Cabinet Maker articles from September 2005

Cabinet Maker archives from September 2005

Lebus sale on the cards.(Pendragon and Contour)(Lebus international )
September 2, 2005... A consortium of businessmen has failed to buy the former Christie-Tyler businesses, Contour and Pendragon, but it looks likely to snap up Lebus instead. Grafton Associates, the management consultancy and turnaround specialist fronting the...

Sofa deals pay off at Harveys.(Brief Article)
September 2, 2005... Harveys has had a bumper Bank Holiday weekend on the back of a promotion for a #199 and a #299 sofa. The promotion, underpinned by a nationwide TV and Press advertising campaign, is believed to have generated turnover of close to #9m on the...

No light in summer sales gloom.
September 2, 2005... Hopes of a summer recovery in retail sales were dashed as the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) reported that nearly half of all retailers sold less stock in August than they did last year. The figures for furniture and floorcoverings...

Igoe Furniture - Appointments.
September 2, 2005... Igoe Furniture has appointed two agents, bringing the sales team up to seven. Sue Avison joins as agent for the East and West Midlands. May Jenkinson joins as agent for Scotland. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Art Forma - Appointment.
September 2, 2005... Art Forma has named Nicki Atkinson as sales director. She will be responsible for UK sales of Art Forma's upholstery ranges and cabinets by Thomasville Furniture which it represents in the UK. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Embark Design - Appointments.
September 2, 2005... Embark Design, manufacturer of contemporary plastic occasional furniture and a subsidiary company of Barkston Plastics, has made its first two appointments since its launch. Andy McNally has been named new product designer and Leanne Neumann...

Trade Link Company - Appointment.
September 2, 2005... Luciana Moreira joins Trade Link Company as a sales executive. She will be working specifically on Scoperta 2006 which takes place at Fiera Milano from 9-12 May 2006. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Brand delivers.(Verdi and Corina from Wade Upholstery)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2005... Wade Upholstery has seen an immediate effect on sales with its recent generic advertising campaign in the national home interest press. The brand awareness campaign which featured two models - Verdi and Corina - was seen in 25 Beautiful Homes...

IN BRIEF: Allders warranties.
September 2, 2005... Former Allders customers could find themselves without warranties if they do not have the backing of third-party insurance companies. Administrator Kroll said there were three different kinds of warranties, but only two were still valid. If not...

IN BRIEF: Plastics prices.
September 2, 2005... Online forum plasticker.de is publishing real-time prices for plastics raw materials. The prices are calculated directly from the current offers and enquiries in the Recybase raw materials exchange. This contains around 1,000-1,500 current...

IN BRIEF: KBSA support.(Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2005... KBSA members will be able to call on a business support helpline for free professional guidance. Business consultancy Croner Consulting will offer immediate, unlimited access by telephone to expert advisers on subjects such as employment and...

IN BRIEF: MICE for MIFF.(Malaysian International Furniture Fair )(Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Exhibitions and Special Events)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2005... The Malaysian International Furniture Fair (MIFF) has been named the Best MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Exhibitions and Special Events) exhibition of the Year at the Malaysian Tourism Awards. The award recognises the event that has...

Gateshead store dares to be different.
September 2, 2005... DP Furniture Express has replaced the ill-fated Liverpool distribution centre it closed in June last year, with a 50,000sqft centre and new- concept store in Gateshead. Opened last weekend, the Furniture Factory, will concentrate more on...

Harrison boosts capacity.(Harrison Beds increased its floor space in factory)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2005... Leeds manufacturer, Harrison Beds, has doubled its factory floorspace to 103,000sqft. Peter and Simon Spinks, owners, insisted that the added capacity had come at the right time despite a general slowdown in the industry with a number of...

City: The price of entry and exit in retail.(market shares)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2005... Land of Leather joins the Cabinet Maker share price index this week, following its stock market debut at the end of July. After a brief upswing, the shares are 5p below the launch price. Five million have changed hands, of the 51million in...

Reeds to open again.
September 2, 2005... Independent Norfolk retailer Reeds will sell furniture again, five months after it closed its doors in April. The three-generation Downham Market family store is to open again in October for the run up to Christmas under the name of Reeds...

M&S shares are still churning.(Marks and Spencer PLC)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2005... Marks & Spencer shares are churning around 360p, following the May to July uptrend that carried the price from 320p to 366p. Most analysts believe this to be a fair price, although some bears doubt that trading at M&S will recover significantly...

Letter: A very good read.(Letter to the Editor)
September 2, 2005... It is no great surprise that too many trade publications falter by failing to respect the intelligence of its readership. But having subscribed to and read Cabinet Maker for a few years now, it is evident that it has an integrity that others...

