Cabinet Maker articles from January 2006

Cabinet Maker archives from January 2006

New stores boost.
January 6, 2006... After a poor 2005, the year ended on a positive note with several firms expanding on Boxing Day A series of store openings, including Furniture Village's new concept department, FV2, in Southampton, gave the industry a positive end to...

Global award.
January 6, 2006... Tempur has presented its World Customer of the Year award to AIS. In the four years since it became a customer, the buying group has become the biggest purchaser of Tempur products outside the US. Jacqui Stefanov, Tempur UK md presented the...

Sales look up despite temporary freeze.
January 6, 2006... Freezing temperatures, snow and icy conditions kept consumers away from stores for three of the most vital sale days after Christmas. But figures from the Retail FootFall Index, produced by FootFall, showed attendance was initially up by 8%...

2005: survival of the fittest.
January 6, 2006... Mark Lewis looks at a year of failure, rescue and a slowdown in spending JANUARY The retail rot begins in January when it becomes clear Allders is on the brink. The industry is just getting to grips with a landscape without Courts,...

City: After a record high, the decline set in.(Brief Article)
January 6, 2006... In 2005 the Cabinet Maker share price index gained an insignificant seven points. Following a good start to the year, the all-time high set in March was swiftly undermined by a disappointing retail sector. Next is a good example of the...

Patience has paid off for Marks & Spencer investors.(Brief Article)
January 6, 2006... Marks & Spencer's two-year chart shows how investors' patience has been rewarded. From June 2004 to September 2005, the shares churned around 350p, following the indicated 400p offer from entrepreneur Philip Green. At the time of the offer,...

Views: 06.01.06.
January 6, 2006... Views By Andrew Lydon What a rollercoaster ride 2005 has been! It has certainly been character building in the fabric and upholstery sector and I daresay many Cabinet Maker readers would agree. So why has 2005 been such a challenging...

Leader: Bargaining for a good sale.
January 6, 2006... From talking to retailers this week it seems the winter sales got off to a reasonable start, with consumers heading for retail parks and high streets with the intention of doing something many of them have not done for some time - buy...

Views By Shaun Davies.
January 6, 2006... What do David Gray, James Blunt and Chinese imports have in common? They all got so much publicity in 2005 that it's become dull+so, I'm not going to talk about the Far East. Another thing I won't talk about is the bleak year we've had for...

Comment: Talk.(Brief Article)
January 6, 2006... What do you expect for furniture retail in 2006? `I genuinely expect compression. I think we are going to have to work in a tighter environment financially. We have gone through the stage of glass being fashionable and will wait for the new...

NEWS ANALYSIS: Slow road to recovery.
January 6, 2006... The industry did not fare too well in 2005 so hopes are high for 2006. Mark Lewis analyses the facts then gazes into his crystal ball to see what's likely Last year was the year of the multiple failure. With so few left, and with MFI in...

SHOP WINDOW - Accessories: Royal Yacht Enterprises.
January 6, 2006... The Britannia collection of accessories from Royal Yacht Enterprises includes tea towels, linen napkins, serving trays and fine bone china. Inspired by the hand-embroidered silk panel above the Queen's bed, profits from the sale of merchandise...

SHOP WINDOW - Accessories: Radiating Style.
January 6, 2006... Radiating Style has combined a sleek stainless steel look with retro design to create the Serpentine radiator. Designed by Peter Rankin, who has been inspired by Alessi and the figurative work of Henry Moore, it is available in white and...

SHOP WINDOW - Accessories: Roger Lascelles Clocks.
January 6, 2006... The aim for Roger Lascelles Clocks is making products that owners enjoy having. Its dial designs are inspired by clocks from the Lascelles antique shop. Its latest collection is a range of round enamel clocks with modern styling. Tel: 020...

SHOP WINDOW - Accessories: Top Floor.
January 6, 2006... Top Floor has expanded from rugs into soft furnishings, including the Scrunch. Designer Esti Barnes's rugs are known for varied textiles, muted colours and unusual materials and this theme is continued in the cushions and throws. Tel: 020...

SHOP WINDOW - Accessories: Rolf Benz.
January 6, 2006... Rolf Benz's Circolo rug is made from felted new wool yarns and is inspired by timeless, graphical patterns. All Rolf Benz rugs are hand- made from pure New Zealand wool. Tel: 01908 604 629 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW - Accessories: Villeroy and Boch.
January 6, 2006... Villeroy & Boch's NewWave Platinum range of tableware follows the successful NewWave collection which is now available with an elegant platinum rim. Tel: 020 8875 6060 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

STORE MANAGER: Spot the leader.
January 6, 2006... Many like to think that they are a good boss, but how can you tell? Lindsay Payne offers some clues So, you think you're a good boss, but are you sure your employees would agree? Good bosses earn respect and admiration for their...

