Cabinet Maker articles from November 2003

Cabinet Maker archives from November 2003

Recliner sensor breakthrough.(Brief Article)
November 7, 2003... The recliner market is on the verge of a major leap in safety with a system that prevents children getting trapped under the chair as it reclines. Eleksen has developed ElekTex fabric sensors that stop the chair's motor and reverse by 5mm...

Reshuffle follows Relyon md resignation.(managing director, Relyon Group PLC)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2003... Relyon was at the centre of a management shake-up last week after Mike Rayner resigned as md. Ian Topping, former md, has resumed the position and will add this to his duties as group md of parent company Steinhoff UK. Marketing...

COMMENT: Stand and deliver.(postal strike highlights the inefficiency of payment systems)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2003... The postal strike last week almost had some UK businesses grinding to a halt as they waited for cheques and deliveries. We report that small furniture retailers are facing very real worries of financial disaster as delays are affecting...

Furniture sales point upwards in October.(Brief Article)
November 7, 2003... Furniture and floorcoverings retailers saw annual sales volume growth for the first time in six months, according to the CBI Distributive Trades Survey. A balance of +34% of stores said sales were higher than October 2002. This compares...

Growth returns to Harveys.(Brief Article)
November 7, 2003... Harveys is the latest company to experience an upturn in sales over the past few weeks, but it warned the recovery may not be sustained. Like for like sales increased by 4% in the seven weeks to 1 November. This was helped by its revised...

Football tour.(stoves on display at football stadiums)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2003... Retailers have attended previews of ranges for Morris, G Plan, Beautility and Relaxateeze at Manchester United's Old Trafford football stadium and Chelsea's Stamford Bridge ground in the past two weeks. The contemporary ranges will again be on...

Chemical scare.(drums of chemical used in the manufacture of upholstery lost in the North Sea)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2003... It has just been revealed that some 3,600 gallons of a poisonous chemical used in the manufacture of upholstery foam was lost in the North Sea off the coast of Suffolk on 21 October. Eighty drums of a substance called Suprasec 2525, have yet to...

Warp factor.(software firm Scotweave develops program that analyzes fabric)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2003... Borders software firm Scotweave has developed a program that scans fabric, analysing its warp and weft and colours and then downloads the data to a computer. It could be particularly useful for reproducing archive designs that are too fragile...

M&S has high hopes for Lifestore ranges.(Marks & Spencer )(Brief Article)
November 7, 2003... The delay in Marks & Spencer introducing new ranges and a new homewares store format will be worth the wait, according to Roger Holmes, chief executive. The first public demonstration of Vittorio Radice's eight months at the chain in...

Counting the cost of Dane.(Dane Interiors closes)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2003... Administrators are still trying to establish the losses of failed contemporary upholstery retailer and manufacturer Dane Interiors. Insolvency practitioner DTE Leonard Curtis was called in last month after a drop in contract sales hit the...

Open all hours.(John Lewis's Liverpool and Cheadle branches open seven days a week)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2003... John Lewis's Liverpool and Cheadle branches have moved to seven day opening. Christopher Glenn, Liverpool manager, said initial trading on 26 October was `fantastic' and better than expected. `By extending our hours we are joining...

Cussins is top earner.(Sofa Workshop founder)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2003... Sofa Workshop founder Andrew Cussins is the top earner in the furniture industry this year. Cussins received #6m from the sale of the chain to MFI. He displaced the industry's usual top earner Lord Kirkham to be the UK's 125th top earner,...

Shopfloor: Getting (and selling) the benefit of benefits.
November 7, 2003... Why does anyone buy anything? That's a very simple question with an equally simple answer. But isn't it a shame that some so-called salespeople cannot answer it? Answers vary from `because they need it' to `because they want it' and...

Creative thinking for Ikea's Cardiff car park.(Brief Article)
November 7, 2003... Ikea is about to tackle one of the main complaints about shopping at the chain - parking. Its Cardiff store, which was due to open yesterday (6 November) will feature a freeflow 1,200-space car park, allowing shoppers to take trolleys to...