Letter: More tests for mattress imports.(Letter to the Editor)
September 2, 2005... The essential facts contained in Roll-up mattress row sparked, (CM, 26 Aug, p3) are just as you reported them. We arranged the purchase from a variety of retail outlets of nine different imported foam mattresses. Flammablity tests were...

Little and large.(new and mini brochures)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2005... Following the launch of five kitchen ranges this year, Burbidge has updated its 100-page brochure, and produced a mini brochure to use as handouts or promotional mail-outs. Both brochures are available to Burbidge customers blank, branded...

Leader: Whatever it takes - do it.
September 2, 2005... This weekend's promotional bargains at Harveys were jaw-dropping. A #199 sofa. At first glance it appears almost too good to be true. But is it? Many in the trade think this type of aggressive promotional activity augurs badly for the...

Views By Martin Kay.
September 2, 2005... I was interested to read the comments of the head of furniture from my newest client, Debenhams (CM, 12 Aug, p9). David Dawkins has an illustrious record in the UK furniture trade and I endorse his policy of using few suppliers, but I would say...

Talk: What do you think about Harveys' #199 sofa campaign?(Brief Article)
September 2, 2005... `It is just after some volume. It will not make any money on it. But it will have had a very good weekend on the back of it. I think the #299 leather model will be bought for around #200. Once you factor in delivery, that's gone. But I thought...

NEWS ANALYSIS: Eastern promise closer to home.
September 2, 2005... Could the furniture industry follow textiles' lead and source from Eastern European countries rather than China? Sonia Soltani looks at the options The clothing import crisis between China and Europe should be seen as a warning shot for...

SHOP WINDOW - CABINET: Alstons.
September 2, 2005... Blend is Alstons' latest addition to its dining and living room collection. It has a choice of extending table with pedestal base or fixed-top table, stick back or upholstered chairs along with bookcase, sideboard, display units and coffee...

SHOP WINDOW - CABINET: Chelsom.(tao in depth)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2005... Chelsom's Tao circular shelving system creates a striking centrepiece for any room. It is manufactured in Italy by Orsenigo and has a 130m diameter and a 40cm depth. The base comes in dark or light oak with metalwork in chrome, brushed nickel...

SHOP WINDOW - CABINET: Distinction Furniture.
September 2, 2005... Distinction Furniture's Bello range is a rich, soft design. Part of the Prima Casa collection, it comprises three dining tables, coffee, side and console tables. Tel: 020 731 3460 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW - CABINET: Steens.
September 2, 2005... Steens' Paris collection is available in a very dark stain finish. Products include dining table, chairs, sideboard, display units, and corner units. Tel: 01489 661 616 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW - CABINET: Scandinavian Pine.(Brief Article)
September 2, 2005... The Vermont collection from Scandinavian Pine is solid oak in an oiled finish. It uses dovetail joints on the drawers, with 25mm thick doors and 30mm thick tops. The collection has a wide range of products for the bedroom, living room and...

SHOP WINDOW - CABINET: Gleneagle Furniture.
September 2, 2005... Gleneagle Furniture's contemporary bedroom Milan range has metal drawer runners and castors for extra quality, while brushed steel handles and glass detailing add to its appeal. Tel: 01286 662 950 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

STORE MANAGER: Matchmaking: make sure you get it right.(recruiting the right employee)
September 2, 2005... Staff are probably a company's most valuable asset, so it is important that the best people are taken on. Lindsay Payne offers some tips on recruitment Having good staff is vital for any business, but what makes someone the right employee...

INTERVIEW - GRAHAM SOUTHALL: Clear vision.
September 2, 2005... Launching a company in less than booming times requires expertise and a lot of faith. Sonia Soltani talks to Graham Southall, a man with both Is Graham Southall a daredevil for launching a furniture company in the current climate of retail...

GOLA FURNITURE: Keeping count.
September 2, 2005... As furniture manufacturers struggle in the Republic of Ireland, adapting to a changing Europe is essential for Gola Furniture, as Mark Lewis reports Gola's 110,000sqft factory is in an area which breeds fine mathematicians. Monahan is at...

HOME OFFICE CHAIRS: Are you sitting comfortably?(get comfortable chair )
September 2, 2005... Price, rather than quality is still a major issue for consumers when it comes to home office chairs. Sonia Soltani finds out how to get them to trade up Blame it on Broadband. As access to a 24/7 Internet has become increasingly cheaper...

