Cabinet Maker articles from November 2002

Cabinet Maker archives from November 2002

Trio face #60m VAT bills.
November 8, 2002... Homestyle, Courts and MFI are confident they will not have to pay tens of millions of pounds to Customs & Excise in a row over VAT and product guarantees. Customs has queried the practice of charging 5% insurance tax on structural...

COMMENT: Re-inventing the wheel.
November 8, 2002... MFI chief executive John Hancock commented in this week's issue that the acquisition of Sofa Workshop by MFI would be a significant development opportunity for the business (see p2). However, years ago, previous management threw out...

MFI settles on sofa relaunch.
November 8, 2002... MFI ended months of industry speculation this week when it confirmed it had bought upholstery chain Sofa Workshop for up to #12.25m. Founder Andrew Cussins will remain at the chain as a consultant for two years. Other members of the...

Bernstein slices into kitchen jobs.
November 8, 2002... Fitted kitchen group Bernstein is to axe up to 320 of its 725 staff over the next year. Md Tony Fox said the move was the final stage of its move to focus on core high street and contract customers. The redundancies were necessary to...

M&S turns up the volume.
November 8, 2002... Marks & Spencer saw sales of homewares, including furniture, rise by 10% in the past six months. Growth was much stronger in the quarter to 26 September with sales up 15.1%. Sales in the previous quarter rose by 5.9%. The chain...

Upholsterer stays seated.
November 8, 2002... Halesowen firm Ian Walker Upholstery was still trading as Cabinet Maker went to press, despite going into administration last week. Joint administrators Andrew Menzies and Neil Tombs of accountant Grant Thornton were unavailable for...

Business backing.
November 8, 2002... The DTI has contributed #15m to a #50m fund designed to promote new businesses in London. Firms could receive initial backing of up to #250,000. Visit: www.capitalfund.co.uk. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Sales training.
November 8, 2002... Mystery shopping firm Amber Arch has launched a sales training service. Business Link grants are available for 40% of the training costs. Tel: 0191 492 2020. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Express delivery.
November 8, 2002... Office furniture group Steelcase has introduced a 12 day delivery service for its most popular ranges. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Company failures.
November 8, 2002... The number of corporate failures in England and Wales rose by 5.2% in the third quarter of the year, to 3,873. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Paris shake-up.
November 8, 2002... The organiser of Salon du Meuble has reorganised the Paris show. Classic Furniture will now be in hall 7.1, Metropole in hall 7.2 and Paris Selection Deco, French Line, The Village and Decoration Internationale will take place in hall 7.3. The...

Co-op management.
November 8, 2002... Plymouth & South West Co-operative is to install the Reflex software programme in its eight non-food stores to handle purchasing, merchandising and sales support. It will be introduced at its Derrys flagship store in Plymouth before being...

Quality pays off at Kingdom of Leather.
November 8, 2002... Improved products, merchandising and instore displays helped Kingdom of Leather lift sales by 13.2% in the three months to 30 September. Executive chairman Peter Dickson said the rise was driven by better quality products and upping prices...

Leather in abundance.
November 8, 2002... Leather was in abundance at the Brussels International Furniture Fair this week (3-6 November), including the Carlo Santi designed Nikita for Durlet. Its thin metal feet attracted much attention. A review of the show will appear in the 29...

Dreams business for Payne.
November 8, 2002... Allied Carpets' bed buyer Phil Payne has joined Dreams as new business controller. Dreams md Mike Clare said Payne, who took up the post on 4 November, would handle a variety of projects as the chain seeks to develop sales outside its core...

Homestyle sees sales slowdown.
November 8, 2002... Harveys and Bensons Beds group Homestyle has warned of a slowdown in sales with lower growth in the past two months. Group like for like sales grew by 2% in the eight weeks to 28 October. This is set against 11% in the six months to 31...

Nono brochure.
November 8, 2002... Fabric firm Nono has released its latest brochure, which features the Precious and Spirit collections. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Court decides Danish rival pine design rights.
November 8, 2002... A Danish court has rejected an attempt by pine company Kjellbergs to halt trading by rival Steens. The injunction listed 17 claims against Steens, among them that it had tried to steal Kjellbergs' customers, and copied its designs and...

