Cabinet Maker articles from June 2002

Cabinet Maker archives from June 2002

Tempur questions safety of UK fire laws compliant beds.(foam mattresses)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... Beds which have been treated to comply with the flammability regulations may be less safe than beds which do not comply, according to the UK md of bed firm Tempur. The main foam mattress on Tempur's products does not comply with the...

Comment: Time to sort out the confusion.(between UK's Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations and European Union's Medical Devices Directive)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... Let's get one thing straight: selling a product which doesn't comply with the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations but that is classified as a medical device under the Medical Devices Directive is perfectly legal (see above)....

BRMA rejects cancer claim for fire retardants.(British Rubber Manufacturers' Association)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... Chemicals used in furniture to make the products comply with the flammability regulations do not cause cancer, according to British Rubber Manufacturers' Association senior membership executive Dr David Waite. Dr Waite rejected a...

Companies praise fire regulations.(Silentnight Holdings, Vitafoam executives support the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... Silentnight Holdings chief executive Bill Simpson and Vitafoam md Peter Hudson have praised the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations. `Silentnight believes strongly that the flammability regulations are in the best...

Trevor Evans.(Obituary)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... The funeral of former Ultra Furniture and Walker & Homer md Trevor Evans took place on 23 May. He died on 18 May after a long illness. He is survived by his wife Pauline and sons Andrew and Timothy. `Trevor enjoyed an outstanding...

Retailers feel sales growth slowdown.(furniture and floorcoverings)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 7, 2002... Furniture and floorcoverings retailers saw annual sales volume growth in May. According to the CBI Distributive Trades Survey a balance of 32% of stores said sales were higher than in 2001. This compared with a balance of 53% in April...

Argos boost.(sales, profits rise)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 7, 2002... Sales at Argos rose 9% to #4.6bn with pre-tax profits up 8.3% to #254.7m, boosted partly by a `strong performance from furniture' in the year to 31 March. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

New Master.(Christopher Claxton Stevens installed as Master of The Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... Christopher Claxton Stevens has been installed as Master of The Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers. Stevens is a director at 18th century English furniture specialist Norman Adams. Details, tel: 0207 248 1677. Copyright: CMP...

Frank Hudson display.(opens 1,500sq ft showroom)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 7, 2002... Frank Hudson has opened a 1,500sqft showroom at its premises in High Wycombe. Details, tel: 01494 522 011. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Online credit.(First National Finance Corporation)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... First National has launched First-online, an online credit product for retailers. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

FTBA entries.
June 7, 2002... Places are still available for the Cabinet Maker FTBA National Golf Championship 2002, held from 3-4 July at the Celtic Manor resort. Details, tel: 0207 579 4337. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

First standard.
June 7, 2002... ISF Coatings claims to be the first company in the coatings industry to be awarded ISO 9000: 2000 status. Details, tel: 0116 233 2222. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Volume tunes in to young design talent.(design company)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... Design company Volume, founded by Steve Armitage, has expanded into a cooperative design group with the addition of four young designers. Among the new designers are Lynne Wilson who designed the Loopie table which has been taken on by...

Cost cutting pays off at Courts.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 7, 2002... The cost cutting of the first year of its three-year recovery plan has seen Courts increase UK operating profits from #460,000 to #7.4m in the year to 31 March. Sales climbed by #3.3m to #253.6, with like for like sales up 4%. ...

Harrison no turn mattress is 2 Easy.(Harrison Beds)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... Harrison Beds has unveiled a pocketed spring unit, 2 Easy. It is intended to solve the problem of sway in a vertically double unit by compressing the lower spring. `The advantage is because of the way the two springs interact, there is no...

Register online for BFM London show.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... Retailers can pre-register online for free entry to The BFM London Furniture Show by visiting the exhibition's website: www.bfmshow.co.uk. Buyers can also pre-register by telephoning 0870 429 4468. A personalised badge granting fast...

Airsprung is looking up.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 7, 2002... Airsprung is to reposition some of its upholstery and bed companies at the higher end of the market in a bid to improve sales. Pre-tax profit for the group increased to #505,000 for the year to 31 March compared to a #207,000 loss last...

