Cabinet Maker articles from May 2005

Cabinet Maker archives from May 2005

Furnitureland sales up 14%.
May 6, 2005... Furnitureland has reported a 14% rise in sales since Boxing Day, bucking the downturn in the retail furniture sector. Steve Adams, joint md said that the industry was in danger of talking itself into a recession. `We're doing pretty good....

Eurotrade directors admit duty evasion.(Gerrard Strange and Richard Ramsden)(Brief Article)
May 6, 2005... Eurotrade Furniture directors Gerrard Strange and Richard Ramsden will be sentenced on 17 November after pleading guilty to evading duty on cigarettes. The duo also face a confiscation hearing on the same day. Both men pleaded guilty to...

Nathan sale.(Brief Article)
May 6, 2005... Nicholas Radford is on the verge of completing a deal to buy Nathan from Silentnight Group. The Ocean Designs md and former Lane agent should sign the final papers for the cabinet firm, best known for its teak ranges, by early next week. ...

No Bank Holiday bonanza.
May 6, 2005... The Centre for Economic and Business Research may have predicted a #150m sales boost over the May Bank Holiday weekend but furniture retailers remained cautious. `We had quite a good weekend but nothing fantastic,' said Paul Bishop,...

Bed prescription.
May 6, 2005... North Wales Beds and Silentnight Beds combined at the weekend to offer Wrexham shoppers tips on a good night's sleep. Bedtime health expert Dr Trisha Macnair, Graham Butterfield, Silentnight Beds national sales director; John Smallwood, North...

Ukfirst to tackle fabric supply chain.(Brief Article)
May 6, 2005... Manufacturing advice body ukfirst is to set up a programme to improve the fabric sector's supply chain, after it emerged as one of the key factors facing the 500 companies participating with the DTI backed organisation. Ukfirst has teamed...

Sales down for the third time.(furniture retailers)(Brief Article)
May 6, 2005... April was another poor month for furniture and floorcoverings retailers, as they suffered a downturn in sales for the third time this year. A balance of 58% of retailers said sales volumes were lower than in April 2004 - the worst...

IN BRIEF: Morris award double.(Morris Furniture Group )(Brief Article)
May 6, 2005... Morris Furniture Group has won The Bank of Scotland Award for Overall Best Performing Business in the Chamber of Commerce's Glasgow Business Awards and the Scottish Enterprise Glasgow Award for Best Performing Business (over 25 employees)....

IN BRIEF: Positive Smallbone.(Smallbone PLC)(Brief Article)
May 6, 2005... Charles Smallbone, Smallbone executive chairman told shareholders at the kitchen and bedroom retailer's AGM last week that `2005 has started well and sales to date have been encouraging. We believe that 2005 will be a year of investment,...

IN BRIEF: No credit offer.(Maples Fire Surrounds)(Brief Article)
May 6, 2005... Sheffield fireplace retailer Maples Fire Surrounds has had an application for a credit licence rejected by the Office of Fair Trading. The rejection was one of 18 in the first quarter of the year. The OFT has given no reason for turning down...

IN BRIEF: House price growth.(Brief Article)
May 6, 2005... Annual house price inflation was 7% last month, according to Nationwide, the lowest growth rate for four years. The building society reduced its forecast for house price inflation for the year to 2%. Fionnuala Earley, Nationwide group economist...

IN BRIEF: Low pensions.(Brief Article)
May 6, 2005... The UK has one of the lowest state pensions in the Western world, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Britons on an average salary of #22,000 would receive a pension of 48% of post-tax pay. This...

MBO eyed at Reid.(Reid Furniture Ltd.)(Brief Article)
May 6, 2005... Reid Furniture is likely to be bought by its management, with a takeover set to take place by the end of this year. Alan Marnie, md refuted industry claims that a deal had been agreed between Sam Reid, founder and chairman, and the other...

