Cabinet Maker articles from June 2003

Cabinet Maker archives from June 2003

Housing Units' fine forecast.((Housing Units))(Housing Units start construction on its warehouse and office unit)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... The recent fine weather has allowed Manchester retailer Housing Units to start construction on its #4m distribution and office unit. Last week the frame of the 52,000sqft warehouse was erected. Work on the warehouse and a 15,000sqft office...

Mezzanines to boost Homebase furniture.(homewares sales growth )(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... A leap in homewares sales has prompted Homebase to refine its furniture offering. The 273 store chain will experiment with several product mixes among furniture, kitchens, bathrooms and home furnishings in an effort to increase mezzanine...

Comment: Making space for the masses.(sales growth)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... Move aside wallpapers, paints and electric drills, Homebase's furniture and homewares sales have increased by 20% in the last year. No wonder the DIY chain is considering pouring extra efforts into the continuing profits of this division...

Virage lounger.(Barlow Tyrie won International Interior Design Association and Hospitality design awards )(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... Barlow Tyrie's Virage lounger won the seating category of the International Interior Design Association and Hospitality design awards at the Hospitality Design Expo & Conference in Las Vegas last month Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Creditors meeting.(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... A creditors meeting of recliner firm Chairworks UK was due to take place as Cabinet Maker went to press on Tuesday (3 June). The South Wales firm was placed in liquidation by parent Chairworks America. The liquidation is being handled...

Select Content for HoF.(House of Fraser to stock Conran furniture)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... House of Fraser and 20 top independents will stock Content by Conran this autumn. The independents include Maskreys (Bristol), Stocktons (Manchester), Fultons (Belfast) and Nash Interiors (Nottingham). HoF will have the Conran &...

Management visits.
June 6, 2003... The BFM Young Manager's Group is to visit Wade Furniture, Sutcliffe Furniture, Senator International, HJ Berry and Tetrad from 9-11 June. Managers must be aged from 25-40. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Unifying procedures.(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... AIM has launched the Retail Accounting Suite computer software, enabling retailers to unify internal accounting procedures. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Warranty extension.(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... Pinnacle Warranty Services has won a two-year extension to its furniture warranty scheme with Valspar (UK). Valspar markets the Guardsman upholstery protection product. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Distributing advice.(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... Solicitor Fox Williams is to hold a presentation on the legal issues of distributorship agreements on 25 June in London. Tel: 020 7628 2000. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Dickson's views.(Peter Dickson)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... Former Kingdom of Leather executive chairman Peter Dickson left KoL before its sale to Natuzzi and was not involved in the negotiations. His comments (cm, 12 Mar, p7) on the future of the chain were personal opinion. Copyright: CMP...

Airsprung sees signs of market picking up.(Tony Lisanti of Airsprung Furniture Group PLC)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... The downturn in the bed market may be on the point of improving. Tony Lisanti, Airsprung Furniture chief executive said the group had seen a 'bottoming out of the downturn - it's not getting any worse. It does seem retailers are picking up...

MFI bosses share bonus.(MFI Furniture Group PLC)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... MFI's five directors last week shared a #528,000 bonus. The proceeds of some 368,718 shares were divided between John Hancock, chief executive; Mark Horgan, customer and strategy director; Matthew Ingle, Howden Joinery md; Gordon MacDonald,...

New owners for Simpson's of Norfolk.(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... Traditional cabinet firm Simpson's of Norfolk has been sold by founder Simon Simpson. The company has been bought by Bryce and Angela Barrett. Bryce said they wanted to expand the existing range and introduce `something different' at...

Stephen Tague.(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... Former Allders md Stephen Tague has become chief executive of 36-store furniture and homewares chain Cargo. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Stephen Cawley.
June 6, 2003... John Lewis has appointed Stephen Cawley as central buyer for beds, divans and bedroom furniture. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Halifax Cetelem.(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... Credit firm Halifax Cetelem has appointed Paul Mackin as md and John Morris as head of IT. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Trevor Yeoman.(Cranleigh Freight Services)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... Cranleigh Freight Services has recruited Trevor Yeoman as director. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Melvyn Dunn.(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... Daniel Lynch Sales Company has named Melvyn Dunn as UK sales coordinator. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Nenplas.(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... Sarah Whitehead and Gary Edgington have joined Nenplas as stock sales representatives for the South East and South West respectively. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Joe Flynn.(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... Fauld Town & Country Furniture has named Joe Flynn as director of marketing - North America. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

High hopes for Ikea in Stockport.(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... Ikea's ability to create hundreds of local jobs could swing the decision to let it build its first Greater Manchester branch. The chain's planning application for a store at Stockport was rejected by John Prescott, deputy prime minister,...

