Cabinet Maker articles from May 2003

Cabinet Maker archives from May 2003

Courts' new credit option.(Brief Article)
May 2, 2003... Courts is the latest retailer to use Open + Direct as one of its credit providers. `Our customers are extremely important to us and with Open + Direct we are confident that they will receive excellent customer service,' said Ron Hillier,...

Product updates keep DFS orders coming in.(Brief Article)
May 2, 2003... Constantly updating its product range allowed DFS to beat the sales slowdown in the trade since the turn of the year. Like for like orders in the 11 weeks to 20 April grew by 3%, the same rate as since mid-December. Ian Bowness,...

COMMENT: Get in with the in crowd.(Brief Article)
May 2, 2003... Never, it seems, has the furnishing trade been so alive to the idea that we want the things we fill our homes with to be fashionable. At Showroom this week, the show was awash with furnishings that would not have looked out of place on the...

Rosjohn production to move to Romania.(Rosjohn Furniture )(Brief Article)
May 2, 2003... Rosjohn Furniture is set to become the latest UK furniture company to move its manufacturing overseas. The Tottenham, north London cabinet firm is transferring its production operations to Romania by the end of July with the loss of 15...

Homebase boosts Magnet.(Brief Article)
May 2, 2003... Growing sales through DIY chain Homebase helped Magnet boost sales by 12% in the first quarter of the year. The company, part of the Swedish Nobia group, reported net sales of SK1.0008bn (#76.59m) during the period. Operating profit rose by...

Simbeck goes public with direct sell.(Simbeck Furniture)(Brief Article)
May 2, 2003... Traditional cabinet firm Simbeck Furniture is selling direct to the public. The High Wycombe manufacturer opened a consumer showroom adjacent to its factory on Easter Monday. It decided to sell direct to offer the public better value....

Legals: Receivership.(DKL Realisations)
May 2, 2003... DKL Realisations, t/a Birch Multistore, furniture manufacturer. Joint receivers: Charles Escott and Geoff Rowley, RSM Robson Rhodes, Leeds. Tel: 0113 225 4000. Appointed: 11 April. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Legals: Liquidation.
May 2, 2003... This & That (Furniture) Ltd, furniture and bed retailer. Liquidator: Julie Heggart, Smith & Williamson, Salisbury. Tel: 01722 411881. Appointed: 14 April. By: creditors. Drove Pine Ltd, pine furniture manufacturer. Liquidator: Terry Evans,...

Legals: Creditors' notice.
May 2, 2003... Gallaghers Furniture Stores Ltd is being voluntarily wound up. Creditors must send details of claims by 30 July to: Adrian Leopard, Seldomin, Longis Road, Alderney, Channel Islands GY9 3YB. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Legals: Final meeting.
May 2, 2003... Petran Cabinets Ltd and Petran Upholstery Ltd: the final meeting of both companies is at Hacker Young and Partners, St James Building, 79 Oxford Street, Manchester on 26 May at 10am and 11am respectively. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Stripes and designer labels in the Showroom.(Brief Article)
May 2, 2003... Fashion labels, designers and brands were the story at Showroom 2003 as companies sought to set themselves apart while adding value and improving margins. Esprit set the tone by using the show as a platform to launch its bedlinen...

1,000 people nude.
May 2, 2003... More than 1,000 people posed nude at Selfridges' Oxford Street, London, store this week as part of its Body Craze promotion. They were photographed en masse by Spencer Tunick, a New York-born artist. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Elegant Living continues for Tetrad.(Brief Article)
May 2, 2003... Tetrad is to continue marketing the Elegant Living range from Theodore Alexander despite the sale of Theodore Alexander and the departure of its md. Theodore Alexander has been bought out by its Vietnamese parent of the same name for an...

Noel Alston.(Brief Article)(Obituary)
May 2, 2003... Former Alstons Group sales director Noel Alston died on 17 April, aged 64. He joined the cabinet and upholstery firm in 1958 as Eastern Counties sales representative, before progressing to sales manager and then sales director. ...

CITY: DFS figures give rival chains' shares a boost.(Brief Article)
May 2, 2003... Sound interim figures from DFS revitalised the retail furnishings sector. DFS shares gained a modest 4% (14p), but Courts put on 8% (13p) and ScS 13% (23p). Homestyle also benefited from bid rumours, but fell back to a gain of 6% (7p) when...

Share Update on 28 April 2003.(Brief Article)(Illustration)
May 2, 2003... Share Update on 28 April 2003 Bold=new High/Low Now Change Change 2003 2003 over since High Low 2 weeks 1 Jan Retailers Beale ...

