Cabinet Maker articles from March 2002

Cabinet Maker archives from March 2002

Imports make a killing with 28% of the market.
March 1, 2002... Imports of upholstery have more than doubled in the past few years, accounting for almost a fifth of the UK domestic market. The value of upholstery imports jumped by 100.5% to #262m (at MSP) between 1996 and 2000, occupying 18% of the...

MFI profits jump likely.
March 1, 2002... MFI was expected to unveil a 39% increase in pre-tax profits yesterday (28 February). Brokers forecasts for the year to 29 December 2001 expected pre-tax profits of #63.4m, from #45.5m. In November, it revealed a 7.1% increase in UK...

The real price of foreign goods.
March 1, 2002... We all had an idea, but no-one knew the full extent of furniture imports. FIRA's figures reveal the true picture and the market's dependence on imports. Let us assume that the growth in imports has not slowed since 2000 (again something we...

Rodgers plans more sales space by 2003.
March 1, 2002... Rodgers of York is to expand its Monks Cross store by adding 10,000sqft of retail space. The expansion will allow a more varied selection of contemporary furniture and reflect a more modern store design. A cafe will also be added to create...

Further expansion for Vogue Beds.
March 1, 2002... Vogue Beds is adding a 15,000sqft unit to its Barwell, Leicestershire factory. Work on the site has begun with an eye to moving in by this Easter. The move comes on the heels of its expansion into a 50,000sqft space last year. This...

Department store drop.
March 1, 2002... Department stores have seen a fall in profitability over the past three years. Average pre-tax profit margins fell from 5.7% in 1998/99 to 3.9% in 2000/01, according to a report from The Prospect Shop. Business Ratio - Department & Variety...

Spring 2002 collection.
March 1, 2002... Rosebud is part of Curtina's Spring 2002 collection. The 100% cotton tab-top range features a rose motif and is available in peach, lilac and magenta. Accessories include cushions. It will be available in- store from next month. Copyright:...

Ikea considers Russia.
March 1, 2002... Russia may become a production base and supplier of raw materials for Ikea because it has a quarter of the world's hardwood reserves and mothballed USSR era factories. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Debut success.
March 1, 2002... The International Interiors and Furniture Exhibition in Abu Dhabi, UAE, will become an annual event following a good turnout to the inaugural show. Next year's event is on 23-27 February. Details, tel: 00 971 2 444 6900. Copyright: CMP...

Belgians at NEC.
March 1, 2002... The Belgian Upholstery Fabrics and Trimmings Show will be held at the Metropole Hotel, NEC, Birmingham on 14 March. Details, tel: 0207 823 1607. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Courts ownership.
March 1, 2002... Schroder Investment Management has increased its ownership of Courts to 12.2% of the group's shares. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

New player.
March 1, 2002... Altringham, Cheshire retailer Nuovofiore is the first store to join Qualitas through its small business scheme. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Silentnight dates.
March 1, 2002... Silentnight Holdings' Salterforth At Home shows will take place on 21- 24 April, 8-11 September and from 24-27 November. Details, tel: 0870 7429910. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Contract market set to be worth #765m in three years.
March 1, 2002... The contract furniture market is set to see annual growth of 3-4% over the next four years. The market was worth #659m (at MSP) in 2001 and is expected to reach #765m in 2005, according to market research firm AMA Research. Its UK...

Quiltex to build up Early's brand.
March 1, 2002... Soft furnishing producer Quiltex has bought Early's for an undisclosed sum. Quiltex, which has sales of #6m, plans to redevelop the Witney blanket firm's Oxfordshire site and neighbouring land, owned by All Souls College, into a...

Spring Long Point cancelled.
March 1, 2002... May's Long Point exhibition has been cancelled and replaced with a golf day. A spokesman for the Long Eaton Guild of Furniture Manufacturers said members had seen a strong order intake at The Furniture Show and many were on 16-20 week lead...

Eighth outlet in the Irish Republic.
March 1, 2002... Fitted bedroom furniture retailer Sliderobes has opened its eighth outlet in the Irish Republic- in Portaoise, County Laois. Franchisees Margaret and Denis Bowe have owned a franchise in Limerick, County Limerick since March. Copyright:...