`China effect' hits FTBA donations.( Furnishing Trades' Benevolent Association's )(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... The demise of so many UK manufacturers is hitting the expansion of the Furnishing Trades' Benevolent Association's The Cushion Club. This was the warning from Peter Spinks, chairman, at the charity's AGM last month. Just a handful of...

Tuning in to bedrooms.(furniture fittings)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... Bathroom and kitchen component company Weatherald Wood has expanded into producing fitted bedrooms, making elements of Symphony's new Embrace range. The move is part of the Askrigg, North Yorkshire firm's attempts to diversify to combat...

Barry Partington.(in memoriam)(Obituary)
June 6, 2003... Barry Partington, former Medallion Upholstery md died on 26 May, aged 60. He joined the furniture industry more than 40 years ago at Vitafoam. After leaving Medallion in the 1990s, he became sales director at Millbrook Upholstery and...

Letter: Good French methods.(Letter to the Editor)
June 6, 2003... As an agent who has been a manufacturer, importer and worked in most areas of sales within the supply chain to retailers for the past 32 years, I cannot believe the response to the article on French manufacturers unable to find agents (cm, 30...

Letter: Blame goes upwards.(Letter to the Editor)
June 6, 2003... I completely agree with your comment on the skills of retail sales staff (cm, 30 May, p3). A common thread running through the slatted bed market sector is technical ineptitude on the sales floor. It has everything to do with why this...

Shop window: TEMA.(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... The Panic line of bedroom furniture is a simple, modern cherry range. It is versatile enough to incorporate glass and aluminium or wooden fronts to the cabinet pieces. Contact Tema on 00 35 121 827861 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Shop window: SEGIS.
June 6, 2003... This large Alphabet sofa from Segis was designed by Roberto Romanello. The sofa's modern lines are complemented by sleek aluminium legs. Contact Segis on 00 39 0577980333 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Shop window: PARKER KNOLL.(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... Inspired by timeless Italian style, The Milan has a high seat and deep upholstery for the more mature customer. The range consists of an armchair, two and three-seater sofa and footstool and recliners. Contact Parker Knoll on 0870 7429902...

Shop window: RENAISSANCE.(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... The Renaissance collection consists of 14 models in distinctive light oak. The range boasts a number of storage solutions with adjustable levellers on drawers fitted for DVDs, videos and CDs. Contact Renaissance on 0870 7429902 ...

Shop window: CREST.(Crest Leather)
June 6, 2003... Crest Leather has developed a bespoke colour service with a minimum order of only one hide. Any colour can be requested by quoting a pantone reference. Contact Crest Leather on 01279 444040 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Fabric upholstery: Prints charming.
June 6, 2003... Whether prints or florals, patterns are set to reign again The long rule of the plain fabric seems, at last, to be drawing to a close. Ikea's exhortation to `throw out your chintz' a few years back is beginning to look like very poor...

High Point: upholstery - Home comforts.
June 6, 2003... All things nostalgic were the stars of the Spring High Point, but updated for today's homes, reports Larry Stein The home furnishings industry has turned to past eras to source inspiration for looks that were in style when villains were...

High Point: cabinet - Regeneration game.(furniture marketing)
June 6, 2003... Dropping the celebrity endorsements for designs from the past epitomised the shift in new ranges at this year's Spring High Point, reports Larry Stein Unlike the last show where celebrities and designers made headlines with their designs...

Webwatch: Easy steps to buying.(furniture retail)
June 6, 2003... Crate & Barrel takes a simple approach to selling online, says Stephanie Baum American retailer Crate & Barrel has a consistent message throughout its transactional website, www.crateandbarrel.com. It sells room concepts and can help users...