Modern move for Derwent.(Brief Article)
May 2, 2003... Derwent is to unveil radical upholstery at its At Home later this month. Renowned for its traditional designs, Derwent will launch a trio of contemporary designs and devote a third of its Riddings, Derbyshire showroom to them. `This...

10 models.
May 2, 2003... Art Forma will debut 10 models at its At Home from 18-21 May. The launches, including Maserati, will be part of an effort to create a distinctive look in classical and modern styles while retaining a broad aesthetic appeal. As well as its own...

Letter: A regrettable experience.(Letter to the Editor)
May 2, 2003... Further to your report on our court case with Peter Betteridge (cm, 18 Apr, p4), this was our first and only court experience anywhere with a client after 37 years of business. The case was lost mainly due to the absence of our main...

DFS growth keeps on rolling.(Brief Article)
May 2, 2003... The latest sales figures from the UK's largest upholstery retailer show at least 43 months of unbroken like for like sales growth. In October 1999, DFS ended 18 months of like for like sales decline after reorganising its buying team,...

Letter: A keen Keen.(Letter to the Editor)
May 2, 2003... It was interesting to see your article about old people in the bedding industry (cm, 4 Apr, p35). I am pleased to say that none of our directors are over 60. Regrettably our wages are much less than those quoted (#81,000 for a director)...

Red dot winners.(Brief Article)
May 2, 2003... Walter Knoll's Nelson 601 upholstery range helped it win one of this year's red dot design awards. The range won the award along with the Jason Lite chair and Kite sofa. Nelson features an expandable neck support and seat, depending on...

SHOP WINDOW: HENDERSON RUSSELL.
May 2, 2003... The Guild's latest member, Henderson Russell, will be showing its Atlanta, available in classic and pillow back options. Contact Henderson Russell on 0115 9462121 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW: GASCOIGNE DESIGNS.
May 2, 2003... The Henley will be among Gascoigne Designs' new products. The split- back, fixed cover design will be available in a variety of fabrics. Contact Gascoigne Designs on 0115 9464070 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW: WADE UPHOLSTERY.
May 2, 2003... The scatter back Savoy sofa is the latest traditional design from Wade Upholstery. Contact Wade Upholstery on 0115 9730730 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW: ARTISTIC UPHOLSTERY.
May 2, 2003... The single back Belmont sofa, shown in Elegance silver fabric, from Artistic Upholstery boasts scroll arms and contrasting scatter cushions. Contact Artistic Upholstery on 0115 9734481 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW: DURESTA.
May 2, 2003... The Laura sofa from Duresta is part of The New Holland Park slip cover collection. Contact Duresta Upholstery on 0115 9737000 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW: LIV'IT.
May 2, 2003... The Sly table from Liv'it has stainless steel features and veneered wood legs. It was designed by Didier Gomez. Contact Liv'it on 00 39 07211202709 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW: CASSINA.
May 2, 2003... Cassina's Spin chair, designed by Hannes Wettstein, combines comfort and style with a retro look. The cover has raised stitching. Contact Cassina on 00 39 03623721 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW: DELIGHT.
May 2, 2003... The Mambo pivoting stool in blown techno polymer, from Delight has a co- injected polypropylene base and the chair features a gas driven adjustable height. Contact Delight on 00 39 577934254 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW: FIAM ITALIA.
May 2, 2003... UBI Major is a range of occasional tables by Roberto Paoli for Fiam Italia. The upper shelf is welded to the top and the structure is tubular and chrome plated. Contact Fiam Italia on 00 39 072120051 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW: LIGNE ROSET.
May 2, 2003... Ligne Roset's Good News magazine rack is made from anodised aluminium and designed by Arik Levy. Contact Ligne Roset on 01494 865001 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

HEALTH INSURANCE: Remedial action.
May 2, 2003... If you're too sick to work insurance could be the right tonic, says Brian Collett The problem A young man who is the only provider for his family, has a debilitating illness and is unlikely to work again. He has a wife and children to...

Salone Internazionale del Mobile 2003: Refined and defined.
May 2, 2003... There was plenty of innovation in Milan, but it was all in the details. Richard de Melim gets down to the nitty gritty Everything was different and yet it was all the same. The theme at Salone Internazionale del Mobile in Milan, and indeed...

Salone Internazionale del Mobile 2003: FACT FILE.
May 2, 2003... What: Salone Internazionale del Mobile 2003, incorporating the biennial lighting show Euroluce, the International Furnishing Accessories Exhibition and the new Bathroom and Home Textiles sections. When: 9-14 April 2003. Who: 171,520...

