Cabinet Maker articles from May 2002

Cabinet Maker archives from May 2002

Universal moves into retail.
May 3, 2002... Cabinet manufacturer Universal Furniture has started a retailing initiative in Scotland with standalone stores and retail concessions to build brand awareness. In March, Universal opened a factory store in Stirling, Lifestyle Furniture...

Profits reach upwards for demerged Collins and Hayes.
May 3, 2002... Pre-tax profits for upholstery manufacturer Collins and Hayes rose by 7.4% to #2.73m for the 32 weeks to 31 January. Turnover was up to #16m from #10.1m previously. It was the first set of full year results released since the manufacturer...

Do we welcome invention?
May 3, 2002... Innovation is a word that scares and excites the furniture industry. Parts of it are sceptical about change, while others embrace the new and extraordinary. When Rachel Sleight (featured next week) collected her Young Designer Award at The...

Wicks & Son to close after five generations.
May 3, 2002... One of the UK's oldest family-run furniture stores is planning to shut its doors after 157 years. T Wicks & Son is closing its Wells, Somerset store after operating for five generations. The move comes a week after Gibbons of Hackney,...

City analysts expect Laura Ashley to unveil pre-tax profit.
May 3, 2002... City analysts expected Laura Ashley to unveil a pre-tax profit of #8.5m for the year to 26 January on Wednesday (1 May). This compares with a profit of #10.2m the previous year. Interest will also focus on the performance of the company's...

Kitchen comeback.
May 3, 2002... Kitchens will return to the Cologne International Furniture Fair next year, with a higher profile, in response to industry demand. They will be featured in a separate section called imm cuisinale. The last time kitchens featured at...

Show postponed.
May 3, 2002... Furnishing exhibition Lyon Premier Influence has been postponed for a year because of `unfavourable economic conditions'. The new date is 15- 17 June 2003 at Euroexpo in Lyon. Details, tel: 00 33 4 72 22 32 54. Copyright: CMP Information...

New site for Wade.
May 3, 2002... Wade Upholstery has moved its production, administration and sales to Bridge Street, Sandiacre, Nottingham NG10 5BH, tel: 0115 939 4500. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Mallinson moves.
May 3, 2002... Mallinson, manufacturer of bendywood and flexywood, has moved to Unit 5, Gore Cross Business Park, Bridport, Dorset DT6 3UX. Details, tel: 01308 427 915 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Tempur partnership.
May 3, 2002... Tempur UK has teamed up with Wincanton Group to run Tempur's warehouse. Logistics company Wincanton specialises in distribution and warehousing. Details, tel: 020 8589 7033. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Health initiative.
May 3, 2002... The Health and Safety Commission has launched a `ready reckoner' form for small and mid-sized British businesses to determine how much work related accidents and illnesses cost them. Details, tel: 08701 545500. Copyright: CMP Information...

Ikea chucks out traditional ideas.
May 3, 2002... Ikea has once again opted for a humorous approach to advertising with its latest campaign - Live UnLtd. The chain urges shoppers to use rooms for what they want rather than what they think they should have - for example, turning an...

New bed on the block?
May 3, 2002... An extraordinary bed shown on BBC1's Tomorrow's World last week will go into commercial production within 12 months, according to its inventors. Marlene Greenhalgh, partner and co-inventor at Mainstay Designs with her husband Colin, said...

Slumberland moves into pocket sprung market.
May 3, 2002... Slumberland is the latest bed company to enter the pocket sprung market. The firm launched the Ornamenta Collection: Arabesque, Renaissance and Baroque at its At Home last week (22-25 April). The 2,000 spring Arabesque retails at #819...

Your questions answered.
May 3, 2002... Q: A customer is unhappy with a difference in colour between the cushions and zips on her suite. She claims that if the furniture is made to order, both should be a perfect match. Surely there must be some middle ground? Zips cannot match every...

Furniture123 aims to break even this year.
May 3, 2002... Furniture123 expects to break even in the second half of the year, according to md Julian Field. In its first year, the online furniture retailer raised #1.25m from venture capital investors. But last year it raised only #500,000 from...

