Cabinet Maker articles from October 2003

Cabinet Maker archives from October 2003

Furniture reaches new levels at LA.(Laura Ashley)
October 3, 2003... Furniture will receive a boost at Laura Ashley next year with more prominent sales positions in 50 branches. The move follows a trial in which furniture and other homewares were moved from upper floors to the ground floor or from the rear...

COMMENT: No delivery for me, thank you.
October 3, 2003... Alison Gay An independent retailer from the North made a compelling point in response to my comments about direct home delivery last week. He came back at me for suggesting that direct home delivery might be one less headache for the...

Congestion concerns at new Ikea sites.
October 3, 2003... Already blamed for the collapse of British manufacturing, now Ikea is being fingered for gridlocking roads. The proposed opening of its Cardiff store on 6 November will coincide with the first day of the Wales Rally, while a proposed...

Vono rejuvenates factory.
October 3, 2003... Work is under way to convert a dilapidated curtain factory in Wolverhampton into an 18,000sqft showroom for Vono Beds. The factory, which had become a target for vandals, will be demolished and replaced with a purpose built showroom. The...

Holtkamp Furniture becomes agent.(Geha-Mobel)
October 3, 2003... Holtkamp Furniture has become the UK and Republic of Ireland agent for fellow Germans, Geha-Mobel. Previously a distributor for its own products only, the deal will add bedroom furniture to Holtkamp's lounge, dining and home office offerings....

New venue.
October 3, 2003... Buying group Minerva is to hold its relocated exhibition at Wolverhampton Race Course on 9 October, after fire damaged the original venue, The National Motorcycle Museum. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Pay rise.
October 3, 2003... The national minimum wage rose by 30p to #4.50 an hour for over 21s on 1 October. The 18-21 year olds rate climbed to #3.80, up from #3.60. Some 1.3 million workers will benefit from the increases. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

To Russia with love.(Norfolk Chamber of Commerce)
October 3, 2003... The Norfolk Chamber of Commerce is holding an international trade briefing on Russia on 9 October at Norwich City College. It aims to open up opportunities for Norfolk business. Trade Partners UK identified furniture as a good sector to target...

More change at C-T as Hampton resigns.(Christie-Tyler)
October 3, 2003... Stephen Hampton has resigned from Christie-Tyler after only three months as chief executive. Succeeding him is Scott Malvenan, previously a director at Courtaulds Textiles and in charge of the clothing and legwear division at Sara Lee. ...

Disappointing second quarter sales.
October 3, 2003... Retailers have felt it for months, but finally there is proof that the second quarter was disappointing. Figures from National Statistics show that the value of the furniture and furnishings market fell by 1.3% between April to July. The...

New values.
October 3, 2003... The revised figures from National Statistics have seen changes to the annual value of sales for the furniture and furnishings, household textiles and floorcoverings markets. Between 1999 and 2002, the furniture and furnishings market grew...

City: Analysts' concern prompts Kingfisher dip.(Brief Article)
October 3, 2003... Kingfisher lost 4p despite better than expected first half profits. Analysts had assumed the hot weather would affect B&Q's third quarter sales, but they were disappointed at the planned reduction in Warehouse openings and concerned about...

Share Update on 29 September 2003.(Illustration)
October 3, 2003... Share Update on 29 September 2003 Bold=new High/Low Now Change Change 2003 2003 over since High Low 2 weeks 1 Jan Retailers Beale...

Stores must gear up for the disabled.
October 3, 2003... After nine years leeway to prepare for the Disability Discrimination Act, retailers are now being coerced through the Open 4 All campaign to ensure stores tackle the problem of disabled access. If retailers are not compliant in 12 months' time,...

Intel wireless chair.
October 3, 2003... The Intel wireless chair was designed by Design Studio - graduates from the Central St Martin's College of Art and Design - and produced by Capellini. It uses Internet connection cables to reflect the changes in technology. Copyright: CMP...