Q+A: Your questions answered.
June 7, 2002... Q: We have a complaint that bobbles are appearing on the fabric of a recently purchased suite. Following inspection, we consider that the complaint relates to pilling which we have explained is a natural characteristic and does not affect the...

Sedus new range.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
June 7, 2002... German office furniture manufacturer Sedus has released the Balance range. Designed by Peter Wilson, the Corner chairs in the collection feature a sleek design. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Letter: Make the most of home grown furniture.
June 7, 2002... While I sympathise with David Davies' comments (cm, 17 May, p4) in relation to delivery dates offered by untruthful and inefficient suppliers, I cannot help feeling it would have been so much better had the fine quality birch dining furniture...

Consistency in Copenhagen.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... Six years after his first visit, Andrew Kidd found little had changed when he returned to the Scandinavian Furniture Fair The Scandinavian Furniture Fair proved to be a bit of a disappointment. No products managed to create the `wow' effect...

Under starter's orders.(starting a new business)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... Plan carefully before starting a business when times are tough, says Andrea Kirkby Life is difficult for most businesses now, but it is twice as difficult for startups. Not only do they have the problem of getting customers to buy from a...

Impartial airing by BBC.
June 7, 2002... Traditional or contemporary, interior or exterior decor, the BBC Good Homes Show had a product to offer, reports Audrey Dixon Furniture exhibitors at the BBC Good Homes Show (3-6 May) reaped the rewards of an apparent surge in consumer...

Frame in mind.(bedsteads market)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... Bedsteads are so popular that some retailers are moving upmarket in an effort to maintain sales. Jane Oliphant reports Bedsteads have made quite an impact on homes and furniture retailers. Young consumers in particular love them for the...

Healthy returns for Multiyork.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 14, 2002... Multiyork achieved an operating margin of 10% in the year to 30 September 2001. Pre-tax profits increased by 9.2% to #4.9m while UK sales rose by 10% to #46.95m. Total sales climbed by 9.1% to #47.1m. Staff numbers swelled by 35 to...

EFRA supports safety of UK fire retardants.(European Flame Retardants Association)(Brief Article)
June 14, 2002... The European Flame Retardants Association (EFRA) has reiterated its support of the UK Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations and denied that products treated to comply with the regulations are less safe than untreated products....

Comment: Playing the beautiful game.(spending growth with World Cup)(Brief Article)(Column)
June 14, 2002... At the time of writing, the Republic of Ireland has booked its place in the second round of the World Cup and by the time you read this you should know if England has joined it. But what has this to do with retailing furniture? Simple, if...

Retailers hope to score from World Cup boost.(Brief Article)
June 14, 2002... Retailers in England and the Republic of Ireland are hoping for a World Cup feelgood factor to boost their sales. Speaking to retailers before both teams' final group matches which determined their progress in the tournament, several said...

Profits climb at Hammonds.(Brief Article)
June 14, 2002... Pre-tax profits rose by 16% to #1.74m for fitted bedroom furniture company Hammonds in the year to 30 June 2001. Turnover rose by 9.3% to #47.5m. The increased profits saw shareholders receive #639,000 in dividends, an increase of 25%....

ISE enters liquidation.(Brief Article)
June 14, 2002... Six months after its formation, cabinet firm ISE Furniture went into liquidation on 10 June. The company was formed from the business and assets of ISE International Furniture which had been put into receivership. The majority of the...

Rebranding of George Henry Lee store.(John Lewis creates marketing campaign)(Brief Article)
June 14, 2002... John Lewis has recreated the Liverpool skyline using 400 products, including furniture and carpets, as part of a month-long advertising campaign which started today (14 June) to promote the company's rebranding of the George Henry Lee store to...

