Multiyork's strong signature.(wins Consumer Marketing award)(Brief Article)
January 24, 2003... Multiyork scooped the Consumer Marketing award for its 2002 summer sale. The judges praised the campaign for having a `very strong signature', stressing the quality of the products and maintaining the integrity of the campaign during the...

Leather Upholstered Furniture award.(won by V&A Upholstered Furniture )(Brief Article)
January 24, 2003... The Leather Upholstered Furniture award was won by V&A Upholstered Furniture with its Jazz sofa. Designed by Steven Oulds, the 1930s influenced model was a `fabulous piece.' It retails at #2,000. Wade Upholstery's Romney large sofa and Incanto...

Silentnight wins Beds accolade.(Silentnight Holdings PLC)(Brief Article)
January 24, 2003... Silentnight Beds' childrens' My First Bed was the `clear winner' of the Beds award. The judges `loved the innovation turning the bedroom into the child's personality'. A range of accessories allows the child to personalise the bed and...

Innovative and comfortable.(Gloster Furniture wins award)(Brief Article)
January 24, 2003... In a very close decision, the Living and Dining Room Furniture award went to Gloster Furniture's Manhattan dining chair. Combining synthetic wicker with solid teak arms, the chair was praised for its `innovative use of materials, being...