Buttigieg wins WCFM first.
March 1, 2002... The inaugural Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers Innovation in Traditional British Furniture Award was won by Rosjohn Reproductions md Chris Buttigieg for his modular freestanding Dovetails range of units. Former master Simon Brown said...

Courts' upward run proves analysts wrong.
March 1, 2002... Courts' good run continued, and a gain of 11p moved the shares towards the 250p mark last achieved in October 2001. Analysts at Numist have had a frustrating month since recommending investors sell at below 200p. Laura Ashley lost another...

Somnus seeks centre ground.
March 1, 2002... Harrison Beds intends to position its new Somnus Beds range between the Harrison brand and its top end Spink & Edgar collection. The group is to relaunch the Somnus brand at its At Home from 21-25 April. From 1920-1950 the company was...

Share Update on 25 February.
March 1, 2002... Share Update on 25 February Now Change Change High Low over since 2 weeks 1 Jan Retailers Allders ...

Ercol adds to Begere range.
March 1, 2002... Ercol has added the Campagne upholstery range to its Bergere collection. With reversible cushions and a choice of cane sides or upholstered panelling, Campagne is available as a three and two seat sofa and easy chair. Copyright: CMP...

Don't be a bystander in a fast moving world.
March 1, 2002... The world's moving so fast that a man who says `it can't be done' is generally interrupted by someone doing it. So, I'll run through our programme for the year so the trade can see what the Livery is doing. March takes a military...

Rewards for DuPont winners.
March 1, 2002... The winners of the five categories of the 2002 DuPont Furniture Awards are likely to see an upsurge in consumer interest in their designs. The winners receive a half page colour advertisement in either BBC Good Homes Magazine or BBC Homes...

Store manager: incentives: Butter your parsnips.
March 1, 2002... It takes more than kind words to keep staff motivated, says Andrea Kirkby Some big firms offer their top salespeople incentives such as round the world cruises, Concorde trips to New York, or new cars. But for most retailers, that sort of...

Retail Intelligence.
March 1, 2002... As the winter sales moved into full swing, retailers saw the expected increase in sales materialise. Some 76% of stores saw higher sales by value compared with 2001. The remainder was equally split between those seeing lower sales and...

Market Focus: Germany: Eau de Cologne: ascent into modernism.
March 1, 2002... The smell of contemporary success was in the air at the International Furniture Fair, reports Richard de Melim National stereotypes can be painfully cruel. But being perceived as efficient stands the Germans in good stead when it comes to...

Market Focus: Germany: The right numbers.
March 1, 2002... Rolf Benz is among the German front runners when it comes to innovation and its launches were extensive with a number of sofas, storage units, dining tables and chairs offered. The 2300 model designed by Christian Werner was among them....

Market Focus: Germany: Classic offering from Erpo.
March 1, 2002... Erpo International is among Germany's top exporters with successful market penetration in the Far East, as well as the USA and Europe. The upholstery firm's signature offering is instantly recognisable and many sofas feature raised seats with...

Market Focus: Germany: Ruf justice for beds.
March 1, 2002... Upholstered bedding has featured heavily on Ruf Betten product launches over the past year with the creation of its Ruf Edition collection. Two beds were added to the range - Arena and Esfera - launched with the help of French designer Isabel...

Market Focus: Germany: Easy does it.
March 1, 2002... Functionality features strongly on launches from Walter Knoll. Eight ranges were introduced, all reflecting the firm's image and reputation for pared down styling. Supernova was perhaps the most striking of the new models - an elegant...

Market Focus: Germany: Hot looks.
March 1, 2002... Cabinet Maker offers a pictorial guide to the products that had people talking at the trendsetting International Furniture Fair in Cologne Trends The eclectic nature of design trends and inspiring targeted lifestyle statements were...

Market Focus: Germany: Individuality is the way.
March 1, 2002... Anything goes at Frankfurt trade show Heimtextil, says Alison Gay January is a marathon month for home textiles and furniture trade shows in Germany. Always a good show at which to pick up on the latest trends, the international textiles...

Allders buyers face layoffs.
March 8, 2002... Allders is undertaking a major restructuring of its buying departments. Cabinet Maker understands that eight buyers are being made redundant, including bedroom cabinet, children's furniture, kitchen and casual dining buyer Chris Burchill....