Salone Internazionale del Mobile 2003: Plastic's fantastic innovation.
May 2, 2003... The combination of the Italian desire to constantly innovate and the emergence of new technology means plastic is close to becoming a must have material in many furniture pieces. Of course, wood is still popular, particularly oak, but as...

Salone Internazionale del Mobile 2003: Sitting with art.
May 2, 2003... La Meteora made a splash with its Artistic Seat event at Milan. It had 14 installations from Antonio Parasido, Dario Carmentano, Giuseppe Miriello, Salvatore Sebaste, Donato Linzalata, Paolo De Santoli and Angelo Palumbo with upholstery...

Salone Internazionale del Mobile 2003: Black and white and red all over.
May 2, 2003... Red was a favourite, although the sharp contrast offered by black and white was also used with regularity. Of the other neutral colours, beiges and the like have perhaps been overtaken by greys and off- whites. Transparency continues to be...

Salone Internazionale del Mobile 2003: Still sharp shooting.
May 2, 2003... Lines are still straight(ish) on both upholstery and cabinet at the cutting edge of design. New ways of using plastic has given some firms reason to incorporate more curves into designs, but they haven't gone overboard. As ever, the clean...

Salone Internazionale del Mobile 2003: Fashion takes a front seat.
May 2, 2003... Leather suppliers are giving customers what they want and that includes fashionable colours, textures and styles to suit the modern lifestyle, reports Alison Gay The consumer's appetite for leather is getting more ravenous with each...

Salone Internazionale del Mobile 2003: Take it to the edge.(Brief Article)
May 2, 2003... This year, SaloneSatellite dedicated Hall 9 to 400 young designers from 20 schools around the world, giving them the opportunity to be as avant- garde as they like. If you think along the lines of wearable lampshades, suspending books in a...

Tempting the taste buds.
May 2, 2003... The southern Italy store creates desire for its stylish products without pushing the price aspect, reports Richard de Melim It's not easy to get excited about a toothpick holder. But, as Saverio Calia squeezes the fin of a tiny acrylic fish...

Taking care of the UK.(Calia Salotti )(Brief Article)
May 2, 2003... Calia Salotti is one of the largest furniture manufacturers in Italy with a turnover of about #65m. It exports some 90% of the 320,000 seats it produces annually. The UK is its chief export market, though it's fair to say there is still...

Discounts have `cost trade #1bn'.(retailers, UKPd1 billion)(Brief Article)
May 9, 2003... Copyright: CMP Information Ltd. Retailers could be charging 11% more for furniture if discounting had been lower during the past two decades. A sofa or kitchen that sold for UKPd1,000 in January 1987 would have a retail price of just...

Silentnight warns of more restructuring pain.(Brief Article)
May 9, 2003... Silentnight Holdings has warned that restructuring its loss making furniture division will cost another #13m this year. Some #16.1m has already been spent at Ducal, Parker Knoll and Silentnight Furniture. Once Ducal and Parker Knoll's...

COMMENT: Pool your buying power.(Brief Article)
May 9, 2003... There was only one message from the multiples in the newspapers over the Bank Holiday - discounting. Regardless of which newspaper you read, the message was the same: `This leather sofa now less than half price - this weekend only'. ...

BoConcept sales up but still no UK profit.(Brief Article)
May 9, 2003... Contemporary furniture retailer BoConcept generated UK sales of #4.66m in the six months to 28 February. However, the chain has yet to generate a profit, with operating losses of #1.1m. Sales rose by 119% as the chain grew from three...

Gautier is moving.(Brief Article)
May 9, 2003... Gautier is moving to larger, purpose built premises on 19 May. The site - 4 Curo Park, Frogmore, St Albans, Hertfordshire - will house its offices and warehouse. The firm also plans to add a trade showroom to the complex. Copyright: CMP...

Failing figures.(Brief Article)
May 9, 2003... The number of firms going under in England and Wales fell by 8.2% to 3,684 in the first quarter of the year. Figures from the Insolvency Service show the failures were 13.9% lower than in the last quarter of 2002 and accounted for about...

United buying boost for Co-op.(Brief Article)
May 9, 2003... The Co-operative Group's buying power has been boosted by United Co-op joining its department store buying group. Adding United's 17 non-food stores, including its flagship 80,000sqft Bradford store, boosts the buying group to 75 stores. It...