High tech Gubi takes top seat.
October 3, 2003... The Gubi chair, designed by Danish company Gubi International, was hailed as the best product at last week's 100% Design/Blueprint awards. The awards recognise talent in upholstery, cabinet and lighting designs. The judges, including...

BodyWave looking for a partner.
October 3, 2003... Ergonomic upholstery manufacturer BodyWave is looking for a partner to help develop the potential of its range of products. `We're finding ourselves a bit small to be doing something this new on our own,' said Nigel Robertson, md. `We're...

Letter: An agent's choice.(Letter to the Editor)
October 3, 2003... The value of agents to both foreign suppliers and UK customers is clear (cm, 12 Sep, p18). The role played by experienced, knowledgeable agents can make all the difference to an overseas brand in obtaining success in the UK market. ...

Highgate Beds fined for headboard breach.
October 3, 2003... Highgate Beds has been fined #3,000 plus #250 costs after one of its headboards breached the flammability regulations. Eastbourne magistrates imposed the fines after the West Yorkshire firm pleaded guilty to three charges - that the...

Launch pad for Ashley Manor.
October 3, 2003... After 10 years in the upholstery business, Ashley Manor Upholstery has opened the doors to a 3870sqft showroom at its Dudley head office specifically for its biannual launches. `We have always used the NEC for our launches, but we have to...

Crusader shares sold.
October 3, 2003... Roger Barnes has sold his majority shareholding in Crusader Foam to William Robinson, sales director and Michael Craggs, former Carobel general manager. The company has a turnover of about #1.5m but Robinson hopes the new management will...

SHOP WINDOW: JAY-BE.
October 3, 2003... The Latitude by Jay-Be is a low platform design with a wide surround and a leather headboard. The bed is now available in a walnut finish, with a chocolate brown headboard. Contact Jay-Be on 01924 51720 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW: DESALTO.
October 3, 2003... The Twice multipurpose chair designed by Jacob Pringiers consists of intersecting ellipses suspended on a light chrome structure. Contact Desalto on 00 39 031 783221 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW: DUDGEON.
October 3, 2003... The Rosebery Knole sofa is an updated version of the first upholstered sofa in the UK - the Knole sofa. The design features loose back and side cushions filled with duck down. Contact Dudgeon on 020 7589 0322 Copyright: CMP Information...

Store manager - violence: A fighting chance of safety.
October 3, 2003... Violence at work is all too common, Ceri Evans offers prevention advice The problem Work related violence is having serious consequences for my employees and my business. We've had two nasty incidents in 19 months with customers...

Retail Intelligence.
October 3, 2003... August's summer weather didn't help in turning around the declining figures seen over the past few months. After months of poor sales, August seemed to reach new lows with upholstery and living room cabinets plummeting and beds and bedroom...

SELF-ASSEMBLY FURNITURE: The missing screw.
October 3, 2003... Can't assemble your flatpack furniture? Can't understand the instructions? Mark Lewis discovers there's help at hand It is a token of distinction, for chaps at least, to set up a new product without a glance at the instruction manual....

DECOSIT: Value judgements.(textile trade show)
October 3, 2003... Whether it be durability or price, exhibitors were offering buyers more for their money with a variety of fabrics, reports Stephanie Baum Microfibres presided at the 25th installment of Decosit as more and more companies sought to provide...

TIP: Touching the future.(textile trade show)
October 3, 2003... A diverse range of fabrics were on show at Tip, Stephanie Baum looks at Europe's textile rivals While globalisation and the increasingly competitive furnishing textile market was debated at Decosit, the type of companies claimed to be...

NIGEL HENNIGAN: Upholstery man with soft spot for cushions.(Interview)
October 3, 2003... NIGEL HENNIGAN How did you start out in the industry? I started out in retail at an independent in Skipton and then progressed to Sutcliffe as a representative for the North East. Who's been the most inspiration to you? ...