Ikano has denied plas to sell Habitat.
March 8, 2002... Ikano, the family trust owned by Ikea founder Ingvar Kamprad, has denied it has plans to sell Habitat. While admitting it had received offers from a number of companies, Ikano spokesman Ingemar Gustafsson said it had no plans to sell the pan...

Fire regulation failures.
March 8, 2002... Nine upholstery firms could still face prosecution from Manchester City Council's Trading Standards department for their products failing flammability regulations. The department tested 11 sofas with removable covers in March 2001 and all...

The game hangs on quality.
March 8, 2002... If Classic Furniture md David Langan's prophecy was to come true (see p14), and furniture followed the lead of the electrical industry, complaints about faulty products would go straight to the manufacturer. Nice idea for retailers,...

Kirkby fabrics launched in January.
March 8, 2002... Kirkby has released a catalogue featuring its fabrics launched in January. The collection features a variety of ranges including Retro, Urban Chic, Classic, Pop Art and Cross Ply. In the Urban Chic range, the Living Linen lines (pictured)...

Imports prompt staff cuts at Ducal.
March 8, 2002... Pine manufacturer Ducal is to make 90 of its 300 administration and support staff redundant. Increased competition from imports have been blamed for the cuts, which will reduce employee numbers to about 650. Acting md Bob Jones said...

Blaney leaves Peter Guild.
March 8, 2002... Peter Guild md Roger Blaney has left the company after nine years. Parent Airsprung chairman Philip Bradshaw said `as part of the restructuring and integration into the group [of Peter Guild] it has been agreed by mutual consent that Roger...

Land of Leather denies sale rumours.
March 8, 2002... Land of Leather has quashed rumours that it has been put up for sale. Director Frank Fox said the 40 store chain had used corporate finance company Livingstone Guarantee to review its future plans but he denied weekend Press reports that a...

MFI reads the signs for continued growth.
March 8, 2002... MFI had a bumper winter sale and believes there will be no slowdown in consumer spending. Finance director Martin Clifford-King dismissed suggestions of a downturn in consumer spending. `Well, certainly, evidence we've had is of...

Margins doubled in three years.
March 8, 2002... Since John Hancock succeeded John Randall as chief executive in March 1999, MFI has seen an upturn in its fortunes. He set himself a three year target of turning around the company. This has been achieved by improving products, store...

Sofa Workshop trial could expand range.
March 8, 2002... The outcome of the three month trial of four Sofa Workshop concessions at MFI could lead to an expansion of the chain's product range. John Hancock said he was `very pleased' with trading at the concessions. `The MFI brand, which is...

Your questions answered.
March 8, 2002... Q: Our customer complains that the leather graining of her suite is not what she ordered and claims it was not made clear at the point of sale that the colour selected from a pattern swatch had heavier graining than the smooth grained leather...

Muted tones shout loud at London Fabric.
March 8, 2002... Muted tones, analine hides, chenilles and checks were abundant at the second London Fabric exhibition. Traditional florals were also present at the event, held from 26-28 February at The Commonwealth Institute, London. German mill...

Portuguese new wave targets export market.
March 8, 2002... Portuguese firms brought out more contemporary designs while stressing their talent for hand finished traditional models at Export Home. Held in Porto from 27 February to 3 March, 250 exhibitors were present for the 14th annual show. ...

Rattan and cane steals the show at Singapore.
March 8, 2002... Stands were awash with a comprehensive range of rattan and cane products in light, mid-tone and particularly dark finishes at the 19th International Furniture Fair in Singapore this week (1-5 March). During recent years, European...

A watching brief for sales.
March 8, 2002... CCTV cameras provide an insight into what your customers really want Big Brother fervour confirmed that many Britons are willing to go to any lengths to win their 15 minutes of fame in front of TV cameras. It is ironic then to note...

In bed with technology.
March 8, 2002... Developments in pocket spring and latex are giving rise to more upmarket bed sales and preventing unwanted roll together, reports Richard de Melim Years ago, couples were much closer in bed than they are today. That isn't to suggest bed...

Support for springs.
March 8, 2002... Rightly or wrongly, the British consumer traditionally sees pocket springs systems as superior to open coil alternatives because they provide independent and flexible support that is more responsive to body contours and movement, says Chris...