International operator: Barry Wood.(leather furniture)
June 6, 2003... Barry Wood, BLC Leather Technology Centre commercial director, has worked in the leather industry for 27 years. Graduating from Birmingham University in 1973 with a BSC in chemistry, he also holds a diploma in leather technology and business...

Courts to concentrate on boosting customers.(home furniture chain Courts PLC)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2003... Courts is to concentrate on marketing and generating footfall in the coming year and slowing the rollout of its latest store format in an effort to restore the 103-store chain to the black. The move comes after a year when the disruption of...

New reporter on Cabinet Maker team.(Mark Lewis)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2003... Cabinet Maker has added to its editorial team with the appointment of Mark Lewis as senior reporter. Lewis was previously editor of oil industry magazine Pipeline and deputy editor of Computer News Middle East in Dubai. He will be...

COMMENT: Let's talk about money.(furniture retailers)(change to the euro)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2003... As you might expect, furniture retailers seem as divided by the issue of the euro as the general public (see p4). The decision to join is not something that will have an impact on most businesses tomorrow. But in the long run it will,...

BoConcept showroom.(furniture store)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2003... BoConcept will open a showroom tomorrow (14 June) on High Street, Kensington, London. The store - its second in the capital - will cover 7,000sqft and feature mainly modular furniture, with a smattering of accessories. Studio sets will be...

Brown should show us the way on euro.(chancellor Gordon Brown)(furniture retailers)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2003... Furniture retailers have called for more leadership from the Government on the euro. The call came after chancellor Gordon Brown's long awaited announcement postponing a possible entry. `What I am concerned about is this dithering,'...

Upholstery relaunch.(Sinclair Melson)(name change to Sinclair Matthews)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2003... Upholstery manufacturer Sinclair Melson has been relaunched as Sinclair Matthews. Sinclair Melson went into receivership in March and shed its 20 staff. Ray Matthews, former partner, and two creditors bought the assets for more than...

Integrated move.(First National relocates to GE Consumer Financial offices)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2003... First National is to relocate its retail credit support operation in Enfield to the Leeds and Harrow offices of parent GE Consumer Finance. The move is the first stage of the integration of First National, two months after it was bought by...

High profits.(Systems Furniture)(office furniture market)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2003... Systems Furniture has the highest pre-tax profit margin in the office furniture market at 25.5%, according to a report by The Prospect Shop. The sector average is 3.6%. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

JLP ahead.(John Lewis PLC)(sales up)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2003... Department store chain John Lewis saw a rise of 1.6% in the sales of furniture and textiles in the 18 weeks to 31 May. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

On the move.(Besmo Products)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2003... Giftware and accessory wholesaler Besmo Products has moved to 183 Park Avenue, Park Royal, London NW10 7XH. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Office deal.(Ofquest acquires stake in Martela)(office furniture)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2003... Office furniture company Ofquest has acquired a majority stake in rival Martela which will now offer Ofquest's ranges. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Joplings.(department store group's profits down)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2003... Five store department store group Joplings suffered from shoppers deferring furniture and large homewares purchases in the past year. Profits fell by a quarter to #3.3m as sales rose by 2% to #56.7m in the year to 29 March, due to the...

John Yates.(Airsprung Furniture Group president dies)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2003... The funeral of John Yates, Airsprung Furniture Group life president will take place at St Laurence Church, Rode, Somerset on 17 June at 2.15pm. Yates died peacefully at home on 8 June, aged 87. He joined the company, founded by his...

Exclusivity brings happiness.(Happy Home Furnishers)(sales up)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2003... Happy Home Furnishers has enjoyed a fillip in sales after concentrating on UK and European products. Sales rose by 7% to #5.2m in the year to 31 March which David Semmens, md credits to scouring home markets for more obscure brands. A...

Old Charm showvan.(dining set displayed)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2003... Old Charm has invested in a showvan with a 20ft by 8ft display area. It features its Lincoln dining set and Kensington collection on the sides. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Clear vision.(Home+Gift summer show)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2003... Summer giftware show Home+Gift is set to see a major increase in glass, crystalware and china exhibitors. New exhibitors include Lladro, Royal Crown Derby, Royal Worcester, Reidel Crystal and Darlington Pottery. Gleneagles of...