Cavendish At Home.
June 14, 2002... Cavendish is to hold an At Home at its Chorley, Lancashire, showroom from 7-10 July. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Ultra shutdown.
June 14, 2002... Ultra Furniture's summer shutdown is from 22 July-2 August. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Contract MBO.(Brief Article)
June 14, 2002... Contract furniture firm Gordon Russell has been bought from Steelcase in a management buyout by Gordon Russell md Tim Summerley and Steelcase Creative Solutions director Barry Wilson. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Gift move.(Brief Article)
June 14, 2002... The organiser of the Autumn Fair has relocated the show to halls 1-5 of the NEC, Birmingham. Details, tel: 0208 277 5844. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Technology updates.
June 14, 2002... The DTI has launched a website to give businesses information on developments in technology. Details, visit: www.globalwatchonline.com. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Seating brochure.
June 14, 2002... Lou Reading has a new consumer brochure on its seating range. Details, tel: 01494 776684. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Fenwicks display.
June 14, 2002... Fenwicks of Leicester has installed a Greenapple display on its third floor, featuring occasional and home entertainment furniture and lighting. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Habitat logo.
June 14, 2002... Habitat has added a symbol to its logo to represent `the concept of love of your home' Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Silentnight again warns on sales.(Brief Article)
June 14, 2002... Silentnight Holdings has again warned of poor cabinet and upholstery sales. Chief executive Bill Simpson described trading in April as awful across the group. In April the group warned that orders had weakened since the beginning of...

George Scadgell.(Brief Article)
June 14, 2002... Former HG Scadgell chairman George Scadgell died on 2 June. He was 90. Scadgell worked at the family owned Worthing, West Sussex store from an early age. He is survived by his son John, who runs the store. Copyright: CMP...

Christy wraps up baby market.
June 14, 2002... Towel firm Christy has launched the Baby range. The range includes a snuggle robe to retail at #25, hand towel (#12.50), wash mitt (#5) and coordinating bag (#12.50). It is available as a set (#50). The Arcadian fibre mix and cotton...

Erskine adds to its repertoire.(Brief Article)
June 14, 2002... Erskine Pine has expanded into the living room, occasional and home office furniture market by adding 23 products to its Woodlands bedroom range. The additions include bookcases, sideboards, tables, mirrors and computer and home...

Bid rumours push Allders shares up.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 14, 2002... Allders gained 11p on strong rumours of a bid involving Terry Green, shortly to be ex-chief executive of BHS. Property company Minerva has a 21.4% stake in Allders, and analysts were visualising a deal where Minerva - which denied any deal...

SHARE UPDATE ON 10 JUNE.(stock table)(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
June 14, 2002... Share Update on 10 June Bold=new High/Low Now Change Change High Low over since 2 weeks 1 Jan Retailers Allders ...

Delights of Turkish design at BFM show.
June 14, 2002... The BFM London Furniture Show will host a new 500sqm Turkish Pavilion. Adas, Aegean Exporters Unions, Dizayn Mobilya, Dolmenler, Ercelik, Reemo Furniture, Ruyammo, Sonar Lamine and Yenkur Moble will bring the best of Turkish design to the...

Kingstown Furniture - Appointment.(Paul Stott hired)(Brief Article)
June 14, 2002... Designer Paul Stott has joined Kingstown Furniture as a consultant for 12 months. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Enkev - Appointment.(Philip Allison hired)(Brief Article)
June 14, 2002... Filling firm Enkev has recruited Philip Allison as plant manager. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

National Bed Federation - Appointment.(Trevor Lane selected)(Brief Article)
June 14, 2002... Vi-Spring Beds md Trevor Lane is the new National Bed Federation president. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

FTBA - Appointments. (Furniture Trades' Benevolent Association).(Brief Article)
June 14, 2002... Peter Oldfield Murray has been re-elected as national president of the Furniture Trades' Benevolent Association. John Hancock was elected national vice president. David Imrie has become a director and Hayden Davies a member of the company....

Silentnight Beds - Appointment.(Kelly Foote hired)(Brief Article)
June 14, 2002... Silentnight Beds has appointed Kelly Foote as marketing assistant. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Greenapple Systems - Appointment.(Samra Hadziomerovic hired)(Brief Article)
June 14, 2002... Greenapple Systems has named Samra Hadziomerovic as operations coordinator. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Ultra Furniture - Appointment.(Ian Oscroft hired)(Brief Article)
June 14, 2002... Contour Upholstery sales director Ian Oscroft has become Ultra Furniture md. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Shopfloor: Counting on the numbers game for real sales.(conversion rates determine successful furniture store salespeople)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 14, 2002... Most companies judge their salespeople purely on volume - the best salesman is the one who writes the most orders. Very often these `top' salespeople are actually not very good. If their sales are examined they often have more...