58-page brochure.
November 7, 2003... Bowling's Reproductions has launched a 58-page brochure, illustrating its full collection of Regency style home office, dining, bedroom and occasional furniture in one brochure for the first time. The ranges are available in mahogany or yew...

When the post doesn't come.
November 7, 2003... Many businesses depend on Royal Mail, not only to deliver goods, but funds as well. Mark Lewis looks at the effects of the postal strike on furniture retailers It is good news that Royal Mail staff have gone back to work after the...

SHOP WINDOW: JOQUER.
November 7, 2003... The Escala three-seater sofa makes use of a modular system for flexibility. The woven linen fabric upholstery and the use of cushions give a contemporary look. Contact Joquer on 0034 936373299 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW: RAMM.
November 7, 2003... Originally made for Sir Winston Churchill's Chartwell residence, the loosely drawn Magnolia range is available in linen in six colours and one colour in poplin. Contact Ramm, Son & Crocker on 020 7352 0931 Copyright: CMP Information...

SHOP WINDOW: CAXTON.
November 7, 2003... The Evolution dining range in natural cherry is combined with glass and aluminium finishes. The cabinet has an added feature of diffused glass shelf lighting. Contact Caxton Furniture on 01278 787511 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Undercover in Sutton.
November 7, 2003... Every two weeks Cabinet Maker will send its spies to report on sales techniques in furniture stores. This week's mission was to buy a coffee table with storage MULTIYORK, Grove Road It is like a cruel scene from a movie. The camera...

Retail Intelligence.
November 7, 2003... After the near unanimous sales fall in August, September saw a return of shoppers and orders, suggesting purchases had been deferred rather than abandoned. Some 90% of retailers saw sales rise compared with August and the remainder saw...

PLASTIC CHAIRS: Clearly classic.
November 7, 2003... From polypropylene to translucent polycarbonate,the plastic chair continues to make an impact, reports Mark Lewis Low murmurs turn into a hush loaded with anticipation. The stark black hand ticks achingly towards 12. Bravado drains from the...

The Furniture Show preview - Scandinavia: Northern highlights.
November 7, 2003... In the lead up to The Furniture Show (NEC, Birmingham on 18-21 January) Cabinet Maker will preview what's on offer from overseas firms and UK manufacturers. This week we look at what exhibitors from Scandinavia will be unveiling SKOVBY ...

VALENCIA FURNITURE FAIR: Ole innovation.
November 7, 2003... The best of Spanish design congregated in Valencia, reports Stephanie Baum Although it has been acknowledged that rumours of the death of dark wood furniture have been greatly exaggerated, the Valencia Furniture Fair revealed that the...

VALENCIA FURNITURE FAIR: Salon Nude.(Brief Article)
November 7, 2003... Lledo & Associates which started business last year with a focus on industrial design and interior architecture, showed several designs including the Dida table while its Danona system attempts to tackle the age old storage problem ...

Valencia Furniture Fair: Diego Granese's winning Wave.(Brief Article)
November 7, 2003... Designer Diego Granese developed a pliable lounge chair for his company Frajumar. Called Omda (Wave in English), the striking chaise longue supports the sitter in a graceful S-curve shaped from a single piece of steel with a film of extendable,...

FIRST PERSON - ALAN HOWLETT: Modern ideas are suite.(Biography)
November 7, 2003... ALAN HOWLETT How did you get started in business? I was head-hunted to work in Sweden, where I was working as a computer contractor to help set up a pension savings scheme based on standing orders drawn from bank and post office...

EU/US trade war will hit consumers' wallets.(Brief Article)
November 14, 2003... Retailers selling US-made furniture face price increases of up to 17% next year as part of a trade war between the US and the European Union. Passing on the rises to shoppers is likely to hit sales of US-made products. Unless the US...