Flammability regulations.(Brief Article)
May 9, 2003... Trading Standards officers received advice on the flammability regulations at SATRA last week. The key topic was what action retailers and manufacturers should take to ensure due diligence to minimise the risk of prosecution. The seminar also...

Vantona's colour match.
May 9, 2003... Vantona's new Colour Collection brochure includes full product details, including product type by range, plus information on its link with Dulux. This allows consumers to match, complement and contrast three Dulux paints to each bedlinen...

Sales recover.(Brief Article)
May 9, 2003... Furniture and floorcoverings retailers saw sales recover in April, according to the CBI Distributive Trades Survey. The late Easter and unusually warm weather boosted retail sales in April but underlying sales growth was still weak. For a...

Courts UK dips back into the red.(Brief Article)
May 9, 2003... Courts UK operation fell back into the red in the past year. The company warned that it was likely to see `a small operating loss' for the financial year ended 31 March. In 2001/02 its UK operation lifted operating profits by #7m to...

Market defined bedlinen.(Brief Article)
May 9, 2003... Bedding supplier John Cotton has revised its marketing strategy to target distinct customers with two new brands. Nick Cotton, md said the move was a response to the commodity driven nature of the bedding market. `There has been an...

Nova targets increase in electronic transactions.(Brief Article)
May 9, 2003... Credit firm Nova Retail Finance is aiming to process 75% of transactions electronically in the next year. The firm saw sales rise by 3.7% to #288m in the year to 31 March, when it processed 60% of transactions electronically. Pre-tax...

Square deal at show.
May 9, 2003... The BFM London Furniture Show in August will see the introduction of a top end section to the exhibition - The Square. The area will cover traditional, modern and contemporary furniture. Exhibitors include The Collection, Spratts, James...

Letter: Headboard problem.(Letter to the Editor)
May 9, 2003... I would like to reply to your article (cm 18 Apr, p5) regarding Highgate Beds and Perfect Nights. Asif Ayub, Highgate Beds marketing director stated that he was assured that the headboards (from Sweet Sleep) did comply with the...

SHOP WINDOW: GREENSMITH.
May 9, 2003... Greensmith Upholstery will debut the Dickens armchair, with deep button back and carved front legs with castors. Contact Greensmith on 0115 973 3446 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW: DAVID GUNDRY.
May 9, 2003... The Cadiz from David Gundry Upholstery combines sloping scroll arms and a scatter back with a non-skirt front. Contact David Gundry on 0115 972 9147 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW: STEED UPHOLSTERY.
May 9, 2003... Steed Upholstery combines comfort and simplicity of style with its Sherwood sofa and armchair. Contact Steed Upholstery on 0115 973 4166 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW: PARKER & FARR.
May 9, 2003... Parker & Farr continues its sumptuous styling with the two-tone scatter back Day Dream. Contact Parker & Farr on 0115 925 2131 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW: ASHLEY HOUSE.
May 9, 2003... Florals and stripes combine on Ashley House's Rochester model with split skirt. Contact Ashley House on 0115 946 1065 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Retail Intelligence.
May 9, 2003... March proved to be a slightly better month than February for most retailers. While the winter sales continued at some stores, it seemed to have little impact on sales. For some 42% of stores sales were lower than in February, 33% held...

Hide and sleek.
May 9, 2003... There is a growing demand for furniture in which to store and display precious items. Liam O'Brien tracks the market trends The industry is about to benefit from a considerable hike in demand for storage-efficient furniture, according to...

For better, for worse.
May 9, 2003... The furniture supplier/retailer relationship is often an uneasy one, with the handling of complaints seemingly the sorest point. In the first of two articles, retailers tell Jane Oliphant where their suppliers are going wrong Who knows,...

Friends in the chair.(Brief Article)
May 9, 2003... Take six friends and ask them to design a recliner for a successful company. If it sounds like a storyline in a sitcom, you could be right. Stephanie Baum tells all If you let the cast of the US's current most successful sitcom loose in an...

FIRST PERSON STEPHEN DURRANS: Keeping an open mind.(Interview)
May 9, 2003... How did you get started in business? After qualifying as an engineer at the age of 21, I joined my father in law Jeffrey Burrows in his furniture manufacturing and mail order business in 1981. That company developed into what is now Jay-Be...

KA to double UK outlets.(KA International)(Brief Article)
May 16, 2003... Upholstery, fabric and accessories retailer KA International plans to almost double the size of its UK operation in the next year. The Spanish chain opened its 13th UK store on 10 May at Farnham Common, Slough and plans 10 to12 more in the...