INTERVIEW - PETER BROWN: Agent provocateur.(Interview)
January 6, 2006... With half a century of experience in the furniture industry, Peter Brown has firm opinions on what is currently happening and prospects for the future Peter Brown has been involved with the furniture industry for his entire working life,...

PREVIEW IRELAND: Irish eye the UK.
January 6, 2006... Irish firms will be out in force at The Furniture Show aiming to attract new agents and retailers There will be a number of exhibitors at The Furniture Show making a short hop across the sea from Ireland, looking to increase their dealings...

PREVIEW - KBB: Record breaker.
January 6, 2006... KBB, incorporating Expotile, is bigger than ever as it seeks to attract a more sophisticated visitor to the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom extravaganza KBB incorporating Expotile, the biennial exhibition for the kitchen, bedroom, bathroom...

RETAIL INTELLIGENCE: November 2005 trading.
January 6, 2006... If October 2005 was a good month for you, then you were likely to have enjoyed November as well. Equally, if October was a month you'd rather forget, then November holds no fond memories for you either. November was broadly a repeat of October....

MARKET REVIEW: Try and try again.
January 6, 2006... Internet users may be familiar with the price search website Kelkoo, but does its namesake Kelkool match up when searching for furniture or should you stick with the genuine article? Cabinet Maker took a look to find out Kelkool.co.uk...

Please call back, it adds to the variety.(Weco Polstermobel sales manager)(Interview)
January 6, 2006... Peter Headington is the sales manager for the UK & Ireland for Weco Polstermobel What does your job involve on a day-to-day basis? The selling in - and just as important, the selling out - of the Weco range through UK and Irish...

Retailers drop Sprung Slumber.
January 13, 2006... Delays prompt stores to act An increasing number of independent retailers have become disenchanted with beds manufacturer Sprung Slumber, following a catalogue of service and quality complaints. The irate customers include single...

December ends on a high.
January 13, 2006... December proved the best month for British retailers in nearly four years, but the lion's share of growth for furniture retailers continued to come from discounts and promotions. The BRC/KPMG retail sales monitor showed an overall sales...

People: Steens.(Steens UK)(Brief Article)
January 13, 2006... Keith Robinson, Steens UK sales and marketing director has replaced Peter Hansen as md of UK, Spain and Ireland operations. Svend Axel Nilsson has been appointed chief executive of the Danish manufacturer's worldwide business after a stint as...

People: Hypnos.(appointments)(Brief Article)
January 13, 2006... It's all change at Hypnos where Geoff Woodman, retail sales director is taking semi-retirement, and will be replaced by Terry Barber. Woodman will retain a role as head of customer training. The offspring of Peter Keen, chairman, are also on...

Failure cycle blamed for vacant warehouses.
January 13, 2006... Report looks to growing chains to refill out of town warehouse sites after crash of Allders and Courts Retail failures in the furniture sector are largely responsible for an unprecedented number of vacant retail warehouse plots. That...

Reigate protest saves sales.
January 13, 2006... The owner of Surrey retailer the Furnishing Touch, who feared street works would hit sales over the Christmas period, has seen better sales after standing up to the local council. Richard Hawkins, owner of the Reigate furniture and...

Mitchell to leave Layezee Beds.(Douglas Mitchell)(Brief Article)
January 13, 2006... Douglas Mitchell, Layezee Beds sales director is leaving at the end of February, as his post is being axed. It follows the news that Layezee production is to move to the group's Silentnight Beds business in February or March. It was said...

In brief: OBE for Leeke.(Gerald Leeke)(Brief Article)
January 13, 2006... Gerald Leeke, Leekes md was awarded an OBE in the New Year's honours list for services to the retail and leisure industries and to the community in South Wales. The first Leekes department store opened in Llantrisant, near Cardiff in 1976. With...

In brief: Big screen move.(Grilles Direct)(Brief Article)
January 13, 2006... Wood furniture supplier Winther Browne has bought out Grilles Direct, making it the largest provider of screening panels in the UK. Family- owned business, Winther, provides radiator cabinets, bookcases and screening panels, with East...

In brief: Two into one.
January 13, 2006... Furniture maker Shackletons is relocating to a 26,000sqft factory in Dewsbury, Huddersfield. The Batley, manufacturer is best known for its upholstered chairs. The business is currently based at two sites and will move in March. Shackletons was...