Cigarettes seized from furniture containers.(Brief Article)
November 14, 2003... Nine people have been arrested after Customs seized 23 million counterfeit cigarettes hidden in containers of furniture. The cigarettes, believed to have been manufactured in China, were shipped in freight containers to the ports of...

COMMENT: Tariffs won't stop imports.(furniture)(Brief Article)
November 14, 2003... The American Furniture Manufacturers Committee for Legal Trade threw down the gauntlet last week with a petition to impose tariffs on cheap furniture imports from China. Should this be a wake-up call for UK manufacturers? China is a volume...

MFI sales growth does a vanishing act.(MFI Furniture Group Ltd. )(Brief Article)
November 14, 2003... MFI has seen like for like sales growth disappear in recent weeks. While like for like sales in the 24 weeks to 14 June were 5.1% higher, since then things have slowed. After showing signs of a slight fall early in the summer - growth fell...

Broyhill opens UK gallery.
November 14, 2003... US furniture firm Broyhill has opened its first UK gallery-format store in Northern Ireland in a partnership with Hannah and Brown. The store in Lisburn, near Belfast, officially opened yesterday (13 November). Broyhill is the largest...

Ray Offord.(H West Furnishers)(Brief Article)(Obituary)
November 14, 2003... The funeral of Ray Offord, former md of Southend retailer H West Furnishers is due to take place today (14 November) at 10am at Southend Crematorium. He died on 5 November after battling with bowel cancer. He was 79. Offord spent his...

Egan quashes rumours.(Steve Egan)(Brief Article)
November 14, 2003... Steve Egan, Christie-Tyler divisional director, has denied suggestions that Ultra and Wyvern are to be closed. Egan said there was `absolutely no truth' in rumours of closures and the group had no plans to close any subsidiaries. ...

Fraud warning.(credit cards)(Brief Article)
November 14, 2003... Consumers are losing about #800 a minute to credit card fraud. By using information on receipts or statements, some #110m a year is stolen - a rise of a third in the past two years, according to the Association of Payment Clearing Services. ...

Insolvency climbs.(Brief Article)
November 14, 2003... The number of people declared insolvent jumped by 16.9% to 9,094 in England and Wales in the third quarter of the year, adding to concerns that consumers had overstretched personal borrowing. Some 3,398 companies were declared insolvent in the...

Housing slowdown.(Brief Article)
November 14, 2003... House price growth slowed in England and Wales during the end of the summer. Prices rose by 10.6% in the third quarter, according to the Land Registry. The growth compared with 12.5% in the second quarter of 2003 and 20% in the first. ...

Delivery program.(Brief Article)
November 14, 2003... Fitted furniture retailer and manufacturer Hammonds has invested in Paragon Software Systems' routing and scheduling software to improve the efficiency of its 20-strong delivery fleet. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Ocean duo set sail with Dwell.(Aamir Ahmad; Wendy Cufflin)(Brief Article)
November 14, 2003... Aamir Ahmad, the founder of mail order and retail group Ocean and Wendy Cufflin, its former buying director, have returned to the sector with the launch of Dwell a year after Ahmad sold Ocean. The mail order operation is aimed at time...

More control sees Reid double profits.(Reid Furniture )(Brief Article)
November 14, 2003... Reid Furniture more than doubled pre-tax profits last year, boosted by taking full control of its Irish operation. Pre-tax profits increased from #1m to #2.21m as sales leapt by 23.9% to #57m. Like for like sales rose by 5.2%, according to...

Updated delivery fleet.(Park Furnishers )(Brief Article)
November 14, 2003... Bristol retailer Park Furnishers has updated its delivery fleet with three Mercedes vans as it launches a carpet and upholstery cleaning service. Bob Brooks, transport manager said that the Mercedes marque fitted with the store's image. ...

Levine's lucky seven.(Levine Brothers )(Brief Article)
November 14, 2003... Midlands chain Levine Brothers is investing #3m in its seventh store. The 22,000sqft freehold branch will open in Tyseley, Birmingham at the end of December. Philip Levine, md, said the company had taken advantage of the site's...