Modern classics.
May 6, 2005... The work of 10 British designers will be highlighted as Antiques for the Future later this month when London antique dealer Norman Adams shows contemporary furniture for the first time in its 83 year history. `At a time when British...

Northern lights.
May 6, 2005... Furniture, lighting and accessories firm Christopher Wray is to open its northern flagship showroom in Manchester on 19 May. The opening of the 5,500sqft store on the city's High Street will see the introduction of the company's latest...

Sales plunge for Magnet.(Brief Article)
May 6, 2005... Magnet and its UK sister firms saw sales drop by 9% to #88.9m in the first quarter of the year - almost three times the rate of decline in its core kitchen market, estimated to have fallen by 3.5% by parent Nobia. While sales were hit by...

Smashing time.
May 6, 2005... Dids Macdonald, ACID chief executive, oversees the destruction of copies of Magis's Bombo stools and tables. ACID discovered the products at The Spring Fair earlier this year, imported from Chinese manufacturers Guangzhou Foreign Trade Baiyun...

Taylor injects #1m into better service.(Taylor & Co )(Brief Article)
May 6, 2005... Cabinet company Taylor & Co is due to open an 8,000sqft trade showroom in Haywards Heath, West Sussex, today (6 May), as part of a #1m investment programme over two years. Some eight agents have been taken on to increase sales and customer...

Voucher promotion.(GlynWebb)(Brief Article)
May 6, 2005... Furniture and DIY chain GlynWebb is to offer consumers an effective 20% discount on furniture purchases over the next two weeks. For every #25 spent on indoor furniture, shoppers will receive a #5 voucher which can be used between 23 May...

GlynWebb - Appointments.(Brief Article)
May 6, 2005... GlynWebb has reshuffled some of its store managers. Danny Knight has become the manager at Ipswich, being succeeded at Leicester by Mansfield manager Geraldine Cockerham. Worksop manager Charlie Waters has moved to Mansfield while Julie Gray...

Guardsman - Appointments.(Brief Article)
May 6, 2005... Guardsman has recruited Emma Bentley as quality and training coach, while Debbie Garratley and James Tracey have been appointed as business development executives for the Midlands and Scotland areas respectively. Copyright: CMP Information...

Organiser eases visa problems.(Brief Article)
May 6, 2005... Visitors to Scoperta and Comocreainterni next week will be able to obtain Swiss visas there, rather than applying before travelling, as previously Show organiser Trade Link will again provide shuttle buses between Proposte at Lake Como and...

Madrid homes in on international market.
May 6, 2005... The Madrid International Furniture Fair has grand designs to surpass Valencia as the destination Spanish exhibition for international buyers. It wants to broaden its profile beyond a show bent towards the domestic market to improve the...

Letters: Why the Sleepeezee factory is closing.(Letter to the Editor)
May 6, 2005... The news of the proposed closure of the Sleepeezee factory in Merton (CM, 29 Apr, p3), while not a surprise to me, is incredibly sad for the workforce and for our industry as a whole. It's a prime example of how lack of basic business...

LEADER: Nathan gets another chance.(Nathan)(Parker Knoll)(Nicholas Radford )(Brief Article)
May 6, 2005... After a long wait, Nathan has finally found a new owner. It's always good news when someone backs a British brand. Yet, many retailers may be wondering just how Nicholas Radford will resuscitate this long- standing trade name. Its former...

Views By Andrew Adamson.(Brief Article)
May 6, 2005... I am a great believer in avoiding complaining customers, that is avoiding putting a customer in a position where they need to complain. It is my belief that most complaints can be avoided. If any company has too many complaints, the cost of...

Talk: Will there be an upturn in trade after the election?
May 6, 2005... Will there be an upturn in trade after the election? `If the right Government gets in there probably will be. I think it unlikely if Labour gets back in. A change of Government would be a good thing.' Arthur Le Cornu, Furniture World...