Mixed reaction to Natuzzi's KoL proposal.(Natuzzi Salotti S.p.A. to acquire Kingdom of Leather)(Brief Article)
May 16, 2003... Retailers have reacted with a mixture of shock and caution to Natuzzi's proposed purchase of 15-store chain Kingdom of Leather for an undisclosed sum. Some said they would be seeking reassurances from Natuzzi about potential conflicts of...

Comment: A private department.(department store acquisitions)(Brief Article)
May 16, 2003... Can't decide what to buy? Just buy the whole store. With the latest news of Selfridges' possible sale to Canadian retailing billionaire Galen Weston (see p6), and then the offer for Debenhams following hot on its heels, it seems like the...

Dorma and Pin Mill copying case settled.(Dorma Group v. Pin Mill Textiles Ltd.)
May 16, 2003... Soft furnishings firm Pin Mill Textiles has paid #35,000 to Dorma Group and withdrawn three designs to settle a copying legal case. Pin Mill agreed to settle the litigation without admitting liability. Dorma claimed that Pin Mill's...

JLP staff boost sales.(John Lewis PLC)(Brief Article)
May 16, 2003... John Lewis department store staff increased sales per employee by 5% to #97,400 in the past year. The increase helped boost trading profits by 9% to #105.9m in the year to 25 January. Despite the rise, profits were still 35% down on 1998-...

Royal visit.(Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway visits Ercol Furniture Ltd. factory)(Brief Article)
May 16, 2003... Ercol's #20m Princes Risborough factory received its second royal visit when Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway visited recently. The Princess is patron of the Norwegian Design Council. `The Crown Princess seemed to really enjoy her visit,...

No flights of fancy for Ducal's launches and revisions.(Brief Article)
May 16, 2003... Ducal showed its future this week with cleaner lines, a more up to date look and tighter ranges. Retailers were given their first chance to see the firm's revised models and future designs at the Silentnight At Home show (11-14 May). ...

Widening the market.(Parker Knoll PLC)(Brief Article)
May 16, 2003... Parker Knoll will not abandon its over 55s market as it seeks to target a wider consumer audience. This was the message from Alison MacDonald, sales and marketing director as it launched the Milan sofa. Pitched at 40-55 year-olds,...

Major push for Layezee brand.(Danny Hughes' marketing plans)(Brief Article)
May 16, 2003... Danny Hughes, Layezee md has vowed to strengthen the brand on the high street. A month after taking charge of the Layezee and Perfecta brands, Hughes said there would be a major marketing push in the autumn, along with new products and...

Upgrades and American style.(Silentnight Furniture)(Brief Article)
May 16, 2003... Silentnight Furniture continued it policy of upgrading the technical specification of its ranges and opted for an American look for its main launch. The transitional, nine-piece Vermont living room range has an angled apron and wide base...

Weighty issues tackled.(new Rest Assured models)(Brief Article)
May 16, 2003... Non-turn mattresses were key to Rest Assured's launches, with two models. The additional weight of pocket springs compared to open coil units can make turning large mattresses difficult. By combining latex with springs, Rest Assured has...

CITY: Selfridges accepts Weston's #598m offer.(Galen Weston buys Selfridges Ltd.)(Brief Article)
May 16, 2003... Despite previous denials of interest in Selfridges, Canadian retailing billionaire Galen Weston's #598m (387p per share) offer was accepted. Entrepreneur Tom Hunter abandoned his attempts to buy the department store group after his 385p...

Share Update on 12 May 2003.(Brief Article)
May 16, 2003... Share Update on 12 May 2003 Bold=new High/Low Now Change Change 2003 2003 over since High Low 2 weeks 1 Jan Retailers Beale ...

Cautious Proposte.(Brief Article)
May 16, 2003... The uncertain global economic climate had a knock-on effect at Proposte (7-9 May), with designers taking a more cautious approach to fabrics. One UK buyer said the event lacked the excitement and inspiration traditionally associated with...

Furnishing fabric exhibition.(Scoperta)(Brief Article)
May 16, 2003... Dicitex Decor from Bombay showed its curtain fabric made with space dyed chenille at Scoperta. The furnishing fabric exhibition, held in Chiasso, Switzerland from 6-9 May, featured a designer component for the first time in a new smaller...

The best of British.(BFM London Furniture Show)(Brief Article)
May 16, 2003... The best of British design and quality will be on show from 3-6 August with the BFM Showcase section at The BFM London Furniture Show. Sherborne, Vale Upholstery and Wood Bros will be among those showcased. Wood Bros will make its BFM show...