Cabinet Maker articles from September 2002

Cabinet Maker archives from September 2002

Clarkes want to `bring back Silentnight glory'.(Silentnight Holdings going private)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 6, 2002... The bid by Silentnight Holdings' founding Clarke family to take the group private is aimed at restoring it to `its former glory' and halting a fall in profits (cm, 23 Aug, p4). Peter and John Clarke, sons of founder Tom Clarke and...

Fabric blinds measure up.(Prestigious Textiles to launch blinds service)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2002... Prestigious Textiles has begun to roll out its made to measure fabric blinds service. The Definitions Collection comprises Roman or traditional roller blinds in more than 100 fabrics. Roller blinds are laminated and the Roman models...

COMMENT: A confusing family affair.(Silentnight Holdings founding family wants to buy back shares)(Brief Article)(Editorial)
September 6, 2002... The desire by the Clarke family to restore Silentnight Holdings to `its former glory' is admirable but confusing. According to the family's advisor, the group went into a slide three years ago and they want to reverse this. This begs...

Buyer is sought for troubled Newplan.(Newplan Furniture )(Brief Article)
September 6, 2002... Bradford cabinet manufacturer Newplan Furniture has been forced into receivership but continues to trade. Directors at the 31 year old company called in accountant Geoffrey Martin & Co on 27 August, claiming that `cheap imports had led to...

Habitat 2002-2003 catalogue.(new catalog available)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2002... Habitat has published its 2002/2003 catalogue. The 338 page brochure, which sells for #2, describes more than 2,000 products. Most of the new furniture has been developed under the direction of Habitat head of furniture design Matthew Hilton....

Tradition makes a comeback.(Charnwood Upholstery revamping product line)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2002... A fifth of Charnwood Upholstery's range has been dropped as part of a review to take the company back to its traditional roots. In the three months since its merger with Corinth Designs, Charnwood's range has been examined and will...

Debt to Indonesian firm caused liquidation.(Steven Shell)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2002... Cabinet furniture importer Steven Shell was forced into liquidation by its Indonesian supplier that claims it is owed more than #300,000. Liquidator Poppleton & Appleby was appointed to wind up the company last week following the calling in...

Foam profits.(British Vita operating profits)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 6, 2002... Vitafoam parent British Vita saw operating profits at its cellular polymers division rise by 14.9% to #16.2m in the six months to 30 June. The group said demand remained subdued across Western Europe. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Online revision.(G Plan Cabinets launches Internet site)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2002... G Plan Cabinets has launched its revised www.gplancabinets.co.uk website. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Awards deadline.(Trade Partners UK International Business Awards )(Brief Article)
September 6, 2002... Exporters have until 19 September to enter the Trade Partners UK International Business Awards which recognise the efforts of exporters. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Restructuring.(office furniture firm Dauphin)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2002... Office furniture company Dauphin has restructured, combining the Dauphin, Zuco and Bosse brands to form the Dauphin Human Design Group. The Trendline brand will continue to operate separately. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Overtime.(one in six working over 60 hours a week)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 6, 2002... One in six UK workers work more than 60 hours a week, according to a DTI survey. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Wade Furniture.(Correction Notice)
September 6, 2002... In the Long Point preview (cm, 30 Aug, p9) Wade Furniture's Quercus collection was illustrated by one of Wade Upholstery's show launches. Apologies for any confusion. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

OXO Peugeot takes Note of Smart ideas.(Note Table and Smart Chair win OXO Peugeot Design Award)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2002... Tom Seymour's Note Table and Nicholas Oxley's Smart Chair shared the furniture category of this year's OXO Peugeot Design Award. Both won #1,000 each. The table is made from 5,000 sheets of paper and PVA glue. The sheets are cut down to...

Hickory Chair range to be unveiled in the UK.(furniture maker)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2002... USA cabinet maker Hickory Chair makes its UK show debut later this month. Dining, bedroom and occasional furniture from the Thomas O'Brien Collection will be on show at Art Forma's At Home (15-18 September). The items at the At Home...

Hamsey doubles up on its sales space.(Surrey retailer Hamsey Trading)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2002... Surrey retailer Hamsey Trading has doubled its sales area with a 2,000sqft extension. The company's Stafford Road, Wallington bed store has had its ground floor extended with a single storey building. The investment is intended to...

Expansion for Irish importer.(Annaghmore Agencies)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2002... County Armagh wholesaler and importer Annaghmore Agencies was expected to complete work on its 48,000sqft warehouse this week. The company was due to officially open the Annaghmore unit today (6 September). The firm previously worked...