HOME OFFICE - CHAIRS: Working position.(workplace convenient)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2005... Back pain is the second most common work related condition in the UK and commonest in manual occupations. Reports have estimated that the total cost of back pain corresponds to between 1% and 2% of gross national product. It seems our...

HOME OFFICE - CHAIRS: Painful figures.
September 2, 2005... * 49% of the adult population of the UK report low back pain lasting for at least 24 hours at some time during the year, up from just over a third in 1990 and 18% in 1983. * 80% of people will experience back pain lasting more than a day...

HOME OFFICE - CHAIRS: What makes a good chair.(methods of selecting good chairs)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2005... The next time a customer walks into your store and asks about home office chairs, don't shy away from responsibility. Highlight why buying a good chair can make a considerable difference. You'll do a good deed and achieve a successful sale. ...

SHOW PREVIEW - OCTOBER'S DIARY: A brand new look.(Intercasa)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2005... INTERCASA 4-9 InterCasa Lisbon www.fil-intercasa.com Portugal's largest furniture and interiors design show, InterCasa, has been given a revamp. Coz+ has been launched as a showcase of kitchen furniture, equipment and...

SHOW PREVIEW - OCTOBER'S DIARY: The best advice for retailers.
September 2, 2005... HIGH POINT 20-26 International Home Furnishings Market High Point, US www.ihfc.com As well as the furniture at the International Home Furnishings Market at High Point, the show will also feature a series of seminars intended...

RETAIL INTELLIGENCE: July trading.
September 2, 2005... If any retailer had booked July for their summer holiday, it was a masterstroke of timing. If they weren't on holiday, they may just as well have been. July was a dreadful month for the overwhelming majority of retailers. Compared with...

MARKET REVIEW: What's the USP?(Unit Sales Price)(opinion)(Interview)
September 2, 2005... Developing an unique selling proposition for a company or product is vital to compete with rivals, says Christine Cryne An unique selling proposition (USP) is one of the basics of effective marketing and business that has stood the test of...

MARKET REVIEW: How to define your USP.(Unit Sales Price)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2005... 1. Start with the product or service that you most want to succeed, has the greatest potential, or provides the largest contribution to the company's profits. 2. List all the main features of what your product or service does. Include...

Life's for living and enjoyment.
September 2, 2005... Roger van der Matten is director of importer 4 Living Furniture How did you get started in the industry? Through my brother Patrick who has retail shops in Amsterdam and The Hague in The Netherlands. When I moved to England we saw a...

Strange furniture.
September 2, 2005... Another summer, another story about furniture being made from frankly unsuitable things. This time it's a shopping trolley. Mature student Colin Lovekin, 46, from Budlake, near Exeter, came up with his design as part of his degree in 3D...

Spending your way to the top.(Colleen McLoughlin in election)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2005... It seems Wayne Rooney's girlfriend, Colleen McLoughlin, is set to win the British Retail Consortium's Celebrity Shopper of the Year Award. As Cabinet Maker went to press, Colleen's share of the vote had reached 27%, increasing her lead...

M&S finds new supply.(Marks and Spencer PLC contract with Sofa Brands International)(Brief Article)
September 9, 2005... A deal which saw Sofa Brands International (SBI) supply Marks & Spencer with upholstery fell through when the retailer balked at an asking price it saw as unfair. The nature of the pair's parting of ways is disputed, with both parties...

GMB questions timing of SBI deal for C-T firms.(General, Municipal, Boilermakers and Allied Trades Union, Sofa Brands International, Chriustie-Tyler)
September 9, 2005... Union os taking legal advice on the conduct of Chriustie-Tyler directors over sale to Sofa Brands International The fallout from the liquidation of Christie-Tyler continues to be felt with the ongoing dispute between Sofa Brands...

KoL stores for sale confusion.
September 9, 2005... Natuzzi denies that its plans for the UK market have changed amid conflicting views from Italy and UK over sale of Kingdom of Leather sites The proposed sale of three of Kingdom of Leather's six remaining UK stores has called into question...

No plans for emergencies.(safer steps to manage)(Brief Article)
September 9, 2005... London retailers have allowed the implementation of business contingency plans to slip down their agendas, just weeks after the terrorist attacks in London. As many as 44% of small businesses in the capital have no contingency plans,...

Morris awarded #33.75m to make way for motorway.
September 9, 2005... Morris Furniture has been awarded #33.75m by the Scottish Executive for its Glasgow premises which is on the planned route of the M74 extension. George McGraw, joint md, said the figure, the largest single payment to any company for...

