Home Textiles Today articles from July 2001

Home Textiles Today archives from July 2001

Showtime has industry seeing red.(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... HIGH POINT, NC -- Red will be the key family as color continues to explode across the home furnishings market. Decorative fabric suppliers launching new lines at Showtime here this week have expanded the role of reds from the regal shades...

BBB culture remains `central' to its success.(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... MORRISTOWN, NJ -- As Bed Bath and Beyond reported another stellar year, the company points to its decentralized set up as the key to its success. "Our stores have changed a lot since the founding," said Warren Eisenberg, co-founder and...

Retail exec Widdess dies at 57.(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... NEW YORK -- Memorial services will be held July 24 for Bob Widdess, 57, who died last week after several years of battling cancer. Widdess, who was most recently vp, home for Macy's by Mail, had been a long-time executive at Strouds....

WPS gets reprieve with $165M financing pact.(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... * But ceo Green loses majority stake as banks seize stock WEST POINT, GA -- Raising enough cash to see it through the next few critical months in a weakened environment for textiles sales, WestPoint Stevens Inc. has completed a $165 million...

LNT makes Schlaepfer first chief merch. officer.(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... CLIFTON, NJ -- Intensifying its efforts to set itself apart in a rapidly evolving retail environment, big-box pioneer Linens 'N Things has hired home furnishings veteran Audrey Schlaepfer as executive vp and its first chief merchandising...

Gehm joins CHF Inds. to lead bed, bath expansion.(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... NEW YORK -- Long-time industry veteran Bob Gehm has joined CHF Industries, where he will head up the rapidly expanding bed and bath operations at a once-troubled company which had virtually been written off, but which has since completed a...

Regal to offer new rug category.(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... NORTH VERNON, IN -- Bath and accent rug manufacturer and importer Regal Design studio, based here, is entering a new category of bath rugs in an attempt to broaden its distribution reach to a new customer. Donna Sandy, design director, said...

DuPont out of polyester staple biz.(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... WILMINGTON, DE -- DuPont will exit the polyester staple business by 2002 as it steps away from the joint venture with Alpek producing polyester staple in the Americas. The venture was formed by the two companies in 1999. Polyester, in...

Pendleton taps industry vet Johnson.(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... PORTLAND, OR -- Gearing up to make a big splash in the wide-open market for adult blankets, century-old Pendleton Woolen Mills has tapped industry veteran Pete Johnson, former ceo of Faribault Woolen Mills, to lead the company's expansion into...

Ames receives financing to propel Back-to-School season.(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... ROCKY HILL, CT -- Setting up a fresh infusion of cash to pay merchandise suppliers and stock its shelves for the Back-to-School season, regional discounter Ames Department Stores said it is finalizing a new $75 million financing pact with...

Cone Mills extends credit agreements.(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... GREENSBORO, NC -- Cone Mills said it has cut a deal with its lenders to extend its existing credit facilities through Nov. 7, 2001. The terms of the amended agreements "are essentially unchanged except for the deferral of scheduled...

Hanover Direct sells part of Improvements to HSN.(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... WEEHAWKEN, NJ -- Hanover Direct Inc. has completed the previously announced sale of some of the assets and liabilities of its Improvements business to HSN, a division of USA Network's Interactive Group, for about $33.4 million. Hanover...

Federated cautions Wall St.(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... CINCINNATI -- With sales and profits both under heavy pressure in a prolonged slump for the nation's department stores, Federated Department Stores Inc. hoisted a yellow caution flag last week, warning Wall Street and investors that...

For the record.(Correction Notice)
July 9, 2001... In the June 25 issue, on page 1, Harvey Kagel's name was misspelled. On the HFPA outing picture page, the company names Amatex and Hoffman Mills were misspelled, as was Chris Wulforst's name. And Tony Riggio is from Richloom, not Milliken. ...

Growing Family Dollar posts record 3Q results.(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... CHARLOTTE, NC -- Even in this slow economy, Family Dollar had its highest sales and earnings for any third quarter and first three quarters for the quarter ended June 2. Discussing its results in a conference call here last week, the...

Elrene signs celebrity chef for kitchen line.(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... NEW YORK -- Elrene Home Fashions, based here, recently entered into a licensing agreement with renowned chef and restaurateur Wolfgang Puck to create a full line of 100 percent cotton table linens and kitchen accessories. The new...

GHF hangs hopes on Indian designer.(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... NEW YORK -- The soft window coverings line of Guilford Home Fashions now has something to hang on. Guilford and designer Michael Arum have signed an agreement for the New York-based home textiles arm of Guilford Mills to market a new...

Todo es taps into power of the Internet.(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... MISSION VIEJO, CA -- For some companies, the Internet is an afterthought. For others, it is an opportunity that has yet to be explored. For still others, it's an over-hyped entity that will never be all it's cracked up to be. For Todo es,...