City: Stores defy market trend to prosper.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 6, 2002... Furniture retailers prospered against the market's trend. Courts' gain of 27p was triggered by some shrewd retail analysis at Numis Securities, interpreting #230m of balance sheet debt as funding for hire purchase sales in the far-flung trading...

Share Update on 2 September.(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
September 6, 2002... Share Update on 2 September Bold=new High/Low Now Change Change High Low over since 2 weeks 1 Jan Retailers...

Footpusher to talk to the chair.(to expand range of rocking recliners)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2002... Footpusher is to expand its range of rocking recliners with a motorised version and a sliding manual version. Both models will be launched at The Furniture Show in January. The motorised model will be powered by rechargeable batteries...

A broader image.(The Bigger Picture design and print service)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2002... A service that makes pictures part of the furniture has been launched by Trendhub director John Cook and designer George Icke. The Bigger Picture is a design and print service that can transfer photographs or artwork on to cushions,...

Double digit growth is in order at Homestyle.(orders up 12%)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 6, 2002... Harveys to Bensons Beds group Homestyle has seen double digit sales growth in the past six months. Orders rose by 12% to #275m in the six months to 31 August. Like for like sales jumped by 11%, along with higher margins. Furniture...

Kiani Hacienda rattan collection.(Westward Europe)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2002... The Kiani Hacienda rattan collection from Westward Europe is available in-store. The range comprises three and two-seater sofas, chair, stool, glass topped coffee table and side table. Director Carol Taylor said the range `helps create a...

Test certificates as selling aids for beds.(retailers may be able to use SATRA test certificates in marketing)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2002... Retailers may be able to use SATRA test certificates as a selling aid for beds. The testing house has completed installation of a #45,000 bed testing facility, thought to be one of only three in the world. It runs a heavy ruler across...

Better safe than sorry.(products must be safe; review of safety legislation)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2002... Products must be `reasonably safe' warns Carole Ferguson Consider the following situation. Several complaints have been made to Trading Standards throughout the county regarding a particular product which you manufacture, supply or retail....

The price of good posture.(different types of beds, preference and price)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2002... Coil sprung beds are becoming more sophisticated, both internally and aesthetically, reports Elspeth Pridham In a market dominated by price, coil sprung beds are often favoured over pocket sprung. However, as consumers gradually become more...

Top billing.(Decorex International)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2002... A host of stars will be at Decorex, Jane Oliphant puts just a few in the spotlight Regular visitors to Decorex International have come to expect only the very best of interior design. This month's show brings together once again the elite...

Designer profile: Angela's attic.(Angela Gidden; attic 2)(Brief Article)(Company Profile)
September 6, 2002... Furniture company attic 2 has helped put Wales on the design map and won widespread recognition for designer Angela Gidden, says Elspeth Pridham Which cities in Europe do you most associate with contemporary furniture design - London,...

Belfast firm fined #1,500. (Innerstyle Fine Furniture).(Brief Article)
September 13, 2002... A Belfast fitted furniture retailer has been fined #1,500 after selling MDF furniture it claimed was solid wood. Innerstyle Fine Furniture sold bedroom furniture to a retired couple. The doors and drawer fronts were described as solid...

Safeway puts cabinet in its shopping trolleys.
September 13, 2002... Supermarket chain Safeway is the latest retailer to enter the furniture market. A range of bedroom cabinet and a computer desk have been introduced at 275 of the chain's 479 branches. A beech effect two door, two drawer wardrobe...

Fewer customers unhappy about furniture.(Brief Article)(Polling Data)(Statistical Data Included)
September 13, 2002... The number of consumer complaints about furniture dropped last year - just. Some 64,994 complaints were received by Trading Standards departments, according to figures from the Office of Fair Trading. This was a fall of 0.2% on 2000. ...

Comment: Don't bank on them failing.(Safeway to market furniture)(Brief Article)(Column)
September 13, 2002... Supermarkets have made retailing a fine art. They may compete fiercely with each other, but as a group they've virtually squeezed out all but the best, or highly specialised, high street food retailers. Furniture retailers may greet with...

Manufacturers profits drop along with debt.(furniture)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 13, 2002... The UK's largest furniture manufacturers saw profits fall by an average of 16.9% between 1998/1999 and 2000/2001. Beds and bedroom furniture companies were the hardest hit, with profits declining by 25%. Living and dining room cabinet...

Arighi Bianchi in #1m promotion.(advertising campaign )(Brief Article)
September 13, 2002... Macclesfield retailer Arighi Bianchi is to launch an `It can only be Arighi Bianchi' advertising campaign next month. The move follows the appointment of Sass Panayi Collective as the store's advertising agency. Arighi Bianchi has an...