New mail order probe.(Brief Article)
October 10, 2003... Merging the Littlewoods and former GUS mail order operations would provide `a significant prospect of a substantial lessening of competition' in the mail order sector, said the Office of Fair Trading. Now, after a five month inquiry, it...

Late interest does not stop Clarkes' victory.(Silentnight Holdings PLC)(Brief Article)
October 10, 2003... A late expression of interest to bid for Silentnight Holdings will not stop the founding Clarke family and Silentnight executives taking the firm private. Californian investor Ken Karmin, who was a minority shareholder, is believed to have...

COMMENT: Keeping it in the family.(Silentnight Holdings PLC; Soundsleep)(Brief Article)
October 10, 2003... After a late piece of excitement, Silentnight is well on its way to becoming the private, family owned company it was 30 years ago. As the founding Clarke family has always been the majority shareholder, trying to buy the group without its...

M&S homewares dip as pricing is adjusted.(Marks and Spencer PLC)(Brief Article)
October 10, 2003... Marks & Spencer has again seen a fall in homewares as sales fell by 1.7% in the 11 weeks to 27 September. The decline was worse than the 1.4% dip seen in the first quarter. Sales for the past six months were 0.1% higher. The chain...

Record sales fall.(Brief Article)
October 10, 2003... More furniture and floorcoverings retailers saw a fall in sales in September than at any time since May 1999. A balance of 53% of retailers said sales volumes were lower than a year ago, according to the CBI Distributive Trades Survey. ...

DFS - Appointment.(Brief Article)
October 10, 2003... Bill Barnes has been recruited as finance director for DFS. Ian Bowness is resigning on 31 October but will continue at the chain on a consultancy basis until the handover is complete. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Zero debt Airsprung gives profit warning.(Airsprung Furniture )(Brief Article)
October 10, 2003... Airsprung Furniture has issued a profits warning after selling Sprung Slumber to rival manufacturer Steinhoff for #5.4m. Sprung Slumber made a pre-tax profit of #863,000 in the year to 31 March. This compares to a group operating loss of...

Buyer unlikely for troubled Arcatura.(Brief Article)
October 10, 2003... Upholstery manufacturer, Arcatura, has gone into administration after prolongued ill health of Robert Ellis, Arcatura md, and underlying market trends. `Robert Ellis has been very ill, and was hospitalised for 18 months,' said Sir Raymond...

Vandalism puts business in jeopardy.(furniture industry)(Brief Article)
October 10, 2003... A West Midlands upholstery manufacturer is threatening to close its doors after suffering persistent vandalism. Almost 30 staff could lose their jobs if Richmond Furniture in Blackheath closes. The firm is opposite a council car park...

Letter: Make your own agreement.(Letter to the Editor)
October 10, 2003... In reference to Stephen Sidkin's letter on agents (cm, 3 Oct, p8) I remember many years ago Cabinet Maker reporting `That all reps and agents were driving to the sunset of their existence'. Sadly this has proved to be correct, with the...

New Heights to open Allders concession.(Brief Article)
October 10, 2003... New Heights will open its first concession in two weeks at Allders' Croydon store. The 1,000sqft unit will offer the retailer's bestselling pieces. Toby Ash, business development director, said the company was pleased with the move,...

Showroom refurbished.
October 10, 2003... Bill and Dorothy Fairley, Midas House Furnishers proprietors are pictured with Paul Goff, Century FM presenter, cutting the ribbon at the official reopening of the showroom in North Shields, Tyne and Wear. The store was refurbished after a fire...

Locals to fight Ikea decision.(Brief Article)
October 10, 2003... Protesters have vowed to fight the decision to grant planning permission for a 1.2millionsqft Ikea distribution centre in Stanton, Suffolk. Fred Rutherford, protest leader said: `We are looking at the possibility of a judicial inquiry,...

Maurice Edgar.(Brief Article)(Obituary)
October 10, 2003... Maurice Edgar, former Berisford and Hicks md, died on 30 September, aged 78. He spent his career in the furniture industry, first as a retail salesman in the North East before moving to Lebus. There he progressed from Liverpool showroom...