Ducal sets out to impress.
November 8, 2002... Ducal has revamped its Andover showroom with three roomsets created by House Beautiful stylist Denise Brock. A bedroom display shows the New Riverdale range, the living room Tuscany and the dining room Hampshire. These will be on display...

Buying into co-operation.
November 8, 2002... Colchester and East Sussex Co-operative Society is to join the Co- operative Retail Trading Group (CRTG). Its eight non-food stores, including an 40,000sqft department store in Colchester, brings the number of stores in the non-food arm of...

Silentnight wakes up to trading losses.
November 8, 2002... A double digit fall in cabinet and upholstery sales during the spring and summer was the main reason behind Bill Simpson's departure at Silentnight Holdings last month. Sales at Parker Knoll, Ducal and Silentnight Furniture plummeted by...

Fabrics sew up JLP results.
November 8, 2002... Department store chain John Lewis increased sales by 5% in the past quarter. Turnover was not disclosed, but the chain said it forecast an increase of 6.6% for the half year. Commenting on recent trading, department store director of...

Burbidge and Son website.
November 8, 2002... Kitchen accessories and frontals manufacturer Burbidge & Son has added a password accessed section to its website to assist stockists with designing, planning and fitting. The website provides full product descriptions with photography, sizes...

Bed ad ban moves rejected.
November 8, 2002... Complaints that The Iron Bed Company's consumer advertising is offensive have been rejected by the Advertising Standards Authority. Consumers complained about an advertisement that featured a blurred image of a naked couple on a bed with...

Retailers face manufacturer e-commerce resistance.
November 8, 2002... Retailers want small and medium sized manufacturers to switch to online order processing, but only 2% of them have the technology to do this. Two thirds of firms said they were under pressure to process order electronically but 35% said...

SHOP WINDOW: SPRATTS.
November 8, 2002... Reflecting on ornate style, the Louis XV oval mirror is made of quality glass with hand bevelled edges in gold for a dramatic impact of classical luxury. Here it is shown in Provence fennel and gold. All mirrors are available in a choice of...

SHOP WINDOW: PACO CAPDELL.
November 8, 2002... The new Bats stool stands out for its contemporary design, curved lines and bright polypropylene seats. Also available with arms, the stool is most suited to contemporary kitchens and living rooms. Contact Paco Capdell on +34 961 502950 ...

SHOP WINDOW: NOMADIC.
November 8, 2002... Furniture outlets are already placing orders on this Milan 6ft dining table, manufactured from top grade Chinese oak with a clear, non-sheen matt lacquer finish. The range also includes a chair, coffee table, dresser base, bookcase and low TV...

SHOP WINDOW: HENTSCHEL CLOCKS.
November 8, 2002... The Steinway model 5030 longcase clock has been designed by Hentschel Clocks as a limited edition of 150 clocks to celebrate 150 years of Steinway pianos. Each clock comes with a certificate of authenticity with the clock's number engraved on...

SHOP WINDOW: GRADUS.
November 8, 2002... Trevira CS collection's Fanfare has drawn its influence from classical seasonal tones together with contemporary designs. Combining plains with texture, the range coordinates, yet contrasts, and allows for options for any number of interior...

SHOP WINDOW: LIMELIGHT.
November 8, 2002... A rustic pine finish combines with good symmetry and a sense of solidity in the Terran bed - a look in keeping with both modern shaker style or traditional styles. Contact Limelight Beds on 01455 850150 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Hours by arrangement.
November 8, 2002... Next year parents will be able to ask for flexible working hours. Mary Walsh and Jonathan Exten-Wright explain the implications for employers and employees A small furnishing retailer employs three staff. One of them, Bill, has a young...

Testament of youth.
November 8, 2002... This year's 100% Design exhibition put a special emphasis on young talent while broadening the show's content. Stephanie Baum reports Young designers were out in force at 100% Design 2002 as the exhibition made a push to spotlight budding...

SHOW REVIEW: UPHOLSTERY.
November 8, 2002... Modular, multifunctional, clean lined sofas were the prevailing trends as designers sought to make them a more integral part of the room environment. Attic 2 unveiled the compact modular Fodca sofa and chair. It also added a retro wrinkle...