Realities of Internet revealed. (UK furniture manufacturers).(Brief Article)
June 14, 2002... Furniture manufacturers in the UK are more likely to have websites than other UK business sectors and EU countries, claims a DTI report. The report examines how companies have approached ecommerce and how expectations compare with reality....

Stanley consumer brochure. (Stanley Furniture's range of sliding bedroom doors).(Brief Article)
June 14, 2002... Stanley has published a consumer brochure for its range of sliding bedroom doors. The eight page, colour brochure features the Contemporary, Traditional, Classic and Home Office ranges. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Dealing with absenteeism. (employers, UK).(Brief Article)
June 14, 2002... Employers can cope with sickness levels in different ways, says Kate Hodgkiss One of the biggest challenges facing employers is managing levels of absence. The ultimate sanction is dismissal. But, while this may be appropriate in some...

USA: In focus. (furniture manufacturers).(Brief Article)
June 14, 2002... The USA's furniture and home furnishings consumers have proven to be surprisingly resilient in the past year. Although the furniture industry's retail base fell almost 6% between 1999 and 2001, according to industry analyst Mann, Armistead...

Optimism in the air. (International Home Furnishings Market, High Point, NC).
June 14, 2002... After the disasters in the USA last year, Deena Bouknight reports on an upbeat upholstery showing at the recent High Point show Despite a slowdown in retail sales in March, and president George Bush's dire recent prediction about the...

High Point places accent on diversity. (International Home Furnishings Market, North Carolina).
June 14, 2002... In contrast with most of the USA's traditional furniture styling, occasional pieces appear in various looks and materials, says Audrey Dixon While much USA upholstery and cabinet furniture, both home made and imported, is classical and...

All kinds of everything. (International Home Furnishings Market, High Point, NC).
June 14, 2002... Somewhere among the spring High Point's 8million sqft of exhibition space there was something for everyone - if only they could find it - reports Larry Stein If variety is the spice of life, the spring High Point Market presented a highly...

Young Americans. (children's furniture manufacturers exhibiting at International Home Furnishings Market, High Point, NC).
June 14, 2002... Whether they are dubbed designer or home environments, childrens' bedrooms are becoming big business in the USA, as Audrey Dixon discovered Ssshhhh. Don't tell the kids, but over the Atlantic there's a bit of a knee-high revolution going...

That's entertainment. (home entertainment furniture manufacturers exhibiting at International Home Furnishings Market, High Point, NC).(Brief Article)
June 14, 2002... For home entertainment in the USA, think big, and you're on the right track as Audrey Dixon discovered Developments in home entertainment furniture, like home office, reflected in their variety and abundance how focused the American...

Home comforts. (home office furniture manufacturers exhibiting at International Home Furnishings Market, High Point, NC).(Brief Article)
June 14, 2002... Working from home in a stylish but efficient environment has become more important to Americans onsumer spending in the American furniture and home furnishings industry has shown remarkable resilience in the past six months. La-Z-Boy's...

Sincerity with a smile.(Brief Article)
June 14, 2002... Sound advice from Stuart Hopwood is to offer consumers some humour If retailers promised to tickle consumers' imaginations and give them a giggle instead of big big savings, the trade might be better off, says Alphason Design marketing...

Conroys pulls plug on store expansion plans.(Brief Article)
June 21, 2002... Conroys has halted its plans to expand out of its North East heartland into Yorkshire. The chain is to close its Doncaster and Wakefield SofaZone stores at the end of the month. Yorkshire chain John Peters is in talks to acquire the...

New head for Ducal.(Silentnight Holdings)(Brief Article)
June 21, 2002... Silentnight Holdings has recruited an md for cabinet firm Ducal, four months after former md Philip Price left. Yvonne Mavin will take up her role next month and will report to branded furniture division chief executive Andrew Clark. ...