Brumlow Mills to begin importing.(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... CALHOUN, GA -- Brumlow Mills, historically a domestic manufacturer of tufted bath, accent and area rugs, based here, is branching out into new home textile categories by getting into importing for the first time in its 14-year history. ...

Brumlow Mills adds former Spartan execs.(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... CALHOUN, GA -- Three casualties of the now-defunct Spartan International are back in business and calling Brumlow Mills, based here, their new home. Frank Dwyer has been appointed vp, international sourcing; Gary Kirsh is the new vp,...

TFA, Ta-Bru form joint venture.(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... CARLSTADT, NJ -- Textile Fabric Associates (TFA), based here, and Signa, Italy-based Ta-Bru have formed a joint venture, Environ-Tex, that features natural materials such as cotton, linen and wool mixed with raffia and cellulose. Some of...

Off the charts.(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... How some retailers make up their minds in choosing a new store location is very "exciting." Oy! Vey! My favorite story is the one told me by an executive friend of mine who was with a chain of sports supply emporiums who sold everything from...

Fabrics Today: Timeless elegance.(Quaker Fabric Corp.)(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... Diversity drives Showtime designs Diversity -- in color, texture, design motif, fibers. Look for ethnic in new guises, minimalist contemporary, legacy designs and fun and whimsy. Textures move beyond chenille with sophisticated...

Fabrics Today: Cheerful Creations.(Edgar Textile Industries)(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... Rocco Simone, senior vip, Sunbury: "Lavagna is an Asian-inspired multi-color brocade with dimension created by short and long cuts against a satin ground," rayon/cotton, $19.95. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Brett Rubin, vp, Edgar: "Bolero is...

Fabrics Today: Fresh from the Tropics.(Weave Corp. Weaving Div.)(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... Bea Spires, senior vp, Whitaker: "Orphea, part of our Contemporary Gallery, is afresh and exciting design with a boucle and chenille combination creating an innovative, modern look," acrylic/polyester/rayon/nylon, $13.95. [ILLUSTRATION...

Fabrics Today: Exotic Excitement.(Valdese Weavers Inc.)(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... Deborah Fleming, senior textile designer, Culp Textures: "Exotic themes still play an important design role and Giraffics exemplifies this with the textured `skin-like' damask ground and the giraffes," acrylic/polyester, $7.50. ...

Staying connected.(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... It's time to recharge the batteries. Right now, many in the industry are preparing to head off on a well-deserved vacation. It's been one wild ride so far this year. Time to climb off the roller coaster for a bit, let the sense of vertigo...

European influence.(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... Working through the piles of fabrics that evolved into our Showtime product preview this week, it was a refreshing change to see all the color that is bursting onto the fabric fashion scene. And apparently, no one is more excited about this...

Restoration names new evp, coo.(Restoration Hardware has appointed Tom Bazzone)(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... CORTE MADERA, CA -- Restoration Hardware has appointed Tom Bazzone as evp and coo, effective July 16. He will also join the company's board of directors. In his new position, Bazzone will oversee distribution, systems, inventory...

Hollander boosts bedding.(Hollander Home Fashions announced the hiring of Ron Murphy)(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... BOCA RATON, FL -- Hollander Home Fashions announced the hiring of Ron Murphy to its basic bedding division. Murphy, who comes to Hollander, based here, from Louisville Bedding, will join the company as vp of the division. Part of Murphy's...

HD names marketing dir.(Hunter Douglas Window Fashions has named Norm Malone to its corporate marketing team.)(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... UPPER SADDLE RIVER, NJ -- Hunter Douglas Window Fashions, based here, has named Norm Malone to its corporate marketing team. Malone will join the hard window coverings manufacturer as director of marketing programs. He will report directly...

LFP lays off pillow exec.(Latex Foam Products Inc.; Tom McCain, sales manager)(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... ANSONIA, CT -- The fire that razed the Latex Foam Product manufacturing facility in April has resulted in the layoff of one of the company's sales executives. Tom McCain, sales manager, pillows, for the latex foam manufacturer, was let go...

Crown Crafts buys time with extension of loans.(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... ATLANTA -- Providing Crown Crafts with a little more breathing room, the company's lenders have pushed back the expiration date of the company's loans to Aug. 6 from June 30. Crown Crafts said it and its lenders are working on a longer term...

Housing sales remain strong in May.(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... WASHINGTON -- The numbers from May show that the housing market remains one of the economy's more resilient areas. Sales of both existing and new homes headed northward during May. Resales gained 2.9 percent over their April level,...