Class act.
March 8, 2002... Classic Furniture's md David Langan wants to be known for offering the best level of customer service in furniture retailing, reports Audrey Dixon Taking a cab to Blanchardstown on the outskirts of Dublin during the rush hour is not most...

Family circle.
March 8, 2002... Relatively speaking, the Spinks family has connections with the Somnus Beds brand it is relaunching next month. Andrew Kidd explains History is about to come full circle when Harrison Beds relaunches the Somnus Beds brand next month. ...

Style mission.
March 8, 2002... Scandinavian firm Bo Concept claims to be selling a lifestyle not a product. Sophie Baylis visited the Bournemouth store to find out if it's succeeding Style seekers are capricious creatures with the power to veto this season's A-list...

Pies, socks and sales.
March 8, 2002... John Davey wonders where all the socks and young field sales people have gone When he is not at Lebus, sales manager John Davey might easily be found blowing things up for the Territorial Army (although he's leaving it now as he's fed up...

Furniture Awards 2002: Sparkling sound effects.
March 8, 2002... After three days of The Furniture Show, be it finding new products or trying to sell them to retailers, what could be nicer than a glass of champagne? And where to find this? The Furniture Awards Gala Dinner Drinks Reception, sponsored by...

Furniture Awards 2002: Encouraging young talent.
March 8, 2002... The judges Chairman: Peter Plaskitt Business Excellence Mike Dudley-Jones Mike Dudley-Jones Training David Clark BSSA Neill Denny Retail Week Innovation Robert Maskrey Maskreys Mike Chapman Lenleys...

Furniture Awards 2002: Swedish flag flies highest.
March 8, 2002... `Innovative, stylish, design led and giving value for money, it does what it needs to do and is very efficient. It has the widest appeal.' That was the verdict of the panel of furniture industry experts who were unanimous in awarding the...

Furniture Awards 2002: Imagination reigns supreme.
March 8, 2002... The challenge of the Innovation Award is that, of all the product categories, this is the one in which the judges are almost certain to be comparing different types of furniture. And to make their work even harder this year, Innovation drew in...

Furniture Awards 2002: `Wow' factor in the bedroom.
March 8, 2002... It was the `wow factor', according to the judges, that gave Jay-Be's Infinity the edge over a large number of entries in the Beds Award. Infinity was described as: `Well designed, well thought out, well tailored and it offers good storage...

Furniture Awards 2002: A public display of affection.
March 8, 2002... Stourbridge based Ashley Manor Upholstery won the Consumers' Choice product award, for its Neptune sofa. Eleven readers of BBC Good Homes Magazine were asked to join the magazine's editorial team at The Furniture Show to choose their...

Furniture Awards 2002: Commercial and very clever.
March 8, 2002... Meubles Celio's compact corner wardrobe unit, with its `clever use of space' and for `addressing the need for compact storage' was deemed by judges of the Bedroom Furniture Award to be `a very commercial product. It has a capacity for a huge...

Furniture Awards 2002: Trojan approach full of ideas.
March 8, 2002... New Dimension joint md Paul Stott made his first trip onto the stage at The Furniture Awards dinner to collect the award for Dining Room Furniture, presented by sponsor Becker Acroma's md Nick Searle. The judges said New Dimension's Trojan...

Furniture Awards 2002: Byron's a smooth inspiration.
March 8, 2002... Charnwood md Philip Watkin made his second foray to the stage at the Awards dinner to collect the prize for Leather Upholstered Furniture. Charnwood's Byron was deemed by the judges to be `luxurious looking and superb quality'. The...

Furniture Awards 2002: A tower to meet tall orders.
March 8, 2002... New Dimension's Tierfull Tower, which won the Living Room Furniture Award, `offers solution based storage for today's living,' said the judges. `It is very well executed, practical, fashionably styled and great value for money.' Finalists...

Furniture Awards 2002: A flying start for Pegasus.
March 8, 2002... Ekornes won the Reclining Furniture Award with its Pegasus chair, amid a diverse field of entries. The judges found it had `great design, superb finish, a range of features and was very comfortable in every position'. Finalists were...