DFS directors score a double.(Brief Article)
November 14, 2003... DFS directors shared a double digit pay increase this year after increasing pre-tax profits by 5.2% to #56.4m. Lord Kirkham, executive chairman got a 13% increase to #433,000, resulting in an overall rise of 16.3% to #477,000 (excluding...

City: Backlash hits retailers as MFI takes a fall.(Brief Article)
November 14, 2003... Support from analysts at DeutscheBank helped MFI recover half of a 20p (14%) loss after warning that hot weather had seriously affected sales in the second half of the financial year. In the first six months, like- for like growth at MFI was a...

Share Update on 10 November 2003.(Brief Article)(Illustration)
November 14, 2003... Share Update on 10 November 2003 Bold=new High/Low Now Change Change 2003 2003 over since High Low 2 weeks 1 Jan Retailers Beale...

Getting down to the nitty gritty.(Urban Interiors show )(Brief Article)
November 14, 2003... Furniture retailers such as Charles Page, Chaplins, Harmer and Livingspace used the Urban Interiors show to promote their brands and cast a spotlight on designers working with their stores. The London event, held from 7-9 November,...

Letter: Customer service is failing.(furniture industry)
November 14, 2003... The Association of Master Upholsterers and Soft Furnishers is receiving an increasing number of complaints from members about the poor levels of customer service in some of our most well known wholesale supply companies. The number of...

Letter: Help on the effects of imports.(Letter to the Editor)
November 14, 2003... I am a student from Leeds Metropolitan University and am currently undertaking research for my business and marketing dissertation on the effect of imports on the UK Furniture industry. I will also be investigating why UK manufacturers are...

US building trade walls against China?
November 14, 2003... US manufacturers are standing up to the onslaught of Chinese imports with the setting up of a trade committee and talks of tarriffs, reports Andrew Kidd Chinese furniture firms could turn to focus even more on the UK if US complaints by...

Giving, but little taking.(furniture trade)(Brief Article)
November 14, 2003... China is the largest exporter of furniture to the US. Between January and June this year, the US imported #2.18bn of Chinese furniture - an increase of 28% on 2002. Chinese-made furniture accounts for 46% of all US furniture imports and is...

SHOP WINDOW: MUIRHEAD.
November 14, 2003... Pink is the new season's colour. As well as offering seven leather collections of more than 100 shades, textures and finishes, Muirhead also produces bespoke matching like this fluorescent pink. Contact Andrew Muirhead on 0141 5543724 ...

SHOP WINDOW: OKEN.
November 14, 2003... The Binari chair from Oken is a new concept in healthy seating, designed to discourage male infertility and sustains the body's natural posture while seated. Contact Oken on 01282 615426 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW: PACO CAPDELL.
November 14, 2003... The Tiffany range is a selection of armchairs and small sofas with contemporary designs that can be put together to make the most of small spaces. Contact Paco Capdell on 0034 96150 2950 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW: IGOE.
November 14, 2003... Igoe has introduced a new sale line called Ibiza in light oak with a silver trim. The range is designed to be used together to create a semi- fitted look. Contact Igoe Furniture on 01992 655600 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Store manager - security: Close windows of opportunity.(furniture stores)
November 14, 2003... Go back to basics when it comes to store security, says David Lingham The problem I'm concerned about security in my shop. What can I do to cut down on the risks? Expert advice It is too easy for management to concentrate all...

COLOUR TRENDS: Tempting the palettes.
November 14, 2003... Stephanie Baum joined the experts at the High Point colour seminar which revealed the trends the industry will be following in 2004-2005 Although UK retailing has a tradition of taking its cues from the US, when it comes to fashion trends...

US RETAILING: Brand new service.(Brief Article)
November 14, 2003... Stephanie Baum visits her home town, Philadelphia, to find that service isn't necessarily with a smile, but the store is likely to have a good marketing approach If you lived in suburban Philadelphia it used to be that if you wanted...