Consumer confidence continues its recovery.(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... NEW YORK -- Consumer confidence continued to crawl upwards from the recession-level depths it experienced earlier this year. As provided by The Conference Board, the consumer confidence index rose to 117.9 in June, up from 116.1 in May. The...

June sales fall just shy of target.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 9, 2001... NEW YORK -- Sales at discounters and department stores slowed down somewhat during the fourth week of June, and fell below prior-month levels, but even so are close to plan for the entire month, according to the widely watched Redbook Retail...

Family Dollar 3Q profits climb 6%.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 9, 2001... MATTHEWS, NC -- Third-quarter profits at Family Dollar Stores advanced by 6.9 percent, to $53.5 million from $50.1 million last year, despite sharply higher costs for new store openings, coupled with rising utility and health care expenses. ...

WALL STREET WATCH.
July 9, 2001... Summary for the week ended July 2, 2001 HTT STOCK INDEX(*) Close: 1851.13 Change: 0.99% DOW JONES INDUSTRIALS Close: 10593.72 Change: 0.26% S&P 500 Close: 1236.72 Change: 0.86% ...

Banks take control from WPS' Green.(West-Point Stevens )(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... WEST POINT, GA -- Approaching the final dips and turns in a roller coaster ride since taking control of West-Point Stevens several years ago, chairman and ceo Holcombe Green Jr. is being stripped of his majority control of the major mill after...

Editor's notes.(on Kids Today conference in Tampa, Florida)(Column)
July 9, 2001... What an incredibly informative day and a half you missed last month if you weren't at the Kids Today conference in Tampa. If you were, you can spread the word to all of your colleagues about the wonderful information you gleaned. We pulled...

Statistics indicate older parents, more spending.(Statistical Data Included)
July 9, 2001... High Point -- The number of babies born each year in the United States has hovered between 3.9 and 4.1 million since 1988. According to Department of Agriculture estimates, by the time the baby is 2, parents will have spent between $5,300...

FAO Schwarz opens first two baby stores.(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... New York -- FAO Schwarz has given birth to its first two FAO Baby stores that offer parents and expectant parents home furnishings for infants, toddlers and preschoolers along with a premium selection of toys and apparel. The leading...

20-city mall tour to feature Barbie licensed products.(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... New York -- Better Homes and Gardens magazine has teamed up with Mattel's Girls Division to put on the Better Homes and Gardens Mall Tour, now in its 15th year, to present the World of Barbie." The objective of the program is to raise the...

Former Graco exec starts safety consulting firm.(David Campbell)(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... Westfield Center, Ohio -- A former vice president with Graco Children's Products has left the company to start a safety consulting company for infant and juvenile products. David Campbell, former vice president of engineering, research and...

Boyds expands licensing reach into kids markets.(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... Gettysburg, Penn. -- The Boyds Collection has expanded its licensing program to include the infant and youth markets by entering into three agreements with leading wallcovering, accessories and apparel companies. International...

Chicago `Chair'ity event to benefit AIDS research.
July 9, 2001... Chicago -- Pull up a chair. Better yet, buy a chair. Exhibitors at the July Gift & Home Market here, along with industry publications, have taken plain, wooden children's chairs and transformed them into unique works of art to be auctioned...

JPMA unveils theme, logo for show.(Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association)(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... Mt. Laurel, N.J. -- The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Assn. has unveiled its theme and logo for its 2001 International Juvenile Products Show. The theme, "Baby Business," refers to the increasing significance of the juvenile products...

JPMA elects board of directors.(Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association)(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... Mt. Laurel, N.J. -- The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Assn. has elected its 2001 officers and board of directors members. The new officers are: chairman, Brenda Liistro of Playtex Products; vice chairman, Dale Schipper of Peg Perego USA;...

Universal Interiors opens new showrooms.(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... Riverside, Calif. -- Universal Interiors, an upper-end manufacturer of kids case goods, has opened four new showrooms to expand its reach into the juvenile market. The company started as a manufacturer of casual dining nearly five years...

Rug Market enjoys success in bedding market.
July 9, 2001... Los Angeles -- Having built up its reputation over a number of years as a supplier of hand-made traditional and contemporary rugs, The Rug Market is now trying to make its name in a different market altogether -- juvenile bedding. The...

Rug Market moving to new facility.(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... Los Angeles -- The Rug Market is moving into a new 100,000-square-foot facility in July. The facility will include corporate offices, a warehouse, recreation area including a day care center and gym, and a 6,000-square-foot showroom. ...

BananaFish forms marketing alliance with Sleeping Partners.(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... High Point -- Two children's bedding manufacturers have forged a sales and marketing alliance under which BananaFish will oversee the sales of Sleeping Partners' upscale line to independent specialty stores. The alliance will officially...