Scan-Thor Design for Commerce Award: Producing winners.
May 6, 2005... Two furniture design students from Nottingham Trent University will be jetting to Poland next week after their sofabed designs were chosen as the winners of the Scan-Thor Design for Commerce Award. Tom Rawlings' two-seater design took the...

SHOP WINDOW - LONG EATON: Gascoigne Designs.
May 6, 2005... The Emperor knole sofa from Gascoigne Designs has a high back providing support for taller people. It is available in six widths and three arm styles. Tel: 0115 946 4070 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW - LONG EATON: Greensmith Upholstery.
May 6, 2005... Greensmith Upholstery's Abbey has a sprung base, mahogany legs with brass castors and is available in three-seater, two and a half-seater and two-seater sizes and a choice of two chair sizes. Tel: 0115 973 3446 Copyright: CMP...

SHOP WINDOW - LONG EATON: Parker + Farr.
May 6, 2005... The Charleston from Parker + Farr, shown in a mixture of linen and silk, is an elegant and sumptuous design detailed with exclusive trimmings which complement its clean lines. Tel: 0115 925 2131 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW - LONG EATON: Steed Upholstery.
May 6, 2005... Steed Upholstery's Edinburgh is available as a three-seater, two seater and chair. As with all Steed models, it can also be made to bespoke sizes. Tel: 0115 973 4166 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

STORE MANAGER: No place for bullies.(cases of Cantor Fitzgerald International)(usage of abusive language)
May 6, 2005... Using abusive language and having a domineering attitude to employees can have dramatic consequences, report Gareth Edwards and Clive Day The case of Horkulak v Cantor Fitzgerald International created headlines in 2003 on the issue of...

DINING CABINET: Happy families?(dining table )
May 6, 2005... The dining table is growing, both in length and width, as it becomes the centre of the home. Stephanie Baum reports on what's behind the change The dining table is growing. For the top end and the upper end of the middle market it is...

IMPORTS - CONTAINERS: Sharing the load.(container sharing)
May 6, 2005... A complete container of furniture is not an option for some retailers. Mark Lewis looks at the growing trend of splitting the contents and also the costs Competing with multiples can be a demoralising business for an independent. Despite...

REVIEW - CHILDRENS': Room for growth.(Children's furniture)
May 6, 2005... With price the dominant factor in children's furniture, manufacturers and retailers are hesitant about exploring the market potential, reports Tom Levitt Children are expensive. First are the nappies, followed swiftly by small-sized...

REVIEW - HIGHPOINT: New take on classics.(Highpoint exhibition)
May 6, 2005... Manufacturers were keen to offer consumers what they want, which seems to be a mix and match of traditional and contemporary The spring Highpoint exhibition had an element of deja vu. Trends new to the US show appeared to take off where...

RETAIL - INTELLIGENCE: March trading.(sales of furniture industry)
May 6, 2005... bu Andrew Kidd March can be summed up in one word - dreadful. An early Easter proved to be of little help to most stores as consumers decided there were other more interesting thing to do than go shopping for furniture. While 5% of...

MARKET - REVIEW: Make your logo work.
May 6, 2005... A company logo tells a lot about a business, so it is important to get it right. Business Link for London offers some helpful advice on design and style A company's logo can help create a positive, professional and consistent image of a...

TECHNOLOGY - SUPPLY CHAIN SYSTEMS: Circle of savings.
May 6, 2005... Collaborative technologies in the retail supply chain can be cost effective and cut down on stock, reports Dr Mark Dorgan Trying to stay ahead of the competition by spotting the newest developments in supply chain technology usually...

A ready answer for everything.(interview with Mark Preston)(Interview)
May 6, 2005... Mark Preston is Slumberland marketing manager How did you get started in the industry? I had just graduated with a degree in advertising and marketing and was enjoying the summer sun, when I stumbled across an advert for a marketing...