Fabric show.
September 13, 2002... A show for ready made textiles - Pret Pour La Maison - will be launched in Belgium next year. Featured products will include curtains, rugs, cushions, tablecloths, blankets and bedspreads. It will run alongside TIP at the Brussels Kart...

ASA ruling. (Advertising Standards Authority).(Brief Article)
September 13, 2002... The Advertising Standards Authority has upheld a complaint against Allders. A sale advertisement was headlined `50% off everything that makes your house a home' but only 10% of products were reduced by 50%. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Window sale. (Headlam sells window coverings business to Hunter Douglas Group).(Brief Article)
September 13, 2002... Headlam has sold its four window coverings businesses, including Eclipse, to Hunter Douglas Group for #12.1m. In 2001 the companies' operating profit was #2.2m from sales of #35m. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Awards deadline.
September 13, 2002... The deadline for entering the Queen's Awards for Enterprise is 31 October. Entry is free. Details, tel: 0870 513 4486 or visit www.queensawards.org.uk. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Stock control.(Correction Notice)
September 13, 2002... Contrary to information provided by Steven Shell liquidator Poppleton & Appleby, the company's stock was not auctioned by the its landlord (cm, 6 Sep, p2). The stock was bought by William Sheppee to service retailer accounts. Copyright:...

Leather on show.
September 13, 2002... Leathertrend USA is holding a show at the East Midlands Hotel at Junction 24 of the M1 on 15-18 September. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

So solid crew.
September 13, 2002... An exhibition of 17 furniture designs using solid wood will be on show at Purves & Purves's Tottenham Court Road, London store this month. The event will feature the work of designers including Mark Gabbertas, Hector Serrano and Lynne...

Edmonton Ikea move.(Ikea may receive permission for store in Edmonton, England)(Brief Article)
September 13, 2002... Ikea could be closer to getting planning permission for a store in Edmonton, north London. Enfield Council has sent consultation letters to 500 residents near the proposed site. So far fewer than five have objected. Ikea wants to build...

Aak anchors its sales in Salford.(furniture store opens on vessel)(Brief Article)
September 13, 2002... A furniture store with a difference has opened on the banks of the Grand Union Canal at Salford Quays, Manchester. Retailer Aak has taken the wraps off its first store on board a wooden barge called La Pinta. The 150ft vessel,...

Furniture turns the tables on slowdown.(furniture and floorcoverings retailers report sales growth)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 13, 2002... Retailers of furniture and floorcoverings largely defied a slowdown in retail sales in August. A balance of 32% of retailers reported annual sales volume growth, according to the CBI Distributive Trades Survey. This compared with a...

French takes the fancy at Salterforth.(Silentnight Furniture launches bedroom furniture)(Brief Article)
September 13, 2002... Silentnight Furniture hoped to build on the success of its top-selling living and dining room Provence range at the Silentnight Group At Home this week. The Salterforth show (8-11 September) saw the debut of the Bordeaux bedroom furniture...

Better quality for the same price is assured.(Rest Assured releases mattress)(Brief Article)
September 13, 2002... Rest Assured launched the Saffron pocket sprung bed, an upgrade of the Karen model at the same #499 price for a 135cm four-drawer model. The bed has a sprung base with a 1,000 pocket spring mattress, which now has extra layers of fillings...

Nathan new teak lines.
September 13, 2002... Nathan showed three new teak lines, a bow front display cabinet, low bow front storage unit and a large TV corner unit. The TV unit accepts most 22in and 28in widescreen TVs, and also accommodates video, DVD and satellite decoder on two...

P&L Beds' new quartet plays a fashionable tune.(beds)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
September 13, 2002... Four models were launched by P&L Beds, including the Layezee Lotus studio style bed. The ultra-modern appearance of the low pine frame is enhanced by a simple bolster headboard with vertical chrome railing and a one-sided lemon mattress....

Select collection for Top Drawer. (furniture exhibition, UK).(Brief Article)
September 13, 2002... Furnishings firm Total Lifestyle Company made its trade exhibition debut at Top Drawer Autumn this week. The company, which represents Himla in the UK and whose range includes tablecloths, throws, cutlery, bedlinen, Portuguese ceramics and...

Don't acquire a nightmare.(acquisitions and mergers)(Brief Article)
September 13, 2002... Takeovers can deliver problems as well as assets, explains Wilf Altman Mergers and acquisitions have been hitting the headlines in the USA and the UK in banking, insurance and telecoms. But what happens once the deal is done? Only...