Bridgeman award.
October 10, 2003... Bridgeman won the Outdoor Living award at garden product show GLEE for the third consecutive year, this time with the Tecknique revolving table. The table converts from a hexagonal eight seater to a square four seater. Copyright: CMP...

Just deserts for And So To Bed.(Brief Article)
October 10, 2003... And So To Bed is on the verge of a major international expansion, which could see the chain grow by two thirds. A 5,000sqft store is being constructed in Dubai by conglomerate Alshaya Group which will run it as a franchise. Alshaya...

Factory boost.(Ekornes-Konsernet)(Brief Article)
October 10, 2003... Ekornes is to boost its production by two thirds at the end of a year, as it expects UK sales to grow by 14%. A new 335,560sqft plant in Ikornnes, Norway, will be 10% larger than its current site in the town. `The factory will boost...

Wrapping up funding to start green project.(garden furniture)(Brief Article)
October 10, 2003... Garden furniture is set to become greener after a Norfolk firm secured backing to begin producing a wood polymer composite made from recycled materials. Aimed initially at the garden furniture market, Recology will use Japanese technology...

Calm after the storms?(Christie-Tyler )
October 10, 2003... Comings and goings at Christie-Tyler have raised questions about UK manufacturing and products, reports Andrew Kidd In his new role as Christie-Tyler chief executive, Scott Malvenan faces several major questions, the answers to which will...

SHOP WINDOW: CHELSOM.(Advertisement)
October 10, 2003... The Ring contemporary Italian collection from Chelsom features metalwork finishes in crushed nickel, chrome or aluminium lacquer. The tabletops are tempered glass in either a clear or sandblasted finish. Contact Chelsom on 01253 831400 ...

SHOP WINDOW: LIFESTYLE.(Advertisement)
October 10, 2003... The Amazon bedroom range from Lifestyle Furniture is made from solid and veneered eucalyptus, giving the collection an ethnic flavour. Contact Lifestyle Furniture on 00 353 50262424 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW: EFFEZETA.(Advertisement)
October 10, 2003... All the chairs in the Diva collection share elliptical shapes in eye- catching two-tone colour versions in a choice of orange and black or blue and black. Contact Effezeta on 00 39 0432 229127 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW: ROBERT LLOYD.(Advertisement)
October 10, 2003... The Sahara is a simple contemporary design that is available in either a chaise or corner sofa arrangement. It is a flexible design making an individual statement in any home. Contact Robert Lloyd Furniture on 0118 9888477 Copyright:...

SHOP WINDOW: DANERKA.(Advertisement)
October 10, 2003... The Addit collection of chairs is available in 60 different variations, all of which differ greatly, but still have the same form of design. Contact Danerka on 00 45 49 138833 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Undercover in Epping.(furniture sales)
October 10, 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 dining table in Epping, Essex PERIOD HOME CENTRE, High Street Here is a store that has taken care of...

LIVING ROOM: I've seen the future - and it's rectangular.
October 10, 2003... Will there be a brave new world for the 21st century living room with new materials and shapes, or has the future already arrived? Claire Santry looks into her crystal ball (which is probably plastic) As regular readers of astrological...

LIVING ROOM: More Brits home alone.(Brief Article)
October 10, 2003... Social change will continue to be one of the strongest influences on the future look of our living rooms. The traditional homely scene of mum and dad sitting on the sofa reading to their children (presumably after a meal enjoyed in the...

FURNITURE ON FILM: Craft on camera.
October 10, 2003... Cabinet Maker visited an unlikely TV production company in a renovated barn in the Hereford countryside to view the filming of a new TV series called Cutting Edge Woodworker on hardwood furniture making Any furniture enthusiast could feel...