SHOW REVIEW: LIGHTING.
November 8, 2002... Innovation with a capital I was the story in the lighting sector of the exhibition as designers sought to outdo each other with imaginative designs and concepts. Mathmos introduced its Mathmos Mobile range of handheld, portable lights with...

SHOW REVIEW: CABINET.
November 8, 2002... The modular theme evident in upholstery was carried into cabinets with an eye to contemporary furniture's favourite pastime - space-saving solutions. Metal, wood and glass, often integrated, were the materials of choice. Shelving...

SHOW REVIEW: 100% DESIGN EVENTS.
November 8, 2002... As usual, there was much more to 100% Design than the main exhibition. As well as awards, there were showroom open houses and bus tours, along with smaller exhibitions. Blueprint Design Awards this year went to lighting and furniture...

SHOW REVIEW: KITCHENS.
November 8, 2002... Although there were only 10 kitchen manufacturers at the exhibition, their stands were large enough to make their presence felt. Much of their content was aimed at the loft lifestyle or contract market. Their presence, along with bathroom, tile...

Healthy returns.
November 8, 2002... Zero VAT and a growing appeal to the younger market is helping sales of specialist beds, reports Cabinet Maker How to make a product more attractive to a wider consumer market is a challenge for manufacturers and retailers alike. Adjustable...

20% of Dunlopillo's sales are adjustable.
November 8, 2002... Some 20% of Dunlopillo's sales are adjustable. Having helped pioneer the sector's development in the 1980s, the bed manufacturer's marketing manager Simon Williams says the use of latex mattresses has been key to this and helped Dunlopillo to...

ADJUSTABLE AND SPECIALIST BEDS: Technological developments.
November 8, 2002... Jessica Alexander, The Sleep Council consultant, says technological developments are improving the aesthetics of adjustable beds. `They have quieter mechanisms, better controls, and increased variation on adjustability. There are more beds...

Simple pleasures.
November 8, 2002... Promosedia is the world's only exhibition dedicated to seating. Richard de Melim reports from Italy on trends at the 26th annual show For many people, visiting north east Italy means sitting in a gondola in Venice eating gelato. But for...

MANUFACTURING: Show confidence.
November 8, 2002... The biennial treat for British woodworkers and furniture manufacturers is here again, and what a show it promises to be. With Woodmex taking additional space and ASFI attracting nearly 300 exhibitors, there is much to hold the attention at the...

MANUFACTURING: Hall of fame.
November 8, 2002... This year's Woodmex Exhibition, from 17-20 November at Birmingham's NEC, promises to be the best ever, with more than 200 exhibitors requiring an extension to its home in Hall 5 to around 15,000sqm STRIP SHOW Sheffield-based abrasive...

MANUFACTURING: Regulations explained.
November 8, 2002... Visitors can get up to speed on current and impending woodworking machinery regulations at a seminar by the Woodworking Machinery Suppliers Association (WMSA) which will run twice on Sunday 17 November. The 45 minute presentation by Keith...

MANUFACTURING: Fighting fit.
November 8, 2002... Around 300 exhibitors are gathering for the ASFI (Association of Suppliers for the Furniture Industry) show which takes place in Hall 4 at the NEC in Birmingham from 17-20 November. Tony Hollyer previews the exhibitors MAKING THE GRADE ...

MANUFACTURING: Solid growth.
November 8, 2002... With the many options available today, does real timber have the same appeal? Tony Hollyer visits one major supplier Walking through the 4ha site at International Timber's Manchester headquarters with commercial manager Tony Miles is an...

MANUFACTURING: Changes in store.
November 8, 2002... Major improvements in storage efficiency can be gained by choosing the right lifting equipment Maximum use of storage space in its 30,000sqft Hemel Hempstead distribution centre was essential to timber and board supplier James Latham, due...

MANUFACTURING: Hand in hand with heritage.
November 8, 2002... While the emphasis is on craftsmanship, the workshop continuing the Arts and Crafts tradition is not averse to a little help from modern handheld tools Steeped in heritage, the Edward Barnsley Workshop has had a profound effect on British...