IN FOCUS.(Brief Article)
September 13, 2002... The rise and rise of Scandinavian furniture seems unstoppable. From Ikea's tentative toe-in-the-water exercise when it opened its first UK store in 1987, the Scandinavian influence on the UK furniture market has blossomed, and helped change...

The future's Nordic.(Brief Article)
September 13, 2002... The UK's younger generation is used to the `Scandinavian look', but can the boom in sales continue? Liam O'Brien reports Scandinavian furniture exports to the UK, which only 20 years ago barely registered on the radar screen, are now...

Cast in stone.(Actona's marble furniture)(Brief Article)
September 13, 2002... Actona may be diversifying from its origins but in the UK marble is still the cornerstone of its business, reports Stephanie Baum Although Britain was once part of the Roman empire it is fair to say modern British consumers did not succumb...

Relaxed? Don't you believe it!
September 13, 2002... Ekornes' approach to building its recliner business is anything but laid back, as Jenny Pulling discovered Meeting Ekornes UK md Svein Lunde is like taking in a breath of proverbial fresh air. Within minutes you are swept up by his...

Norwegian nous.(Stompa Furniture)
September 13, 2002... It's a measure of Stompa's success that it is having to defend its brand egainst imitators. Audrey Dixon reports Nordic names often sound amusing, cute or descriptive to English- speaking ears. They can be rich fodder for TV shows that...

The P factor.(Les Mitchell of Pineology)(Brief Article)
September 13, 2002... Pine, passion and personal service are Pineology md Les Mitchell's secrets of success It's been a long time since anyone at Cabinet Maker heard the words `passionate' and `pine furniture' used in a single sentence, so it was a breath of...

Leather sofa campaign receives a hiding.(Olympian advertising)(Brief Article)
September 20, 2002... Animal protection organisations have slammed an advertising campaign by retailer Olympian as `cruel and offensive'. The poster and Press coverage for its new leather upholstery shows calves alongside captions the Scottish Society for the...

Courts' credit deal clarified.(Brief Article)
September 20, 2002... Courts has become the latest furniture retailer to stop advertising credit offers as interest free when consumers could be liable for interest. It follows intervention by the Office of Fair Trading. If consumers had not paid the full...

Comment: Cow tale may have a sting.(Olympian ads for leather furniture offend animal rights groups)(Brief Article)
September 20, 2002... I applaud any furniture retailer that tries to deliver a more creative message with its advertising than the usual focus on price and low cost credit packages. And Olympian would not be the first retailer to have used controversy to...

IC Beds expands with flooring chain VFM.
September 20, 2002... Londonderry retailer IC Beds & Sofas is to open a second store within a year - in partnership with a flooring retailer. A 2,000sqft concession for timber and laminate flooring chain VFM was opened in IC's 12,000sqft store last week. As...

JLP profits decline.(John Lewis )(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 20, 2002... Pre-tax profits at department and supermarket group John Lewis slumped by 24% to #33.7m in the six months to 27 July. Department store sales broke the #1bn barrier for the first time, climbing 6% to #1.001bn (including VAT). Like for...

Enchantment Collection.(from Prestigious Textiles)(Brief Article)
September 20, 2002... The Enchantment Collection of printed satins, batistes and burnouts was among the ranges launched by Prestigious Textiles at TIP (6-9 September). The range is based on the designs of Japanese style floral displays. Copyright: CMP...

Inflation cut.(furniture retail price inflation )(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 20, 2002... The annual rate of furniture retail price inflation halved to 2% in August. National Statistics said discounts were more widespread and deeper than in 2001. For furnishings, deflation continued for the fifth consecutive month as the...

Davies sets up direct delivery firm Jaywood.(Paul Davies, Jaywood Furniture)(Brief Article)
September 20, 2002... A sales agency has been set up by former ASBI sales and marketing director Paul Davies. Jaywood Furniture will supply cabinet furniture from Boknes and upholstery from German firm Gapade. Delivery will be direct to consumers, with...

Merger talks.(J Burdekin, Daron)(Brief Article)
September 20, 2002... Rattan furniture importers J Burdekin and Daron are considering merging or forming a joint venture with an Indonesian manufacturer and a shipping line. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Focus on upholstery.
September 20, 2002... Upholstery is in the spotlight for Cabinet Maker's 18 October Market Focus, and we are looking for details and photographs of new products in this important sector. Please send information and images to Stephanie Baum, to arrive no later than 1...