Furniture Awards 2002: A retro feel with flexibility.
March 8, 2002... Double award winner Charnwood picked up the first of its accolades at The Furniture Awards dinner for its Como sofa, which won the Upholstered Furniture Award. Judges said it had a retro feel, and gave it many extra points for its...

Furniture Awards 2002: Message focused on quality.
March 8, 2002... Most entries for the Marketing Award were perceived by the judges to be of a high standard, with the emphasis on `well planned and integrated campaigns and an ability to measure outcomes'. They also noted that the focus of the entries for...

Furniture Awards 2002: Putting new talent on stage.
March 8, 2002... First time sponsor of The Furniture Awards, Argos, brought with it the promise of a new and very well received introduction - the Young Designer Award. Entries were invited from all UK colleges offering furniture design courses; undergraduate...

Furniture Awards 2002: Waking up to the web.
March 8, 2002... The Sleep Council demonstrated how trade bodies really should lead from the front when it snatched the Internet Award from under the noses of the best marketing websites the furniture industry has to offer. Stealing a march on finalist...

Silentnight Furniture to close Keighley factory.
March 15, 2002... Silentnight Furniture is to close its Keighley, West Yorkshire factory and concentrate production at its Sunderland plant. No date has been set for the closure, as consultations with the 220 staff are ongoing. `During recent months we...

Retailers count cost of new consumer laws.
March 15, 2002... Implementing the Sale of Consumer Goods Directive, which increases consumers' rights, will cost the furniture and flooring industry at least #88m a year. Firms also face higher costs from the General Product Safety Directive (GPSD), as...

High price of keeping records.
March 15, 2002... As if retailers didn't have enough legislation and regulations to deal with, along come some more. The General Products Safety Directive will compel retailers to keep records of all their customers so they can recall a product if it is...

Jay-Be releases spring/summer edition of Jay-Be Book.
March 15, 2002... Jay-Be has released the spring/summer edition of the Jay-Be Book. Products launched at The Furniture Show are featured, including the Latitude bedstead (above) and the Cola and Cappuccino cabinet ranges. The company has also been awarded the...

Staff cuts at Allders.
March 15, 2002... Allders has confirmed it is reorganising its buying team (cm, 8 Mar, p1). A spokesman for the department store chain said the number of redundancies had yet to be decided as `there are vacancies to be filled and a number of new positions...

King's Road style en route to Norwich.
March 15, 2002... Designers Guild is to officially open its first concept store at Clement Joscelyne's Norwich branch on 21 March. The ground floor will be devoted to Designers Guild, stocking the company's full product range of fabrics, wallcoverings,...

Industry prepares to fly the kite.
March 15, 2002... ShowRoom 2002 - the soft furnishing exhibition makes a successful return to its preferred home in Manchester UK furniture could have an Office of Fair Trading kite mark to differentiate it from other products if the industry can agree a...

Courts to enjoy new ID.
March 15, 2002... Courts' new in-store identity will feature colour-themed departments, a revised logo and picture backgrounds to roomsets. The chain used the Ideal Home Show to unveil the first major store format since it opened its first out of town...

Mystery Shopper.
March 15, 2002... In the Mystery Shopper feature on Hull (cm, 8 Mar, p8) the retail environment scores for Charterlands Upholstery and Castle Interiors were wrongly stated. The correct scores were 88% and 94% respectively. Charterlands Upholstery remains the...

Membership boost.
March 15, 2002... Ipswich bed company Mansion House has become a member of the National Bed Federation. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Chicago cash.
March 15, 2002... The DTI is offering grants of #350 to help fund visits to contract furniture exhibition Neocon, in Chicago from 8-11 June. The trip is being organised by The Office Furniture and Filing Manufacturers Association. Details, tel: 0207 331 2000....

Crime conference.
March 15, 2002... Global Technology Forum is holding the International Conference for Information Security in London from 20-22 March. Attendance costs #120 plus VAT. Details, tel: 01737 365100. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Manchester showing.
March 15, 2002... Furniture delivery and assembly company FurnitureBrands is to exhibit at The Manchester Furniture Show in July. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

John Parkins.
March 15, 2002... John Parkins, chairman and founder of John Parkins & Co, died on 6 March. He was 74. From the 1970s to the 1990s he was a major importer of furniture, accessories and basketware from the then quite inaccessible Eastern Europe and China....