Fake suites warning.
May 3, 2002... Furniture retailers could be approached by three men, believed to be Irish, offering cheap upholstery. The trio have visited several Scottish towns, including Aberdeen and Nairn, attempting to sell the three-piece suites to pensioners. ...

Sally Simmons.
May 3, 2002... Sox Kamen Designs has made former Harrods head of traditional furniture buying Sally Simmons UK retail agent. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Alan Hickford.
May 3, 2002... Harveys has promoted Alan Hickford to director of buying. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Steve Patton.
May 3, 2002... First National has recruited Steve Patton as retail division northern regional manager. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Andy Gale.
May 3, 2002... Andy Gale has been appointed as Sprung Slumber and Enchanted House agent for the South West and South Wales. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Ian Macready.
May 3, 2002... Coexistance has named Ian Macready as sales director. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Allan Allkins.
May 3, 2002... Beale has recruited Hoopers md Allan Allkins as chief executive. He will succeed Michael Mitchell who is due to retire in June. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Show party goers set to raise the roof.
May 3, 2002... This year's party at The BFM London Furniture Show will be at the Roof Gardens in Kensington - one of London's most stunning settings. The Bash will take place on 6 August, and will begin with a drinks reception in the Spanish Gardens,...

Spink & Edgar moves upmarket.
May 3, 2002... Spink & Edgar has upgraded the specification of its range with the launch of six models. The range now uses the Superior Revolution spring system and mattresses have a choice of regular or firmer options. A 1,800 pocket spring divan...

Restructuring pays off at Zoffany.
May 3, 2002... Top end fabric brand Zoffany has seen a significant improvement in profits in the past year, according to parent Walker Greenback. Last year's restructuring allowed management to focus on the brand, and its recent collections have seen a...

Crowson consolidates with Monkwell move.
May 3, 2002... Fabric group Crowson is to relocate the design, sales and marketing functions of Monkwell and Design Archives to its Uckfield, East Sussex, headquarters. Crowson Group operations director Neil Mooney said the accounts, warehousing and...

Showroom sparkles its way to Manchester.
May 3, 2002... The home interiors industry returned to Manchester this week for the inaugural Showroom 2002 at the G-Mex exhibition centre. Held from 28-30 April, the exhibition showcased designs from 140 exhibitors, including leading names such as Ashley...

Ownership: name of the game.
May 3, 2002... Suzanne Padmore and Stephen Sidkin examine why Beds Direct felt passed off Beds Direct is the business name of the Smith family, which has traded in South East Wales since 1981. From 1985 the business advertised in the press and on TV and...

Location, location, location.
May 3, 2002... The timing wasn't exactly right to open a store in the USA, but it was in the right place and had the winning ingredients for retailing success, says Deena Knight Bob Ammirato and Valerie Valentine have 60 years of experience between them...

Ocean colour catalogue scene.
May 3, 2002... As mail order brand Ocean moves into retail, Elspeth Pridham finds a company dedicated to bringing contemporary furniture to the British consumer Until 1995 mail order furniture was primarily aimed at the lower end of the market. The few...

Retail Intelligence.
May 3, 2002... With many stores not extending the winter sale and calling an Easter sale, March proved to be a very divided month. Some 55% of retailers saw the value of sales fall compared with February, 9% saw static sales and 36% saw sales rise. This...

Flexible working.
May 3, 2002... Home office and entertainment furniture that blends with the living room is on the increase, along with home working, reports Richard de Melim It's widely recognised that homeworking has increased, and according to a recent article in The...

Upholstery obsession.
May 3, 2002... Brendan Jordan is passionate about his business and films Brendan Jordan has a lot to look forward to. Two years ago he founded Parkinson Jordan Upholstery with joint md Syd Parkinson. He got married last year to his long-time girlfriend...

ScS first foots into Scotland as part of expansion plans.
May 17, 2002... ScS has confirmed it is to enter the Scottish retail market, with a store in Edinburgh. A store at the Fort Kinnaird retail park will open in time for the August Bank Holiday. Chief executive David Knight said the fact that it would be...