Finnish show expands.(furniture industry)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2003... Habitare, Finland's major furniture show, is to get a new look in September. The enlarged show will fill the expanded Helsinki Fair Centre, allowing organisers to divide the show by product type. Furniture will occupy the main hall,...

Square deal for young designers.(furniture industry)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2003... The cream of this year's furniture design graduates will show their creations at The BFM Summer Furniture Show in August. A young designers area has been created within the Square design section of the event. `This will offer the ideal...

City: Argos' sales boost is good news for GUS.(Great Universal Stores PLC)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2003... GUS leaped 57p on very good figures for the year to 31 March. Argos increased sales by 12% and operating profits by 17% as customers flocked to new and refurbished stores. The declining GUS home shopping business is to be sold for #590m to...

Share Update on 9 June 2003.(Brief Article)
June 13, 2003... Share Update on 9 June 2003 Bold=new High/Low Now Change Change 2003 2003 over since High Low 2 weeks 1 Jan Retailers Beale ...

May sales slide below 2002's figures.(Brief Article)
June 13, 2003... Annual sales fell in May for furniture and flooring retailers. A balance of 48% of retailers said sales were lower than in 2002 - the worst performance for at least a year. Furniture and chemists were the only retail sectors to suffer a...

Indus Valley - Appointment.(Maurice Jones)
June 13, 2003... Indus Valley has named Maurice Jones as national sales manager. He was previously Mark Webster sales director. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

John Gordon Textiles - Appointment.(Brief Article)
June 13, 2003... John Gordon Textiles has appointed Chris Healy as national accounts manager. He was previously account manager at linen importer Turner Bianca. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Billib Clocks - Appointment.(Richard Kendrick)
June 13, 2003... Billib Clocks has appointed Richard Kendrick as marketing director. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Homewares sales swing back and forth.(Brief Article)
June 13, 2003... The furniture market had a difficult start to the year, while the wider homewares sector has also seen mixed fortunes. There was a strong start to 2002, but demand waxed and waned, ending up fractionally lower than where it started. ...

Cheap kid on the block or a survivor?(Polish furniture)
June 13, 2003... Poland's export success is helped by low prices, but will it last? asks Andrew Kidd If you had asked someone a few years ago of their first impressions of Poland, they would probably have said Solidarity or vodka. Now you are just as...

SHOP WINDOW: DORLUX.(Advertisement)
June 13, 2003... The Palermo from Dorlux Beds combines a sophisticated, clean design with a luxurious feeling created by its use of upholstery. Contact Dorlux Beds on 01422 254555 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW: NONO.(advertising)
June 13, 2003... The Breezy collection from Nono is a range of prints and wallpapers in colourways created for maximum visual impact. Contact Nono on 0161 9299930 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW: SHEPPARD.(advertising)
June 13, 2003... Vincent Sheppard's Love seat is a two-seater with an artistic design which appeals to more socialising in the home. It was designed for open spaces for open conversation. Contact Vincent Sheppard on 020 7352 2312 Copyright: CMP...

SHOP WINDOW: PACO CAPDELL.(advertising)
June 13, 2003... Designed by Vicente Soto for Paco Capdell, the Bravo stool stands out for its design and lightness. The polypropylene stool is available in 12 mix and match colours. Contact Paco Capdell on 00 34 961502950 Copyright: CMP Information...

SHOP WINDOW: KAUFMANN.
June 13, 2003... The latest design from P/Kaufmann called Avignon Union is a subtle floral printed on a linen union. Contact P/Kaufmann on 00 212 292 2319 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Store manager - in-store techniques: Entertaining sales.
June 13, 2003... Richard de Melim offers some tips to convince customers to stay longer - and buy more - in your store The problem Customers come into my store when they need to buy furniture but they tend not to stay very long. I think I will increase...

Retail Intelligence: April.
June 13, 2003... April proved to be the best month of the spring, with a majority of retailers seeing increases in the value of sales during the month. Some 57% saw an increase, 10% maintained sales at March's level and a third experienced a decline. This...