Playboys welcome.
May 6, 2005... For many this will be the ultimate furnishing challenge (especially those who see themselves as a bit of a playboy), and perfect for filling in those customer-free hours. What is it? Decorating Hugh Hefner's mansion. A new computer game...

Owens cleared of duty evasion.(John Owens)(Brief Article)
May 13, 2005... John Owens, Seconique buyer, has returned to work after being found not guilty of conspiring to evade tobacco duty. He described the time since his arrest in 2003 as `18 months of hell'. After a month-long trial, the jury at Bristol Crown...

Retail battle looms.(Land of Leather)(Harveys)
May 13, 2005... A row has broken out between Land of Leather and Harveys. In a series of letters, Harveys' parent, Homestyle, accused Paul Briant, Land of Leather chairman, of deliberately spreading untrue rumours to some of their shared suppliers in an...

Homestyle still looking at reducing its debts.(Brief Article)
May 13, 2005... Homestyle Group has broken its public silence in the wake of its share price falling by a third in the past fortnight to reiterate to shareholders that it is continuing to look at ways of reducing its debts. But, a leading stockbroker has cast...

High level of retail sickness.
May 13, 2005... Retail staff are among the most likely to have to take time off work because of illness, according to a report. They are also more likely than average to take sick leave when they're not actually ill. Retail employees take an average of...

Margins plummet.(John Lewis )(Brief Article)
May 13, 2005... Kitchen retailer John Lewis of Hungerford saw its gross margin slashed by more than 10% as it increased its promotional offers in an effort to maintain turnover in the winter sale. The chain began its winter sale a month early in December...

Ekornes targets #799 offer.(Brief Article)
May 13, 2005... Ekornes has reacted to a traditional slow trading May and June period with a campaign focusing on the price of its entry level product. It is a departure from its usual promotional activity which focuses on comfort and quality. The Consul...

Casamass looking up.(restructuring)(Brief Article)
May 13, 2005... Contemporary furniture manufacturer Casamass is showing signs of a financial revival after restructuring its sales operation. `The new ranges launched at The Furniture Show are starting to get out there and firing,' said Paul Whitehead, md....

IN BRIEF: Foam branding.
May 13, 2005... The polyurethane foam industry has launched a certification scheme to improve consumer confidence after organisations such as WWF raised concerns about the chemicals used in foam. A spokesman for the European Association of Flexible...

IN BRIEF: Liquidations drop.(Brief Article)
May 13, 2005... The number of company liquidations in England and Wales dropped by 7.4% in the first quarter of the year, to 2,900. Some 1,064 firms were subject to compulsory liquidations, down 9%. Personal insolvencies rose by 28% to 13,229. Bankruptcies...

IN BRIEF: Chinese tour.
May 13, 2005... The bssa is considering organising a retail tour of Shanghai and Beijing from 2-5 September, followed by the Asian Retail Conference (6- 10 September). Participation must be confirmed by the end of the month. Tel 01295 712 277. Copyright:...

IN BRIEF: Sales decline.
May 13, 2005... Like for like retail sales fell by 4.7% in April, according to the British Retail Consortium. `Consumer caution and the slowing housing market continued to hit big-ticket items, particularly white goods and furniture,' said the BRC. ...

IN BRIEF: Congestion cut.
May 13, 2005... London's congestion charge could end 30 minutes earlier at 6pm as part of its expansion westwards in 2007. The enlarged area could also be smaller than originally proposed, a Transport for London consultation document revealed. Copyright:...

Currys blow for MFI.(MFI Furniture Group Ltd.)
May 13, 2005... MFI is to lose #3m of annual profits after ceasing its Hygena at Currys concession operation. The closure came as MFI faces a shareholder revolt at its AGM next week. Launched at the end of 2000, the concessions were part of MFI's plan to...

Management buy Kennedy.(Christie-Tyler Group )(Brief Article)
May 13, 2005... Christie-Tyler Group has sold cabinet arm REH Kennedy to its management for an undisclosed sum. The papers for the deal were finally signed after protracted negotiations between C-T and the Kennedy management team, led by Mike Ruffles, md...