In brief: Makeover in Brechin.(renovating the company)(Blacks of Brechin Furnishers)(Brief Article)
September 9, 2005... One of Scotland's oldest furniture retailers has reopened following a five-week revamp. The 168 year-old Blacks of Brechin Furnishers underwent a two-stage #50,000 renovation of the front and rear areas of the store, which included a new...

In brief: Logistics tour.
September 9, 2005... UKFirst is offering companies the chance to improve their logistics by learning from those in the know, with a free tour around Premdor's Barnsley site. The doors and windows manufacturer and distributor is showcasing its logistics, which are...

In brief: Chinese attitude.(conference of chinese)(Brief Article)
September 9, 2005... Sir Digby Jones, Confederation of British Industry director general, has staged an attack on lax Chinese attitudes to intellectual property. The attack, during a European Union-China summit provoked a sharp exchange of words between Wen Jiaboa,...

In brief: Housing standstill.
September 9, 2005... The housing market has ground to a halt according to the latest figures from mortgage lender, Halifax. Prices fell 0.2% between July and August. They had been nominally stagnant over the past five months, falling in real terms. The news means...

Small firms paying double business rate.
September 9, 2005... Lack of information mean up to a quarter of companies do not know they can claim discounts Almost a quarter of small businesses in England may be paying double what they should be on their business rate bills because they are not aware...

Bricks and clicks own brand.(nwe designs of furniture to the industry)(Brief Article)
September 9, 2005... Dwell has designed its own range of furniture for the first time. The contemporary retailer, whose business model includes a seven-day delivery pledge, is due to launch upholstery, bedroom and dining cabinet, occasional and lighting collections...

Lebus takeover lies in the balance.(management service take over the furniture industry)(Brief Article)
September 9, 2005... The purchase of Lebus by management consultant Grafton Associates, looked in danger of being scuppered as Cabinet Maker went to press. The sale of the former Christie-Tyler subsidiary, which had looked like a done deal last week, stood no...

New call for interest rate cut.
September 9, 2005... BRC-KPMG says industry shouldn't be fooled by a slight upturn in retail sales from July to August with furniture and floorcoverings still being hardest hit Retailers continued to struggle in August according to figures from the British...

Shop rents keep rising.
September 9, 2005... Prime retail shop rents have soared in the past 12 months, even though retailer returns have dwindled. Rents were an average 4% more expensive in the year to May 2005 than the year before. Rents rose by just 3.4% and 2.9% in the relative...

Manufacturers get ray of hope as orders pick up.(customers in market)(Brief Article)
September 9, 2005... Manufacturers got an unexpected boost from the news that orders were up on the back of higher demand, signalling a possible end to manufacturing recession. The news moved Mervyn King, governor of the Bank of England to claim to be...

LETTER: Listen to what the customers want.(Letter to the Editor)
September 9, 2005... I read with some interest and even more alarm the comments in Talk from John Marshall, DP Furniture Express chairman (CM, 2 Sept, p9). Has it not occurred to him that the decrease in retail sales, and for that matter footfall, is in direct...

Letter: What the future holds for manufacturing in the UK.(Letter to the Editor)
September 9, 2005... Last week's Cabinet Maker would have told a visitor from Mars everything they need to know about the state of the UK furniture industry, and indeed our economy. The National Bed Federation reports that only one out of nine imported foam...

Letter: There is a home-grown alternative.(Letter to the Editor)
September 9, 2005... Reading Martin Kay's latest offering (CM, 2 Sept, p9) shows that once again he has been given a free platform to air his views on his favourite subject - Scan-Thor. I can't blame him for this, but the level of self-publicity and name-dropping...

Letter: Courts pensions.(Letter to the Editor)
September 9, 2005... I write with reference to my letter addressed to a personal friend which I subsequently allowed to be published in CM (12 Aug, p8). I am able to tell you that two of the gentlemen I named, Edmund and Paul Cohen, are as much victims of the...

COMMENT: Get through the red tape for help.(Government legislation have any concern)(Brief Article)
September 9, 2005... In this week's issue there are a number of examples of how Government legislation is making life hard for the retailer. It is a common complaint from the high street. The red tape surrounding business is both costly and time consuming, but for...

VIEWS by Andrew Adamson.(deal with customer)(Brief Article)
September 9, 2005... It is strange the way the mind works, or perhaps I should say the way my mind works. I often read about how bad business is at the moment, with manufacturers going bust, retailers closing down, and now even the importers have jumped on the...

Talk: How long do you think it will be before the market picks up?(industrialist opinion)(Brief Article)
September 9, 2005... `The market is slightly depressed at the moment, and has been for the last four to six weeks. I think there are too many uncertainties at the moment for people to invest in large cash items. If anyone could say when it'll pick up again, they'd...