MANUFACTURING: Panel power.
November 8, 2002... Smaller batches and almost instant re-setting are just two benefits now transforming production at Kingstown Furniture Every 20 seconds a new panel, drilled, dowelled and with all the fittings inserted, comes off the REM production system...

MANUFACTURING: UV or not UV.
November 8, 2002... The use of ultra-violet curable coatings in the furniture industry provides numerous benefits. But are they competitive? Morrells Woodfinishes presents the case Over the past 10 to 15 years, solvent based stains, sealers and topcoats have...

MANUFACTURING: Cracking the export nut.
November 8, 2002... The Brazilian furniture industry continues to expand as Tony Hollyer found on a recent visit Each year the Brazilian furniture industry breaks its own records for exports, often growing by around 30-50% year on year. The USA is number one...

MANUFACTURING: Ethical audit.
November 8, 2002... Common standards are being sought on working conditions round the world Recent experiences in the footwear and clothing retail markets in the UK and USA show the significant damage to sales if retailers are unable to demonstrate that...

MANUFACTURING: UK gets tougher on solvents with new coating rules.
November 8, 2002... The UK furniture manufacturers involved in wood finishing processes will soon face tighter limits on solvent emissions and fewer ways on meeting them, warns Becker Acroma technical director Brian Loye. The revision of the existing guidance...

MANUFACTURING: Hafele system.
November 8, 2002... Interior fittings and components specialist Hafele's Hawa Aperto system is designed for hanging lighter weight stackable sliding doors or partition panels. It can accommodate wooden partition doors up to 40kg and up to 30mm thickness, suspended...

MANUFACTURING: Digital meters get the measure of moisture.
November 8, 2002... A range of handheld digital moisture meters for the timber industry unveiled by Wagner Electronics are said to be more accurate and reliable than traditional resistance meters and up to three times more accurate than other handheld capacitance...

MANUFACTURING: Software sharpens blade production.
November 8, 2002... Redditch based saw grinding equipment manufacturer Walter GB says saw tooth production is up to 30% faster on its new Woodtronic Rapide circular saw blade grinders, due to developments on control software. Set up times are also reduced by...

MANUFACTURING: Automation sweeps up the IWF Awards innovation.
November 8, 2002... Innovative technology in products, services or manufacturing techniques was rewarded by Challengers Distinguished Achievement Awards at the IWF machinery fair in Atlanta, USA. Among the seven winners from 21 finalists, was an automated...

MANUFACTURING: Factory lift makes light of loading.
November 8, 2002... Paramount Loading Systems of Retford has launched a range of Romadek lifts for unloading containers and trailers. In conjunction with fork trucks, the Romadek provides a secure working platform for furniture which has to be manually...

MANUFACTURING: Custom comfort.
November 8, 2002... Superior adjustability and custom fit is claimed for Speed Plastic's health and comfort seating systems. A combination of gel pad technology and air filled inflatables ensure lumbar support, and are more sympathetic and comfortable to the human...

MANUFACTURING: Careers CD-rom aims to inspire.
November 8, 2002... FFINTO has embarked on a new project to address the difficulty of recruiting young people into the furniture, fittings and interiors industry. Funded by the DTI, the project will produce a CD-rom, targeted at year 9 and 11 pupils to...

MANUFACTURING: Coordinated edging efforts.
November 8, 2002... An updated and extended 2002 Co-ordinated Components Options guide has been published by wood based panel products specialist Egger UK which will enable furniture manufacturers to match decorative melamine faced panels with complementary...

MANUFACTURING: Motorised recliners move up the market.
November 8, 2002... With a growing market among senior citizens for specialist recliner chairs, Nottingham upholstery manufacturer Rise & Recline is targeting a range of products specially at the mobility and healthcare markets. Director Terry Johnston says,...

MANUFACTURING: Mattresses spring to new production targets.
November 8, 2002... President of the National Bed Federation and Vi-Spring md, Trevor Lay, opened the new 27,000sqft production facility of MPT (Mattress Production Technology) in September. The company provides automated and standalone machinery for the...

New home for Bendelow.
November 15, 2002... Marks & Spencer has recruited Heal's buying director Sally Bendelow to the new role of head of creative for home. Before Heal's, she was head of home buying at Debenhams and buying director for Next Interiors. The two chains have yet...