HOME ENTERTAINMENT: Showing vision.(home entertainment furniture design trends)
June 13, 2003... The advent of widescreen and plasma TVs meant manufacturers had to rethink their home entertainment furniture designs, reports Liam O'Brien The market for home entertainment furniture has not been the most spectacular over the past five...

SCOPERTA: Feeling innovation.(fabric design show)
June 13, 2003... Texture was created with new combinations of materials from microfibre to cellulose at Scoperta, reports Stephanie Baum No one would deny that the furnishing fabric producers at European shows have become more diverse, and Scoperta this...

SCOPERTA: Football match.
June 13, 2003... Having vied for orders in the exhibition arena, exhibitors at Scoperta took the competition to the field in a football match in a good natured jolly after the first day of the show. Visitors were invited to munch hotdogs and drink beer as they...

Proposte.(furnishing fabric show, Cernobbio (Como), Italy)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2003... The dominant theme at Proposte, like Scoperta, was textured plains, but here the connection with fashion was even greater. There was perhaps a greater emphasis on autumnal colours, with orange evident on many of the stands. Pozzi Spa...

FIRST PERSON TIM OULTON: Ambitious and happy.((Halo Antiques))(Interview)
June 13, 2003... How did you get started in business? I forgot to fill out my university forms so I joined my father's business. Who do you most admire in the industry and why? Ingvar Kamprad, Ikea founder, and Ralph Lauren as both are category...

Frayling sheds more staff.(Brief Article)
June 20, 2003... Leather upholstery firm Frayling Furniture is expected to make almost half its workforce redundant in the next week. About 90 of its 197 staff are expected to leave on 26 June in the latest round of job losses at the Staffordshire firm. ...

Industry mourns George Knowles Jnr.(Obituary)
June 20, 2003... The furniture industry reacted with shock this week to news of the death of Sterling Furniture md, George Knowles Jnr. He died of a suspected heart attack last Sunday (15 June) while on holiday in Majorca. He had just celebrated his 41st...

COMMENT: Service: Ball is in your court.(Brief Article)
June 20, 2003... Attending the launch of a new upholstery company in this country is not an everyday occurrence. So, viewing the Noble House Collections' new range was food for thought. I asked the owner of Scan-Thor, Martin Kay what is the secret of...

MFI chases 13% growth target.(MFI Furniture Group PLC)(Brief Article)
June 20, 2003... MFI has set an ambitious target of growing UK retail sales by 13% each year for the next four years. If the 191 store chain achieves this, sales will reach #1.4bn by 2005/06. Since 1999, the 13% figure has been achieved every year,...

Prices pushed up by 2%.(Brief Article)
June 20, 2003... Annual furniture retail price inflation returned to 2% in May, up from 1% in April. Prices were 1.6% higher in May than in April. National Statistics reported increases across all product categories higher than in 2002, particularly for...

Nobel House ready to deliver.(Brief Article)
June 20, 2003... Noble House enjoyed a 100% take-up from retailers at its roadshow events to launch its range of upholstery, in Cheltenham and Marlow, Buckinghamshire. Some 11 sofa models in fabric and hide were debuted, including the Savoy and the Hyde...

Designs on Oxo prizes.(Oxo Peugeot Design Award finalists)(Brief Article)
June 20, 2003... Four designs have been singled out as finalists for the furniture section of Oxo Peugeot Design Awards. The lightweight Knot sofa by Ryan McElhinney has multiple seating positions, while Gerrit Rietveld's Sit Together chair is inspired by...

House of Fraser sets a brand new approach.(Brief Article)
June 20, 2003... Roberts, Willis Gambier, Vi-Spring, Tamerisk and Content by Conran will form the centrepieces of House of Fraser's autumn/winter furniture range. The chain will focus on the contemporary in its drive to `be the best at brands'. ...

WJ Aldiss backs growth with Norwich opening.((WJ Aldiss))(Brief Article)
June 20, 2003... East Anglian chain WJ Aldiss is to open a #1.5m store in Norwich on Saturday (21 June). `We have bucked the trend of many retailers by continuing to grow in both performance and turnover, despite difficult trading conditions,' said Bob...