Comment: To err is human, to risk sublime.
May 17, 2002... Commonsense and naivete have been a winning combination for Rodgers (p19). The Browne brothers who now run the family carpet and furniture business confess to having learned by their own mistakes; but not adopting other people's prejudices...

Summer opening for Vokins in Eastbourne.
May 17, 2002... East Sussex retailer Vokins Furniture & Bed Superstores is to open a second store this summer. A 22,000sqft branch will open in mid-August on the Admiral retail park in Eastbourne. Md David Vokins said he had tried to secure a store in...

Igoe Furniture bedroom ranges.
May 17, 2002... Igoe Furniture has added a seven-drawer chest to its Sasha and Valentino bedroom ranges, following strong demand from retailers. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Upholstery repairs go online.
May 17, 2002... An online upholstery repair system has been set up by Furniture Repair Network. Working with 14 upholsterers across the UK, the system provides a link between retailers, manufacturers, warranty companies and the upholsterers. `This...

Taking account of phone numbers.
May 17, 2002... Many Cabinet Maker readers are reaching our accounts department when trying to contact members of the editorial, advertising and production departments. On 4 February Cabinet Maker moved from Tonbridge, Kent to central London. Our...

Westward Europe brochure.
May 17, 2002... Westward Europe has launched a brochure for the Ligna collection of bedroom furniture. The collection has three ranges: Concert, Cottage and Harmony, which were all launched at The furniture Show. All have solid wood frames and lippings. ...

Intohome change.
May 17, 2002... EMAP has confirmed that fabric exhibition Intohome will no longer operate as a standalone show. Instead, it has been merged with the Autumn Fair. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

DIY credit deal.
May 17, 2002... Homebase has named First National as its POS credit supplier. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Office rebranding.
May 17, 2002... Office furniture firm Giroflex is to change its name to Orangebox. `Giroflex is a Swiss brand we don't own,' said md Mino Vernaschi. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Malaysian exports.
May 17, 2002... The Malaysian government is to set up a Furniture Promotion Council in order to try to boost exports, marketing and design. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Beanbags on show.
May 17, 2002... Leather beanbag and furnishings firm Symbiosis is preparing to exhibit at The Manchester Furniture Show from 7-10 July. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Kitchen investment.
May 17, 2002... Royal Strathclyde Blindcraft Industries, formed from the 2001 merger of Blindcraft and Glasgow City Council's City Windows organisation, has invested #400,000 in its Springburn factory. This will enable it to produce 150 kitchens a week from...

Argos eyes award winning Origami.
May 17, 2002... Argos is reviewing student designer Rachel Sleight's Origami sofabed to ascertain whether it will be added to next year's catalogue. `If it meets our requirements we'll take it on,' said Argos trading director Penny Teale. Sleight's...

Corinth Designs and Charnwood become one firm.
May 17, 2002... Upholstery firms Corinth Designs and Charnwood Upholstery have merged and will trade as Charnwood Upholstery. The merger was confirmed on 8 May. The Corinth Designs name will continue as a brand to differentiate the two ranges. ...

Makeover for Habitat branding.
May 17, 2002... Habitat is to be given a facelift with a new corporate identity this summer. The new look will be unveiled next week, along with the company's autumn/winter ranges. It will be introduced in-store in late August and used on store fascias,...

Steelcase refurbishes its London WorkLife Centre.
May 17, 2002... Steelcase has refurbished its London WorkLife Centre allowing it to demonstrate its range of office furniture (pictured). Wall mounted LED boxes allow various moods to be created. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Letter of the month: Time to name suppliers.
May 17, 2002... The issue of how manufacturers, importers and distributors deal with late deliveries has to be addressed. At the front line, consumers expect, within reasonable tolerances, their goods to be delivered within the timescale on the contract....

Rayner secures md position at Relyon.
May 17, 2002... Steinhoff UK has appointed Mike Rayner as md of bed firm Relyon. He was previously md of lock firm Yale Security Products. Steinhoff md Ian Topping said the move would allow him to concentrate on the expanded group role since Relyon was...