In brief: New edge.
January 13, 2006... Link International Interiors has launched Edge Furniture as part of a strategic expansion to broaden its portfolio. Christian Petersen, md said it had `been considering the introduction of a new company and brand for some time'. Edge will...

Ikea set for UK trial of online sales.
January 13, 2006... Retailer plans website and 10 high street stores Ikea is to join the growing band of furniture retailers selling their products online with the launch of a transactional website in the summer. The website is the second part of the...

Coultas plans to export himself.
January 13, 2006... David Coultas, Rooms of Coventry home furnishing coordinator has decided to end his 37-year career in the industry. The 53-year-old, who is emigrating to Australia, said the industry has changed enormously, with products lacking the quality...

Bargain hunters increase.
January 13, 2006... Research by Direct Line Home Insurance predicts British shoppers will splash out #1.7bn more this January than they did last year. More than 40% of people surveyed said they had cut down on pre- Christmas spending with a view to picking up...

Home rise at M&S.(Marks & Spencer)(Brief Article)
January 13, 2006... Pre-Christmas progress for chain's homewares The renaissance at Marks & Spencer's home division continued apace with the retailer reporting a 3.8% sales increase for the 13 weeks to 31 December. The news, which included a hike in...

Saving not shopping.(Brief Article)
January 13, 2006... The fall in high street spending is explained by figures that show more people are saving money. According to the quarterly report by National Savings and Investments, a Government backed bonds issuer, people saved an average 7.2% of their...

New stores perform well for Smallbone.(Brief Article)
January 13, 2006... Performance across Smallbone's newest UK stores has been ahead of management expectations in 2005. Kitchen, bathroom and bedroom designer Smallbone opened new showrooms in St John's Wood, London and Glasgow in 2005 and in Sunningdale,...

EPIC buys Past Times.(Brief Article)
January 13, 2006... Venture Capitalist, EPIC Reconstructions has bought Past Times from administrator Vantis for an undisclosed sum. Vantis, named administrator of Past Time parent Retail Variations on 30 December, sold the firm's other retail operation,...

In brief: Clocking on.
January 13, 2006... Billib, the UK grandfather clock specialist, has become the agent for Bulova grandfather clocks. Bulova, a US firm which specialises in watches, has developed a range of grandfather clocks which will be shown in the UK for the first time at The...

Open to optimism.
January 13, 2006... New stores raise hopes of a healthier retailing year The post-Christmas period saw an even greater number of store openings in what is usually the busiest time of the year for the industry, it has emerged. As well as new shops from...

Letter: The need for true furniture men.(Letter to the Editor)
January 13, 2006... I was pleased and interested to receive and read the yearbook celebrating 125 years of Cabinet Maker. However, I felt I must write to question your choice of Lord Graham Kirkham to write the foreword. Admittedly, Lord Kirkham and DFS have...

Letter: SATRA - for independent testing.(Letter to the Editor)
January 13, 2006... I was interested to read `Central fire test call for imports' (CM, 25 Nov, 2005, p5). Indeed, both manufacturer and customer stand to lose if furniture products are not properly tested for safety, for example fire retardant tests as mentioned...

Leader: Shows are worth the sore feet.(Brief Article)
January 13, 2006... All of a sudden, it seems, the January show season is upon us again. A relentless schedule of shows stretches ahead of us, with worn shoe leather and long hours to look forward to. But while buyers and exhibitors are tempted to moan about the...

Views By Andy Braid.
January 13, 2006... The news this week that December 2005 proved the most encouraging month for retailers in four years is welcome. Retailers are the lifeblood of the furniture industry and they hold the key to its success. The next few weeks are the most...

Talk: The Furniture Show.
January 13, 2006... What do you expect from The Furniture Show and how has it changed over the years? `I always expect to find a winner, something different but not so much that it won't be acceptable at large. It has to be something that will be innovative...

NEWS ANALYSIS: What goes down, moves up.
January 13, 2006... Next and Marks & Spencer's move into the budget market has paid off for them, but will it work for other mid-market retailers, asks Mark Lewis In the middle of last year, retail market research firm Verdict, predicted that mid-market...

SHOP WINDOW: Spring Fair - Blue Poppy Art.(Brief Article)
January 13, 2006... Blue Poppy Art will introduce its collection of Italian Linea Sette ceramics, sculpted and manufactured in porcelain gres by the Bucco brothers in the shadows of the Dolomites. Their designs of animals and the human figure are created in free...