Rents drive retailers out.
September 9, 2005... Upward only rent reviews are pushing retailers out of the high street, but the Government has failed to act. Mark Lewis looks at the prospects Picture this: gleaming, metallic buildings, side-by-side, standing proudly up to the elements in...

SHOP WINDOW - DECOREX: Helen Amy Murray.
September 9, 2005... Oxo Peugeot Design Award winner 2003, Helen Amy Murray, uses a three dimensional effect technique to create an innovative textile for upholstery and wall applications. Tel: 020 7033 0186 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

STORE MANAGER: A matter of substance.(Health and Safety at Work Act 1974)(no to alcoholic drugs at work)
September 9, 2005... How do you deal with drug or alcohol problems at work? A company policy helps meet legal requirements and lets staff know what support is available UK businesses lose an estimated #3.5bn a year to drink and drug related problems such as...

STORE MANAGER: Benefits of a smoking policy.
September 9, 2005... A policy on smoking can be useful as it will demonstrate how a company is meeting its responsibilities under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 to protect non-smokers from passive smoking in rest rooms or rest areas....

UPHOLSTERY - HIMOLLA: On the recline.(in depth )(Company Profile)
September 9, 2005... A German upholstery manufacturer is increasing its foothold in the UK market with targeted product offerings German upholstery manufacturer Himolla likens itself to the BMW of upholstery. It is firmly positioned in this end of the market...

Undercover shopper: Bath.
September 9, 2005... Five stores are visited every month to check service. This month we look at: Bath The elegant city of Bath lies in the heart of the Somerset countryside, 100 miles from London between the Cotswold Hills to the north and the Mendips to...

Technology - Internet calls: More for less online.
September 9, 2005... Making telephone calls over the Internet could reduce costs and improve efficiency, Andrew Kidd tells how the Voice over-Internet Protocol works Every few years a technology emerges from an alphabet soup of geek- speak that all corporate...

Technology - Internet calls: Right connection?(Broadband Voice at low cost )(Brief Article)
September 9, 2005... Telephone calls and Internet connection will be shared across your broadband and the quality of the call will depend on how the Internet connection is used. BT warns that with its Business Broadband Voice (BBV) product, it `uses the public...

Market review: Hug your customer.(customers are the root of growth in industry)
September 9, 2005... Shaun Davies explains how you can find out more about your customers Now that Asda and Tesco look likely to enter the home furnishings market, and with Ilva coming in from Denmark to ambush the middle market, where does that leave you? ...

Bed experts target Scotland.
September 16, 2005... Kelly and Montgomery to stir up the Scottish bed market with store plans Bernard Kelly, Bensons Beds founder, and Colin Montgomery, former The Bed Shed md, are set to make separate forays into Scottish bed retailing. The pair, who...

ChristianHarold's first studio venture opens.(Brief Article)
September 16, 2005... Importer and manufacturer ChristianHarold has opened its first studio in a Leeds retail outlet, paving the way for 50-60 studios nationwide by the end of next year. The studio, in retailer Millhouse, sells solid oak furniture, but future...

Measuring up for a rate rise.(Brief Article)
September 16, 2005... Price index anomaly could see interest rates rise despite house prices falling The gap between the Bank of England's old measure of inflation and its new one closed to the slimmest margin since the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) started in...

More deliveries.
September 16, 2005... The Pier expects to save more than #50,000 a year by using trucks with removable boxes, enabling its warehouses to run a continual cycle of load and delivery - boxes will be pre-loaded ready to be swapped with the empty ones. More drivers will...

Founders sell shares in leather company.
September 16, 2005... The founders of David Paine Associates, the British leather upholstery manufacturer, are to sell their shares in the company. David and Jane Paine announced that after 18 years they would take a `well earned break', following David's...

Kings Furnishers to leave Archway.
September 16, 2005... It will be the end of an era for the Archway furniture trade in north London when the last furniture retailer in the neighbourhood shuts its doors at the end of the month. Kings Furnishers, an 85 year-old family business, has had a shop on...

In brief: Cargo clears the way.(Brief Article)
September 16, 2005... Cargo's new HomeShop in Didcot, Oxfordshire includes a floor for clearance lines. The 8,000sqft store in the Orchard Shopping Centre, stocks the autumn/winter range of furniture, home accessories and kitchenware. Discounted and ex-display...

In brief: Cheaper recruitment.
September 16, 2005... The bssa is launching The Retail Link, a specialist company to help cut the cost of recruitment for retailers. The association's members will be given access to the largest recruitment database in Europe and discounts on advertising and...