Student incentives.
May 17, 2002... Furniture companies are being offered substantial subsidies for taking on a student placement. The DTI and Shell Technology Enterprise Programme will contribute more than half the cost of the project. A fifth of firms that took part...

Bigger stands at BFM London show.
May 17, 2002... Stands at The BFM London Furniture Show in August are set to be almost twice the size of those at last year's event. With only 20% of space remaining, the average stand size is 114sqm, compared with 58sqm in 2001, when the show was held at...

Retailers see shares fall on downgrades.
May 17, 2002... Courts broke through 300p but gave up the gains as store groups were hit by a series of profits downgrades. Ahead of results, Merchant Retail and ScS resisted the trend, but DFS lost 58p as analysts at Deutsche Bank suggested the shares...

Vale thinks big for Nutfield.
May 17, 2002... Vale Upholstery is to open its largest showroom yet, near Nutfield, Surrey. The 5,500sqft showroom will display 40 models from Vale and Bridgecraft Furniture and will be situated near Junction 6 of the M25. The company has showrooms in...

SHARE UPDATE ON 13 MAY.
May 17, 2002... SHARE UPDATE ON 13 MAY Now Change Change High Low over since 2 weeks 1 Jan Retailers Allders ...

Kitchen geography.
May 17, 2002... Consumers are divided over the choice of their kitchens depending on where they live. Consumers in rural areas buy cream coloured, country style kitchens and classic designs in warm woods. Those in urban areas opt for contemporary...

Spectrum hots up with clean lines.
May 17, 2002... Orange, along with hot colours and sleek clean lines, leapt to the forefront of contemporary office furniture at Spectrum. In its 10th year, the show was held at the Commonwealth Galleries in London from 14-17 May and attracted several...

Banking for profit.
May 17, 2002... Are small and medium-sized enterprises being treated fairly by banks? Victoria Jonson considers the recommendations the Government plans to implement When the Competition Commission published its report last year on the supply of banking...

Manchester's magic.
May 17, 2002... A cauldron of colours and textures mixed up a successful spell for the debut of Showroom, reports Sophie Baylis As two manufacturers take in the scene - a fusion of fabrics and designs punctuated by a myriad of colours, served up as...

Where the action is.
May 17, 2002... There are now more movers and shakers in the recliner market offering increasingly stylish product, reports Richard de Melim There are two types of people who buy reclining chairs and sofas. Those who need them, and those who want them....

No nonsense service.
May 17, 2002... Rodgers knows what its customers want and does its best to meet their requirements, says Stephanie Baum Rodgers sits on one of the most desirable retail patches in York. A feisty independent, its site is across the road from Monks Cross...

Talent show.
May 17, 2002... Design-Nation pushes quality British designers, whether famous or fresh from college Design-Nation's website (www.designnation.co.uk) aims to promote home- grown design by showcasing 100 of the `most talented designers working in Britain'....

No soft soaping.
May 17, 2002... Soaps and caravanners are in the firing line for Simon Gilbert In an episode of East Enders we will perhaps never see, a mysterious figure with short cropped hair and closely trimmed beard enters the Queen Vic and, donning a gas mask,...

Beauvale Furnishings up for sale.(Brief Article)
May 24, 2002... Elkstone Holdings, parent company of furniture manufacturer Beauvale Furnishings, textile producer Tudor House and caravan interiors manufacturer Manor House has been put up for sale. The Ilkeston, Derbyshire manufacturer went into...

Bosses will bend rules as World Cup kicks off.(Brief Article)
May 24, 2002... In the run up to the World Cup, retailers and manufacturers are grappling with the issue of work and leisure in a variety of ways. Several have solved the problem with flexible working hours, such as bed retailer Dreams. `A lot of...

Comment: Vampires revealed in Dudley.(Brief Article)(Editorial)
May 24, 2002... Dudley might not be everyone's idea of a seat of great learning, but probably more was done and said to help the furniture industry there last Friday than in many a boardroom around the country. You had to be at the NBF conference (see p5)...