SHOP WINDOW: Spring Fair - Crabfish.
January 13, 2006... Crabfish, a collection of three Brighton artists - Colin Ruffell, Kate Osborne and Mike Embden - will display a range of art and decorative accessories. Tel: 01273 550 010 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW: Spring Fair - Broste Copenhagen.
January 13, 2006... Broste Copenhagen has taken the Caribbean and Florida as the inspiration for its collection of accessories and textiles. Pastels and mellow shades combine with a nostalgic feel. Tel: 00 45 4593 1255 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW: Spring Fair - Freud.
January 13, 2006... Freud will debut a collection of spice mills and Stove Top espresso makers which are available in either wood, cream, black, blue or pink handles. Tel: 020 7240 1100 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW: Spring Fair - Tripod Home.
January 13, 2006... Tripod Home will show its range of reclaimed teak furniture along with its striking and contemporary white marble collection of statuary, created by design director Jacqui Podmore. Tel: 01934 877 088 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW: Spring Fair - Eastward.
January 13, 2006... Eastward will showcase its extensive range of Lloyd Loom and rattan furniture, including a contemporary collection in natural-coloured grey pullut rattan and wicker, featuring larger sized suites to smaller sofas and chairs for where space is...

SHOP WINDOW: Spring Fair - Shared Earth.
January 13, 2006... Shared Earth's launches will include a striking collection of contemporary ceramics and elegant selections of bags in leather and silk. Other new products include some fun finger puppets, available in a variety of animal designs, from mice to...

STORE MANAGER: Green ways to save on costs.
January 13, 2006... Improving the environmental impact of a business can bring commercial advantages, reports Lindsay Payne Taking steps to improve the environmental performance of your business, or going green, is not just a `nice to have' - it can bring...

Store Manager: Action on waste.
January 13, 2006... At smaller companies, management time and resources are often thinly spread. There are unlikely to be staff dedicated to environmental management at a small business and it may be difficult to get issues that seem `soft' or non-critical on to...

INTERVIEW - GARETH GRIFFITHS: Perfectly focused.
January 13, 2006... An obsession with detail and a love of traditional qualities lie at the heart of this designer's approach to his work, reports Charlotte Walsh Gareth Griffiths is not just passionate about woodwork, he's obsessed. During the course of this...

CV: Gareth Griffiths.(Dovetail Lifestyle Furniture )(Brief Article)
January 13, 2006... After graduating from design school in 1992, Griffiths travelled around Australia. On returning to the UK he secured his first design job at Scottwood of Nottingham, designing hand-made kitchens and bedrooms. During his freelance career his...

CAMPAIGN TALK UP TRADE: Modern with a difference.
January 13, 2006... We're now in the third and final month of our Talk Up Trade campaign and the success stories keep coming in. This week we look at innovation which has enabled companies to manufacture bespoke furniture, replenish neglected forests in Sheffield,...

CAMPAIGN TALK UP TRADE: Sustainable project pays dividends.
January 13, 2006... The efforts of a bespoke furniture maker in Sheffield is helping revive woodlands that have been neglected since the demise of the area's steel industry. There are some 80 ancient woodlands around Sheffield, which were previously used to...

CAMPAIGN TALK UP TRADE: A licence to tailor make furniture.
January 13, 2006... Colinton Furniture is celebrating its best year of business since it was taken over by the MacKay family 20 years ago. Roddy MacKay is md of the company which manufactures bespoke furniture in Musselburgh, Midlothian. It deals directly with...

CAMPAIGN TALK UP TRADE: A first in lounging.
January 13, 2006... The industry is brimming with innovation - a fact demonstrated by outdoor furniture manufacturer David Craig's launch of a patented electronically adjusted Spa lounger. It is the first lounger that can be adjusted by controls without...

MATERIALS TRENDS: The alternatives.
January 13, 2006... Is wood losing its gloss and under threat from finishes in lacquer, metal and glass? Sandra Danby finds out what consumers are likely to want in 2006 Everyone is thinking outside the box more these days, accepting things which previously...

Trends for 2006 at Habitat.(Brief Article)
January 13, 2006... Guest House Influences - serene spring retreat; romantic escapism; pared-down luxury; natural, elegant, sensual, organic curves. Furniture materials - wood and stone. Town House Influences - sophisticated sociability; graphic...

MATERIALS TRENDS: Non-wood bestsellers.
January 13, 2006... Habitat: Verdi white plastic chair. Why? Easily stacked, flexible enough to fit in the dining room, kitchen or office. Skandium: Saarinen table by Eero Saarinen. Why? From the 1960s with trumpet base in metal, with a white or...