PROMOSEDIA: Take a seat.(chair design)(Brief Article)
October 10, 2003... Promosedia presented a wide variety of interpretations of the chair, as Alison Gay reports A flippant remark that a chair has four legs wouldn't go down well in Friuli, Italy, the centre of the chair world. Pushing the boundaries of chair...

PROMOSEDIA: By invitation.(chair design)(Brief Article)
October 10, 2003... Bumping into a woodchip cushioned chair while wandering around the show seems a bit quirky at first, even for an Italian event. Yet the excuse is a good one. Promosedia invited three designers to use the show as a shop window for their designs....

PROMOSEDIA: One to catch the eye.(furniture design)(Brief Article)
October 10, 2003... So just when you thought a chair was a chair, this Rugelah chair-bed- anything you want it to be comes along to challenge the status quo. `It takes guts to produce something new,' says designer Julian Lion Boxenbaum. `Designers can be...

FIRST PERSON - MIKE PLANT: Lighter side of design.(furniture)
October 10, 2003... MIKE PLANT How did you get started in business? Waiting to get into Pinewood Studios I took a `temporary' job as assistant to the design manager of Times Furnishing and stayed - bringing theatre to retail. Who do you most admire...

MANUFACTURING: At your service.(Brief Article)
October 10, 2003... Newly appointed general manager at ASFI (The Association of Suppliers to the Furniture Industry) Graham Holdsworth has wasted no time in implementing changes to the structure of this important organisation, and to the preparation of the ASFI...

MANUFACTURING: Machine safety on the cards.(Brief Article)
October 10, 2003... The latest in British Woodworking Federation's (BWF) series of machine safety cards cover safe use of double end tenoning machines and boring machines. No 11 reminds users that only trained and authorised employees should operate the...

MANUFACTURING: Doors open a record order for SCM.(SCM Group UK )(Brief Article)
October 10, 2003... A major investment programme by Cramlington based vinyl wrapped door manufacturer Browns 2000 has brought SCM group UK its biggest ever order for machinery. Twelve CNC routers, including 11 Ergon twin table multi headed machines, plus a...

MANUFACTURING: UK base speeds sander deliveries.(Quick Wood Aps)(Brief Article)
October 10, 2003... Danish wood sanding and de-nibbing systems specialist Quick Wood Aps has set up a UK headquarters to supply and service its range of products. Quick Wood UK will be managed by Tony and Warren Gibbs, owners of complementary company Gibbs...

MANUFACTURING: All quiet in the kitchen.(Brief Article)
October 10, 2003... Quiet in operation, with low levels of vibration and twist motion, the Desoutter automatic shut off straight screwdrivers were just what Wetherby-based Moores Furniture specified for its new kitchen furniture production facility. Fifteen...

MANUFACTURING: Nederman totals dust.(Brief Article)
October 10, 2003... Fume extraction specialist Nederman has launched a special projects division to manage the design, supply and installation of fume and dust extraction systems across the UK. The new division, formed from Industri Filter and Air Engineering...

MANUFACTURING: Hot on to the assembly line.(Brief Article)
October 10, 2003... SikaMelt has introduced a range of non-reactive and reactive hot melt adhesives for a variety of applications and temperature ranges. The adhesives are aimed at assembly work and line production allowing manufacturers to dispense with...

MANUFACTURING: Router key to easier window jointing.(Fairoak Timber Products; Hoffmann router)(Brief Article)
October 10, 2003... As a producer of bespoke joinery, Fairoak Timber Products' projects involve following complex architectural plans and specifications. Production manager Rob Enticknap explains that where windows are joined together in line or at angles to...

MANUFACTURING: Slides rule for range variety.(Brief Article)
October 10, 2003... Ball-bearing slides manufacturer Accuride International has extended its `off-the-shelf' products into what is believed to be the largest range in Europe. The launches are available in a variety of sizes, finishes and colours, and each...

MANUFACTURING: Data boost to waste wood recycling campaign.(Brief Article)
October 10, 2003... While over 2 million tonnes of waste wood are generated annually by the UK's timber-using industries - predominantly in the construction, joinery, shopfitting and furniture manufacturing sectors - little importance has been attached to...