City: Retail gloom as all shares tumble.(Brief Article)
May 13, 2005... All shares in the Cabinet Maker Index dropped, led by Homestyle which lost 19.7% (18p) as the retail gloom settled most heavily on the weakest players. Following disappointed hopes of a cash bid from Bain Capital, investors fear management...

Kitchen sales drama unfolds.(Brief Article)
May 13, 2005... The kitchen market will see sales growth more than halve in the next three years, after enjoying double digit growth in the past four years. The market will grow by 6.7% to #1.218bn (at MSP) by 2008, compared with growth of 14% between...

Overseas deal warning.(Brief Article)
May 13, 2005... Tony Lippett, former Himolla UK sales agent, has warned other agents to secure their legal position before working for overseas companies. Three months after the upholstery company terminated the agency agreement with AHL Furniture Sales,...

Next: a good time to buy.(Brief Article)
May 13, 2005... Next lost 90p in the fortnight, dipping below the technically important 200-day moving average, where the most recent price replaces the oldest price in a sequence of 200 days. Technical analysts calculate a support level at 1,432p: a breach of...

Collins and Hayes - Appointment.(Phillip Bennett)(Brief Article)
May 13, 2005... Phillip Bennett, Collins and Hayes chairman has stepped down from the upholstery group after a management restructuring at majority shareholder Gartland Whalley and Barker (GWB), where he had been group md. `The restructuring meant there was...

A focus on change.(Promosedia- furniture exhibition)(Brief Article)
May 13, 2005... Visitors to Promosedia in the autumn will see a major change with a revised layout and a new section at the chair exhibition. The organiser of the Udine, Italy event wants to arrange exhibitors by product style - modern, classic, garden,...

Letter: A retirement sale can help succession.(Letter to the Editor)
May 13, 2005... The thought provoking article, Who's next in line? (CM, 22 Apr, p15) by Paul Clapham shed some much needed light on the age-long dilemma of succession planning. In a recent study commissioned by a major accounting firm's Centre For Family...

Leader: Cabinet Maker: saying it like it is.
May 13, 2005... Cabinet Maker is 125 years-old this year. A milestone not many trade magazines manage to achieve as their trades move on and demand different types of communication. Whether we have been able to offer this consistently over the years is for you...

Views By Mike Spencer.(Home furnishings industry)(Brief Article)(Column)
May 13, 2005... As part of my organisation's drive to improve the image of the UK's bespoke soft furnishing and upholstery sector, I have spent the past few weeks preparing for and exhibiting at the BBC Good Homes Show at the NEC. If my gut feelings are...

Talk: Is absenteeism a problem for you.
May 13, 2005... Is absenteeism, which now averages seven days a year, a problem for you? `I think we are quite lucky because we don't really have a problem. Whenever staff are off sick we ask them to fill in an absenteeism form and give a reason for their...

Is the economy losing its smile?
May 13, 2005... The Government's re-election was built on the strength of the economy. However, predictions are that it may be about to change, reports Mark Lewis We'd never seen him smile quite so broadly. With a limp Tory revival and a Prime Minister...

Slow growth and high prices.(Brief Article)
May 13, 2005... Reports this week that the MPC could agree a cut in interest rates by the end of the year shows the tricky situation the Bank of England is in. If retail sales continue to fall, then industry bodies such as the BRC are likely to lend their...

SHOP WINDOW - BEDROOMS: Burbidge.
May 13, 2005... The Emilia bedroom range from Burbidge has been expanded into this painted cream option. Offering bedroom planners more choice, the collection includes three styles of door - a solid panelled door, a full height bevelled edge mirror door and a...