MATERIALS WOODS: Natural choices.(Oak, Maple and Pine )
January 13, 2006... Each timber has individual attributes that can impact on design and their use. Ben Burbidge offers his advice on which woods to use in the kitchen Real wood is generally considered to be the preferred option for home- owners who want a...

MATERIALS WOODS: Unique designs.(Natural wood )
January 13, 2006... With wood offering so many options in colour, grain and texture, as well as being flexible and versatile, natural wood kitchens are more popular than ever. Despite ongoing innovation and improvement in wood imitations - to the point where in...

PREVIEW UK: Home guard.
January 13, 2006... In excess of 450 UK companies are taking the wrappers off products and services at The Furniture Show, Andrew Kidd highlights a selection of them Abels will make its debut at The Furniture Show, introducing its home delivery service, which...

PREVIEW UK: Great British package.
January 13, 2006... As the proportion of imported furniture coming in to the UK reaches an all-time high, British manufacturers should capitalise on the unique all-round package they can offer to retailers. The industry needs to be less price driven and look...

CM offcuts: Kitchen drama.
January 13, 2006... Clive Christian's latest range has been inspired by the work of film director Stanley Kubrick. No, not the cabinet war rooms of Dr Strangelove, but the decadent glamour of Eyes Wide Shut, the controversial film starring Tom Cruise and Nicole...

Good advice and a taste for outdoors.
January 13, 2006... Howard Barnett is joint md of garden furniture company PJ Bridgman How did you get started in the industry? I've always been involved in the furniture industry in one way or another. I started in 1964 selling furniture fittings, before...

CM offcuts: BSI honours Marchant.(British Standards Institute )(furniture fire safety research )(Brief Article)
January 13, 2006... Roger Marchant, SATRA expert on furniture flammability, has been honoured by the British Standards Institute (BSI) for his years of service. The `certificate of merit for distinguished service' follows the announcement that he is to retire...

CM offcuts: Who wants to snuggle up?(housing and homeless charity)(Brief Article)
January 13, 2006... During these cold winter nights, it would seem that British women enjoy nothing more than a spot of `snuggling' in bed. And, as if it needed confirmation, a poll by Silentnight Beds revealed that Darren Gough is the celebrity choice for the...

Ilva sets five UK store target.
January 20, 2006... Danish retailer plans fast deliveries and five UK stores within two years The long awaited arrival of Danish furniture store, Ilva, to the UK will yield five stores by the end of 2007. The company is seeking planning permission for a...

New outdoor and lighting events for 2007.
January 20, 2006... The Interiors Event, which incorporates The Furniture Show, will see two new exhibitions for 2007. The umbrella show, which already includes Design Interiors, Collection, Furnishing Accessories and Soft, will also now include Outdoor Living, an...

Fashion boost.(Bradshaw Beds)(Leggett and Platt's Fashion Bed Group)(Brief Article)
January 20, 2006... Nottinghamshire bedstead supplier Bradshaw Beds will double its business in the UK by taking over the marketing and distribution of Leggett & Platt's Fashion Bed Group range. L&P's brand of US-designed ornamental bedsteads has been...

Red tape must be cut.
January 20, 2006... Pressure group says bureaucracy is hitting smaller firms most Furniture retailers and other small businesses are being squashed under the weight of bureaucracy, according to the Forum of Private Business (FPB). It said the Government must...

Young choose multiples.
January 20, 2006... Young people are spearheading the migration of furniture shoppers from independent retailers to large multiples, according to Cabinet Maker research. The study, by research firm GfK NOP, asked consumers where they head first for furniture...

People: Halo Furnishings.(Mark Davidson promoted)(Brief Article)
January 20, 2006... Mark Davidson, previously Halo national accounts sales manager has been promoted to head of sales at Halo Furnishings. This move has enabled Sam Jackson, previously head of field sales to become operations manager of Halo Furnishings. Mark...

Joining the team.(Rachel Calton joined Cabinet Maker )(Brief Article)
January 20, 2006... Rachel Calton has joined Cabinet Maker as features writer. The 25 year- old English graduate has previously worked for the Camden New Journal and the Times Education Supplement website. On her appointment she said: `I am looking forward to The...

In brief: FTBA donations.(Furnishing Trades Benevolent Association)(Brief Article)
January 20, 2006... Much of the profit from Inside, the new interiors party at The Furniture Show, will be donated to the Furnishing Trades Benevolent Association (FTBA). Profits from the roulette table, the cloakroom and sales of tequila shots at the event will...