Bed market static says NBF analysis.(Brief Article)
May 24, 2002... Figures from the National Bed Federation suggest that bedding sales are dropping slightly. Turnover for the first quarter of 2002 of the 20 NBF members in the analysis decreased by 0.35% on the equivalent 2001 quarter. `In the last...

Sales jump for Cousins.(Brief Article)
May 24, 2002... Independent furniture retailer Cousins Furniture had sales of #17.1m for the year ending 30 June 2001, reflecting a 9.4% increase over the previous year. Pre-tax profit was #1.5m compared to #978,070 in 2000. Copyright: CMP Information...

M&S to open home furnishing stores.(Marks & Spencer)(Brief Article)
May 24, 2002... Marks & Spencer will open two standalone home furnishing stores next year in a vote of confidence for the sector. Over the past year 27 Home concept shops have been created within larger stores and the company has been encouraged by their...

Selfridges sales up.(Brief Article)
May 24, 2002... In the first 14 weeks of its financial year sales at Selfridges were up 5% at its Oxford Street store while sales rose 15% at its Trafford Centre store. A Manchester city centre store is to open in September and a Birmingham branch in autumn...

Next increase.(Brief Article)
May 24, 2002... Next Retail sales increased by 17% in the 15 weeks to 11 May. Directory sales for the same period increased by 28%. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Manchester sellout.(Manchester Furniture Show)(Brief Article)
May 24, 2002... This year's Manchester Furniture Show, from 7-10 July, has sold out. More than 30 new exhibitors include New Plan and Confortluxe, and the number of bed companies has doubled. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Timber tie-up.(Timbmet Group acquired panel product distributor S Silverman)(Brief Article)
May 24, 2002... The UK's largest hardwood distributor, The Timbmet Group, has acquired panel product distributor S Silverman. Silverman will remain a separate operating company. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

JMT Pellami changes.(Brief Article)
May 24, 2002... Upholstery leather supplier JMT Pellami is changing its name to JMT Leather and moving to a new distribution unit: 1, Inca Business Park, Acton, Sudbury CO10 0BB. Telephone (01787 882552) and fax (01787 880531) numbers are unchanged. ...

V&A inspires exclusive upholstery from C-T.(Brief Article)
May 24, 2002... A partnership between Christie-Tyler and the V&A Museum has resulted in a stylish new upholstery collection. Limited distribution of the distinctive furniture will allow independents, at which it is targeted, to maintain good margins. ...

Homestyle poised to release results.(Brief Article)
May 24, 2002... Homestyle was poised to release its full year results this week as Cabinet Maker went to press. The company announced earlier this year that it expects to defer #4.5m in pre-tax profits to the next financial year, in line with an extension in...

Pressure relief chair.(Brief Article)
May 24, 2002... Joynson Holland has unveiled its Medichair pressure relief seating range featuring heat sensitive Reflexion foam from Vitafoam. The temperature sensitive foam is designed to mould to the shape of the sitter. According to joint md Ian...

Sales down at John Lewis of Hungerford.(Brief Article)
May 24, 2002... A downturn in sales this year, loss of sales staff and delays in opening a second London store hit kitchens and cabinet furniture retailer and manufacturer John Lewis of Hungerford. The 10 store chain also warned that a slowdown in sales at...

Regency joins Home Service.(Brief Article)
May 24, 2002... The Regency Group, a privately-owned upholstery repairer, furniture warranty and carpet and upholstery chemical products provider, has been bought by South Staffordshire Group. Eight companies from The Regency Group will now form part of...

Q+A: Your questions answered.(Brief Article)
May 24, 2002... Q: Following a complaint about a leather suite purchased some 18 months ago, we arranged for the manufacturer to carry out repairs. However, it has now transpired via an independent inspection that the manufacturer applied an incorrect sealant...

Durham Pine grows on.(Brief Article)
May 24, 2002... Durham Pine is continuing its expansion with 18 new stores planned this year. Three stores will open in June - a second Glasgow branch at Clydebank Retail Park and stores in Derby and Colwyn Bay in Wales. Five stores are scheduled to...