US RETAILING: Pushiness kills the rapport.(Somnia Furniture)(Brief Article)
November 14, 2003... Store: Somnia Furniture Location: Manayunk Size: five locations throughout the Delaware Valley, the family business employs more than 60 people and has more than 60,000sqft of retail showroom Style of furniture: traditional to...

US RETAILING: Soulless sales.(Brief Article)
November 14, 2003... Store: Storehouse Furniture Location: Bryn Mawr Size: a national chain with more than 60 stores stretching down the eastern seaboard across to the south and midwest Manufacturers: not disclosed Style of furniture: they say...

US RETAILING: Contemporary charm.(Cosmopolitan Home furniture store)(Brief Article)
November 14, 2003... Store: Cosmopolitan Home Location: Manayunk Size: an independent store powered by a retail website Style of furniture: contemporary Manufacturers: not disclosed Mission statement: none Website:...

US RETAILING: Home-made lifestyles.(furniture stores)(Brief Article)
November 14, 2003... Store: Pompanoosuc Mills Location: Main Street, Manayunk Size: 11 stores with a focus on New England but also with a presence in New York City and Philadelphia Style of furniture: classic Manufacturers: all furniture is...

HIGH POINT: Worlds of inspiration.(High Point International Home Furnishings Market )
November 14, 2003... Traditional meets contemporary, glamour, and marketing magic, were all at the autumn High Point, reports Stephanie Baum October's High Point International Home Furnishings Market was dominated by increasingly slick marketing campaigns by...

FIRST PERSON - GARVAN DE BRUIR: Going for the ultimate.(Biography)
November 14, 2003... GARVAN DE BRUIR How did you get started in business? I did work experience with Philip Koomen Furniture in Checkendon, then after I graduated I returned for more work experience and never left. Who do you most admire in the...

Snap happy furniture.(Brief Article)
November 21, 2003... Consumers will be able to personalise furniture with their own photographs thanks to tie up between fitted bedroom and home office furniture manufacturer Hammonds and printing giant Agfa. After a year of research they have developed Photo...

Malvenan puts Egan in charge of Pendragon.(Scott Malvenan; Steve Egan;)(Brief Article)
November 21, 2003... Scott Malvenan, Christie-Tyler chief executive has replaced John Homan as divisional director, making his first major impact on the group since being appointed seven weeks ago. Homan, who was in charge of Pendragon and Contour, left last...

COMMENT: Look back and learn.(year end review)(Brief Article)
November 21, 2003... The next few weeks are likely to be quieter for retailers as shoppers focus on Christmas presents and seasonal parties. As the deadline for pre-Christmas delivery passes and thoughts begin to turn towards the winter sale and 2004, spare a...

Royal Oak grows into higher production.(Royal Oak Furniture Company )(Brief Article)
November 21, 2003... The Royal Oak Furniture Company has invested #175,000 in expanding its premises by 25% and installing more efficient machinery to boost production to keep up with demand. Sales are up 10% on last year and the investment should allow it to...

Letter: No PBDEs in foam.(poly-brominated diphenyl ethers )(Letter to the Editor)
November 21, 2003... I am writing on behalf of the interests of the UK manufacturers of polyurethane flexible foam. We were very surprised to read the statement on the findings of the scientists at Lancaster University about `the effects of poly-brominated diphenyl...

Letter: A knight too late.(Letter to the Editor)
November 21, 2003... I note with interest the remarks made by Sir Terence Conran about the decor of Buckingham Palace (cm, 24 Oct, p31). If perhaps, at the time of his knighthood he had expressed his opinion about the dreary and second rate furnishings,...

Home slowdown.(Brief Article)
November 21, 2003... Growth in housing prices in England and Wales may be ending. Asking prices fell by 0.1% in November, compared with a 3.3% rise in October, claims the 4,000 estate agents on property website Rightmove. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

MFI share deals.(Brief Article)
November 21, 2003... Gordon MacDonald, MFI chief operating officer has increased his shareholding in the chain by 31% to 250,000 shares after buying 59,000 for #89,000. John Hancock, chief executive invested #37,375 boosting his shareholding by 3% to 796,000...