SHOP WINDOW - BEDROOMS: Lifestyle Furniture.
May 13, 2005... The Saville bed is from Lifestyle Furniture's Amazon range. Its bestselling eucalyptus collection comprises nine pieces, including a wardrobe and chest of drawers. Tel: 00353 50262424 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW - BEDROOMS: Igoe.
May 13, 2005... The new Metro bedroom from Igoe is a contemporary design in a warm Belgian cherry finish. It offers a semi-fitted look, as the consumer can make best use of space by butting chests together to form a run, or use as standalone pieces. Wardrobes...

SHOP WINDOW - BEDROOMS: Silentnight.
May 13, 2005... 4 Silentnight's Starlight bed is a statement piece with its sweeping curves that combine light and dark wood colours and leather insets are a feature on the headboard. Tel: 08707429900 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW - BEDROOMS: Gautier.
May 13, 2005... This white high-gloss painted bedroom suite from Gautier brings a contemporary look to its range. It includes side tables and a wardrobe with integrated shelving systems. Tel: 0033 147349264 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW - BEDROOMS: Calligaris.
May 13, 2005... This walnut bedroom collection from Calligaris has the characteristic modern, clean-lined looks the company is known for. The walnut bedstead is simply designed, with the added benefit of castor wheels for easy movement. Tel:...

SHOP WINDOW - BEDROOMS: Stag.
May 13, 2005... Inset detailing is the keynote of the Prominence bedroom range from Stag. Sleek handles add a finishing touch to the generous proportions of the storage space. The range is available in two versions - Greco oak and oak with horizontal graining...

STORE MANAGER: Building up loyalty.
May 13, 2005... Selling more to existing customers is easier, and cheaper, than finding and selling to new ones. Clair Ren offers some useful tips on boosting your sales It is important to make customer care a key part of your business strategy. How...

STORAGE - FURNITURE: Hidden agenda.
May 13, 2005... Storage furniture is becoming more stylish and no longer just hides the hi-fi, says Stephanie Baum Storage sells, it helps us create order in our disordered, messy lives. It is the silent salesman that offers added value on almost any...

MOTION - UPHOLSTERY: Part of the action.
May 13, 2005... Demonstrating how motion upholstery works can help make sure the product goes to the right buyer, but sales people need to be sufficiently trained to do so, reports Tom Levitt Demonstrations are a key way for retailers to sell furniture and...

UNDERCOVER - SHOPPER: Finchley Road, north London.
May 13, 2005... Five stores are visited every month to check service. This month we look at: Finchley Road, north London An Act of Parliament in 1826 allowed for the construction of Finchley Road in north west London. Now 179 years later, the route has...

MARKET REVIEW: Sex takes a back seat.(Iron Bed Company )
May 13, 2005... Feather & Black is not capitalising on The Iron Bed Company's sexy image, preferring to offer straightforward information, says Stephanie Baum The Iron Bed Company was an easily recognisable brand, made famous in part by its reputation a...

Employing the personal touch.(interview with Vipan Maini, MD of Singways UK )(Interview)
May 13, 2005... Vipan Maini is Singways UK md How did you get started in the industry? I fell in love with Singways while in Cyprus in 2003 looking at other business opportunities. There is a large ex-pat population there which had really good...

TV is more important than a bed.(consumer preferences)(Brief Article)
May 13, 2005... What is needed most in the home of first-time house buyers - a TV or a bed? A TV, it appears from the results of a survey by Alliance and Leicester. A fifth of people who set up home last year did so without a bed, compared to just 12% who...

DFS ad cleared.(DFS Furniture Co.)(Brief Article)
May 13, 2005... It seems people complain about the slightest thing these days. Seventy people took issue with DFS's TV advertisement showing old sofas abandoned in locations such as a canal, football pitch or motorway bridge, claiming it encouraged...

M&S stock strategy.
May 20, 2005... Marks & Spencer will sell an increasing amount of furniture from stock as part of an aggressive strategy of lowering entry price points. An early example of the policy is a trial run of Julian Bowen's Keeler chair, which will be among the...