Thai takeaway.(furniture exports)(Brief Article)
September 20, 2002... Thailand furniture exports to the UK rose by #3.86m to #21m in the first six months of the year, according to the Thailand Department of Export Promotion. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Clean or not.(corruption reputation)(Brief Article)
September 20, 2002... The UK has the tenth best perception of being free of corruption. A survey by anti-corruption body Transparency International said Finland had the best reputation of 102 states. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Conroy's return.(Michael Conroy appointed at Furnico)(Brief Article)
September 20, 2002... Former Conroys md Michael Conroy has returned to the furniture industry as sales director at upholstery firm Furnico three months after the Conroys chain went into administration. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Management to buy out Bradley.(Martin Tyler, Steven Coates to buy out Bradley Furniture)(Brief Article)
September 20, 2002... Bradley Furniture md Martin Tyler and finance director Steven Coates are set to buy the company out of administration. The pair plan to restructure the traditional yew and mahogany cabinet firm by outsourcing panel production and reducing...

Shimmering taffetas and chenilles.(from Panaz)(Brief Article)
September 20, 2002... Shimmering taffetas and chenilles were among the themes of Panaz's launches at Decosit in Brussels, including The Bijoux Collection. The range is available in four designs and nine colours. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Jay-Be's Book.(Brief Article)
September 20, 2002... The autumn/winter edition of Jay-Be's Book has been released. Among the products featured is the Eclipse bedstead, which is available in a small double 1200mm size designed as an alternative to a single bed or where there is not enough room for...

Contemporary USA designer concentrates on bedrooms.(John Kelly)(Brief Article)
September 20, 2002... American furniture designer John Kelly is to focus on bedroom furniture next year. A contemporary styled solid European oak collection Zeta Series Furnishings will be launched at The Furniture Show in January. In addition, he is...

Late payment forces Rolamwell liquidation.(Brief Article)
September 20, 2002... Upholstery manufacturer Rolamwell has gone into liquidation. The Manchester company, which traded as Shaws Designer Upholstery, had been paying creditors by instalments but was unable to hand court bailiffs an overdue payment when they...

Gaze Burvill's The Splash Collection.(Brief Article)
September 20, 2002... Providing the trade with furniture `worthy of the notion of the garden room' is the goal of Gaze Burvill's The Splash Collection. It will be launched at Decorex (22-25 September). The collection, produced in European oak, includes a sofa, an...

Shopfloor: Honesty is the real bonus.(Brief Article)
September 20, 2002... Caveat emptor as the lawyers say - buyer beware. Supplier incentives can afflict more damage on a retailer than perhaps anything else. The customer comes first and the number one goal of any salesperson is to put the customer and their...

Slumberland reveals its individual focus.(launch of new beds)(Brief Article)
September 20, 2002... Individuality was the key theme among the bed launches at Slumberland's At Home last week. Revealed at the Oldham showroom (9-12 September), the Gold and Silver Seal ranges feature different fabrics on each model. The fabrics are...

Mystique and Oasis top the bill.(Slumberland Inc.)(Brief Article)
September 20, 2002... Slumberland's sofabed range was expanded with the Mystique and Oasis. The three seater Mystique has a pullout bottom bed, with a pull-up headboard, which allows it to be used as a kingsize or two singles. It retails from #1,349 to #1,449....

Italy in the driving seat.(international chair show in Udine, Italy)(Brief Article)
September 20, 2002... Exhibitors at the international chair show Promosedia welcomed UK visitors with open arms earlier this week. With nervousness over traditionally strong markets such as Germany and the USA reaching fever pitch, buyers from stronger...

City: City stores lift M&S shares confidence.(Marks and Spencer PLC; British Vita PLC)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 20, 2002... Marks & Spencer gained 18p on continuing good publicity for autumn fashions, and evidence of buoyant trade in the stores adjacent to London's financial centre. The share buy-back continues, with some 400,000 purchased in September at...

Share Update on 16 September.(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
September 20, 2002... Share Update on 16 September Bold=new High/Low Now Change Change High Low over since 2 weeks 1 Jan ...

Manufacturers make their Point.(furniture manufacturers show products in Derbyshire)(Brief Article)
September 20, 2002... While traditional furniture manufacturers were again out in force at Long Point this week, GillmoreSpace brought a contemporary note to the event. The Brompton bedroom range was launched by md Charles Gillmore at the exhibition, held in...

Artistic Upholstery launch.(Brief Article)
September 20, 2002... Artistic Upholstery launched the Westbourne Chinese Chippendale chair with hand-sprung seat. The beech frame can be polished to any shade, painted or gilded. Retail price is about #1,400 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Increase your data police force.(Brief Article)
September 20, 2002... Ensure IT systems are safe from security breaches by staff, says Andrea Kirkby What is your IT security like? Most businesses believe the big threat is from hackers. But there is a much greater threat within your own organisation. ...