Ian Walker ends as a leather fashion victim.
November 15, 2002... A swing in consumer tastes from fabric to leather suites and the high level of cheap imports has been blamed for the closure of Ian Walker Furniture. The firm was closed on 8 November, just a week after being placed in administration. ...

Charnwood orders.
November 15, 2002... Independent Charnwood stockists have until the end of this month to place orders, before the manufacturer stops supplying them. It is to switch production and focus on the multiple sector, a move which it described as more economical. Charnwood...

COMMENT: Compare and contrast.
November 15, 2002... The demise of Ian Walker Furniture is yet another nail in the coffin of UK furniture manufacturing. As we've said many times, firms are finding it increasingly difficult to compete unless they offer something different. Without this,...

Closures spell end of a Dream.
November 15, 2002... Liquidators are examining offers for the stores previously run by Dreams' East Anglian franchisee. Quicknet, run by John Douglas, had stores at Cambridge, Peterborough and Bury St Edmunds. All three are closed. The Cambridge store had...

Discounts tuck in inflation.
November 15, 2002... Larger discounts from multiples, especially on bedroom furniture, contributed to cutting annual furniture retail price inflation to 1% in October. National Statistics said the reduction, down from 2% in September, was also helped by no...

Blind date at small business award.
November 15, 2002... Blinds retailer Solar Sunshades has been named one of the country's top small businesses. The company was one of seven finalists in the British Small Business Champion awards last week. Companies had to demonstrate sales growth, high...

ACID success.
November 15, 2002... After only six years, intellectual property group Anti Copying in Design (ACID) has reached a base of 1,000 member companies. New signings include lava lamp designer Mathmos, and Fridgeplay, designer of a magnetic fridge game. Tel: 01531 650...

Customer service.
November 15, 2002... Retail credit company Open + Direct has had its customer service levels re-accredited to the revised BSEN ISO9002 standard, 15 months ahead of schedule. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Safety seminars.
November 15, 2002... SATRA is to hold a series of seminars covering fire safety on beds and upholstery next year. Courses will be held on 12 February, 12 March, 16 April, 14 May, 11 June, 16 July, 10 September and 8 October. The cost is #150. Tel: 01536 410 000....

Component takeover.
November 15, 2002... Peter Cook International has acquired fellow component supplier Townsend Associates. Townsend's London sales team will transfer to the PCI offices in Carterton. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Credit move.
November 15, 2002... DFS is to roll out its use of Nova Retail Finance's online credit authorisation system. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Showroom aims to Connect stockists.
November 15, 2002... Connect by John Foreman is to open a 2,000sqft showroom early next month to handle the UKsales for four overseas companies. Set up by former Dico UK md, John Foreman, the firm is due to be officially launched in January. The permanent...

Furniture dip bucks retail sales trend.
November 15, 2002... Furniture and flooring retailers experienced a poor month in October. A balance of 1% of retailers saw sales volumes fall, compared with 2001, according to the CBI Distributive Trades Survey. The decline in sales is the first since...

Cabinet reshuffle.
November 15, 2002... Silentnight Holdings has restructured the management of its cabinet businesses. Chief executive Nino Allenza has decided to work directly with the mds of Ducal and Parker Knoll - Yvonne Mavin and Mark Taylor, respectively. This has...

67 not out.
November 15, 2002... Durham Pine was due to open its 67th store this week, in Telford. The new outlet will be the chain's sixth in as many weeks, clocking up a unit in Norwich and franchise stores in Maidstone, Birkenhead, Inverness and Colwyn Bay. * The...

Buoyant Upholstery - Appointment.
November 15, 2002... Buoyant Upholstery has promoted Mike Aramayo to sales director. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Kingstown Furniture - Appointment.
November 15, 2002... Nick Hutchinson has become Yorkshire and North East sales agent for Kingstown Furniture. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Valspar Industries UK - Appointment.
November 15, 2002... Valspar Industries UK has named Craig Henthron as sales and marketing director. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Sealy - Appointment.
November 15, 2002... Sealy has recruited Silentnight Furniture finance director Chris Roberts as finance director. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.