Comment: Charity does begin at home.
June 21, 2002... The annual Big Shots clay pigeon shooting event, in aid of the Furnishing Trades Benevolent Association, proved to be a great success (see p5). It was again brilliantly organised by David Langford and Nigel Blake, assisted by several...

Firms capitalise on World Cup marketing.(Brief Article)
June 21, 2002... Sealy and La-Z-Boy have sought to boost the profile of their brands with World Cup marketing. Following England's defeat of Denmark, Sealy ran an advertisement in The Sunday Telegraph's sports section picturing two sleeping Danes alongside...

Craftsman moves into teak.(Brief Article)
June 21, 2002... Craftsman Furniture is to launch a non-pine range. It joins the growing trend of pine firms making use of alternative woods with a range of teak living room and dining room furniture next month. The contemporary collection it will launch...

Online update.(Skopos relaunches website)(Brief Article)
June 21, 2002... Skopos has relaunched its three year old trade website (www.skopos,co.uk). Marketing manager Claire Phillips said the website featured design and product information, news and links to contract brands Jamasque and Mosaic. It is split by...

Tetrad marketing.(Brief Article)
June 21, 2002... Tetrad's new fleet of liveried vehicles marks the start of a marketing campaign.The fleet's paintwork will feature Tetrad's upholstery ranges. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Laura Ashley trading.(sales expectations)(Brief Article)
June 21, 2002... Furnishing and fashion retailer Laura Ashley said at its AGM this week that sales since 27 January were `in line with expectations'. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

NBF president.
June 21, 2002... Vi Spring Beds md Trevor Lay is the new National Bed Federation president, not as previously reported (cm, 14 June, p5). Apologies for any confusion. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

MFI refit.(Brief Article)
June 21, 2002... MFI's Portfield Industrial Estate, Hilsea, Portsmouth store is undergoing a refit. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Children's catalogue.(Lion Witch Wardrobe)(Brief Article)
June 21, 2002... Children's furnishing manufacturer Lion Witch Wardrobe has launched its first catalogue. Details, tel: 0208 265 8449. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Training booklet.(retail credit)(Brief Article)
June 21, 2002... Black Horse Retail Finance has released a training booklet on the subject of retail credit which includes an overview of payment options. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Quiet on Preston.(Habitat not to open new store)(Brief Article)
June 21, 2002... Habitat has denied press reports that it plans to open a store in Preston, Lancashire, as part of a town centre revamp. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Elegance expansion to boost online efforts.(Brief Article)
June 21, 2002... Elegance Furnishings proprietor Peter Peel aims to open seven to nine superstores of 20,000sqft-30,000sqft within the next three to four years. Established eight years ago, the Thrapstone, Northamptonshire based furniture and...

NMB-Heller backs cabinet firm MBO to tune of #1m.(Satdium Group management buyout)(Brief Article)
June 21, 2002... Stadium Group divisional director Julie Morrisey and her brother Stephen have completed a management buyout of the company's furniture and consumer products division. The new Hartlepool company is called Stadium Consumer Products. The...

X rated by Mode-Al.(dining tables)(Brief Article)
June 21, 2002... Mode-Al has added two X-framed dining tables to its contemporary glass and metal furniture. `I wanted to get away from the box-like structure of furniture and introduce curves and angles, while still giving it a form of elegance,' said...

UK firms are too difficult.(furniture stores buy abroad)(Brief Article)(Polling Data)(Statistical Data Included)
June 21, 2002... Buying from firms in Europe and the USA is the easiest way to source furniture for UK retailers. Dealing with UK manufacturers is more difficult and is ranked alongside firms in China. This is followed by the rest of the Far East and other...

Q+A: Your questions answered.
June 21, 2002... Q: We stock a variety of suites with loose covers which are removable and washable, often with the manufacturer's care instructions attached. On our sales invoice, however, we suggest `professional dry clean only' to prevent possible problems...

Guru range of furniture.(Brief Article)
June 21, 2002... The first product in Guru Haus's Guru range of contemporary furniture is the Cube, which can be used as a side table, stool, bookcase, room divider or sculptural piece. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.