MANUFACTURING: Second sander steers veneer.(Holloway Products ; Boere sander)(Brief Article)
October 10, 2003... Contract door maker Holloway Products has purchased a second Boere sander to achieve perfect sub-assembly calibration of doors before pressing of delicate veneers. The new Elite HD-TK augments its Boere Elite 1300 TKC, the 1650mm wide top...

MANUFACTURING: Hand tool firm brings in the safety specialists.(Brief Article)
October 10, 2003... Desoutter has allied with four specialist firms to develop effective solutions to health and safety issues of working with its air tools, such as audible noise, airborne dust and physical vibration. The move will enable it to ensure...

MANUFACTURING: Wall saw cuts space problem.(Bell Frampton Joinery )(Brief Article)
October 10, 2003... Bell Frampton Joinery has overcome a shortage of work space by buying a Striebig Control fully vertical wall saw. The Warboys, Huntingdon business was set up last September by director David Darlow, specialising in bespoke items. Housed in...

MANUFACTURING: Shredder doubles up to save on waste.(Brief Article)
October 10, 2003... Potential to process all textile waste in addition to wood waste with a single machine was the justification behind furniture manufacturer Sherborne Upholstery of Bradford's recent installation of a Weima WL6S 37kW single-rotor shredder. ...

MANUFACTURING: Kitchens get organised.(Brief Article)
October 10, 2003... Vacuum formed furniture components specialist G&G Products has developed a range of internal storage and kitchen organisation units. Officially launched at ZOW in Germany, the units are available from 300mm to 1,500mm wide from 400mm to...

MANUFACTURING: Abacon adds finishing options.(Brief Article)
October 10, 2003... Finishing of flat, profiled and assembled panels, and simple or complex moulded sections can now all be tackled by Abacon of Sheffield. It has teamed finishing and abrasive application machinery from Lower and a SlipCon brush-backed abrasive...

MANUFACTURING: UPDATE.(Correction Notice)
October 10, 2003... In the Manufacturing Supplement 9 (August) the Triplar story on page 9 should have read hand sanding - not `handsawing' The correct telephone number for Just Wood is 01283 530958 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

MANUFACTURING: AMERICAN MARKET AWFS - Fair exchange.(Association of Woodworking and Furnishings Suppliers fair)
October 10, 2003... A surprisingly busy AWFS Fair at Anaheim, California, in August may be a sign that the beleaguered US furniture industry is not taking the Chinese import threat lying down. Audrey Dixon reports Imports now account for 47.7% of America's...

MANUFACTURING: AMERICAN MARKET AWFS - FRESH TALENT.(Brief Article)
October 10, 2003... Attracting a mass of attention was the Student Design Contest exhibit. The designs of the 51 finalists were not just a testament to the abilities of the students, but also to the generous donations from materials suppliers that helped give free...

MANUFACTURING: AMERICAN MARKET AWFS - Delta Machinery.(Brief Article)
October 10, 2003... Delta Machinery designs and manufactures a complete line of woodworking machinery, stationary equipment, and related accessories for use in home workshops, building and construction trades, industry and schools. At AWFS Delta introduced...

MANUFACTURING: AMERICAN MARKET AWFS - Makita USA.(Brief Article)
October 10, 2003... California-based Makita USA used the AWFS Fair to announce the addition of the KP312-121/4in hand planer to its range of industrial quality planers. Combined with a 121/4in cutting width, 0-1/8 in adjustable depth and 15 AMP motor, the...

MANUFACTURING: AMERICAN MARKET AWFS - Hafele America.(Brief Article)
October 10, 2003... For new options in corner cabinet systems, Hafele America brought the Twister storage system. Shelves have a solid melamine bottom, sealed on all sides and surrounded by steel, chrome plated heavy-duty wire. They are available in a full round...