Triple effect as three firms get new bosses.(Brief Article)
November 21, 2003... Three of the largest firms in the retail, beds and furnishings sectors have new bosses. Habitat has reshuffled its UK management, with Richard Millar, UK country manager and head of marketing, leaving at the end of next month. Mark...

CBI warns red tape is deterring UK investment.(Brief Article)
November 21, 2003... The Government has been warned that the business sector is losing patience with it as the UK becomes a less attractive place to invest. A CBI survey of 250 top companies found that 70% thought UK investment attractiveness had fallen since...

Annual furniture retail price inflation static.(Brief Article)
November 21, 2003... Lower special offers than a year ago kept annual furniture retail price inflation static at 2% in October, according to National Statistics. Discounts on beds were highlighted as being lower. Furnishing inflation fell from 3% to 2%. Overall...

To Russia with love.(furniture exports; Wade Upholstery, Theodore Alexander, Sanderson,John Wilman, Bevan Funnell)(Brief Article)
November 21, 2003... UK firms are likely to receive an export boost after the opening of a UK furniture showroom in Russia. The 2,150sqft unit in Ekaterinburg has been styled to resemble traditional UK rooms. Wade Upholstery, Theodore Alexander, Sanderson,...

Contemporary bug.(beds)(Brief Article)
November 21, 2003... Sealy caught the contemporary bug, adding three upholstered models to its offering at the At Home. Vogue has a sprung base, while Chic and the almost traditional Classic have platform bases. There's a choice of three headboards, feet and colour...

Seeing the light with Options.(furniture design)(Brief Article)
November 21, 2003... Homeworthy also proved it could innovate with a production model of the Lumino concept bed unveiled in August. Now renamed Options and expanded under the Sleepworthy brand, the success of the concept has led the firm to commit itself to...

Layezee and Perfecta get #5.5m boost.(Brief Article)
November 21, 2003... Some #5.5m is to be invested at Layezee Beds and Perfecta in the next 18 months in an effort to place the two firms at the top of the entry to middle sector of the bed market. Details of the funding were revealed at the Silentnight Holdings...

Consumers get what they want.(bed design)(Brief Article)
November 21, 2003... Extensive consumer research was the basis for Hibernate, Silentnight Beds' latest brand, officially previewed ahead of its launch at The Furniture Show. It was unveiled as a concept in August. The research found bed firms were not giving...

Claiming an industry first.
November 21, 2003... While the number of firms offering upholstered beds continues to grow, Rest Assured sought to differentiate itself by claiming an industry first with a fully upholstered range: Eloquence. The three model range offers a choice of three spring...

Sixties revival.(furniture)(Brief Article)
November 21, 2003... Parker Knoll offered a glimpse of a return to the past with 1960's themed models at the At Home. Eight sofas and four chairs will be unveiled at The Furniture Show, including a modular sofa range with chrome feet, club chairs in leather...

Unveiling the essence of emerging trends.(furniture)(Brief Article)
November 21, 2003... Romance, jubilation and essence will be the key trends influencing products in 2004/2005, a series of seminars and demonstrations at The Spring Fair from 1-5 February will show. The free seminars, hosted by forecaster Carlin International,...

Derwent has something to shout about.(Brief Article)
November 21, 2003... Derwent is to add to its contemporary Mezzanine collection when it returns to The Furniture Show after a three-year absence. The Tokyo, Havana and Copenhagen collections were previewed earlier in the autumn and a fourth will be added in...

SHOP WINDOW: SPRINGWELL.
November 21, 2003... Springwell has produced a collection of water-resistant Parapan high gloss acrylic doors for the kitchen and bathroom in 21 colours. Contact Springwell Manufacturing on 0113 201 2240 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.