McMerty announces retirement from Springs.(Clarence McMerty; Spring Industries Inc.)(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... New York -- Clarence McMerty has announced plans to retire as president of the Baby Products division of Springs Inds. in October. McMerty started his 29-year career in the baby products business with Dundee Mills as a product director in...

WestPoint Stevens to produce Olsen twin textiles line.(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... West Point, Ga. -- In a move to capture a portion of the tween spending power, WestPoint Stevens has signed an agreement with Dualstar Consumer Products to produce a line of textiles under the Mary-Kate and Ashley moniker to be sold at Wal-Mart...

Fandango ro produce kids ceiling fans.(Fandango Furnishings)(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... Lunenburg, Mass. -- Fandango Furnishings has entered the youth market with a line of one-of-a-kind, hand-painted ceiling fans and accessories for the home. The company calls the functional works of art FanGoghs. "We discovered that a...

Correction.(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... Kids Today incorrectly labeled a photograph in the Show Biz section of the May/June issue. The hippopotamus Fuf chair is produced by Comfort Research.

Eyler adds chairman's title at Toys "R" Us.(John Eyler)(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... Paramus, N.J. -- John Eyler, president and chief executive officer of Toys "R" Us assumed the title of chairman of the board at the company's annual shareholder meeting in New York in June. Eyler replaces Michael Goldstein, who previously...

Hope named president at Lea.(-- Lamont Hope has been promoted to president of youth bedroom major Lea Inds)(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... Greensboro, N.C. -- Lamont Hope has been promoted to president of youth bedroom major Lea Inds., succeeding Jesse Brinkley, who has left the company. Hope joined Lea, part of La-Z-Boy's Ladd subsidiary, earlier this year as executive vice...

Two appointed at Whisper Soft Mills.(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... New York -- Vincent DeRosa has been named president of Whisper Soft Mills, and Susan Opalewski has been named vice president of marketing for the company. Prior to joining Whisper Soft Mills, DeRosa was most recently senior vice president...

Longnecker joins Stanley as vice president.(Stanley Furniture)(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... Stanleytown, Va. -- Cabot Longnecker has been named vice president of sales for Stanley Furniture's southern region. In his new position, Longnecker is responsible for sales programs, customer relations and the Stanley sales staff in the 17...

K.I.D.S. donates to McDonald houses.(Kids in Distresses Situations )(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... NEW York -- Kids in Distresses Situations is planning to donate products to 36 Ronald McDonald Houses across the country. K.I.D.S. is working with McDonald's corporate office to make regular donations to the houses in cities where there are...

Kids Today conference 2001.(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... Tampa, Fla. -- A full agenda, with free time built in for networking and conversation, set the stage for the first-ever, Kids Today all-industry conference held here in June. Kids Today pulled together 80 people from the kids home...

USA Baby's Levine provides keynote.(Alan Levine)
July 9, 2001... Tampa, Fla. -- As the founder and president of the successful and expansive USA Baby retail and franchise operation, Alan Levine has seen the business climate change many times and has had to adapt his own strategy several times to accommodate...

Kids a powerful market force.(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... Tampa, Fla. -- When it comes to kids and buying, the 12-and-under crowd is a powerful force to behold considering its $33 billion income and $29 billion spent during 2000. The amazing part is that those figures, presented at the Kids Today...

High-end sports intricate details.(in children's products)(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... High Point -- Hand-painted finishes, intricate details and extraordinary embroidering are elements that distinguish the upper-end of the kids business from the masses. Manufacturers and retailers of high-end products continue to report...

Youth furniture more than just beds.
July 9, 2001... High Point -- Furnishing a child's room takes more than a bed and dresser, and manufacturers have plenty of other items to offer. A popular option is a youth desk -- either a small one sufficient for doing homework or a larger model made to...

New products on tap at summer shows.(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... High Point -- The summer markets are in full swing, and manufacturers of kids products have armloads of new products for retailers. An abundance of rugs, creative decorative accessories and new furniture items geared toward the youth...

Kids executives highlight the positive.(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... High Point -- It's tempting, based on all the red ink on the first quarter 2001 edition of Kids Today's quarterly scorecard, to just skip over the quarter and look ahead to better times. However, inside the numbers is the story of what...

Potterybarnkids.com goes live.(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... San Francisco -- Since its birth in 1999, Pottery Barn Kids' rapidly growing catalog business has continued to bounce off the growth chart. With the immediate popularity of the catalog that features whimsical, stylish furnishings for...

Babies `R'Us, Amazon open joint online store.(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... Fort Lee, N.J. -- Following in the footsteps of its parent, Babiesrus.com has launched its new Web site partnered with Amazon.com. The deal, announced last August, came to fruition in May. The move is the latest offspring of the...

Century recalls 650,000 strollers.(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... Macedonia, Ohio -- Century, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission, is recalling about 650,000 strollers because of a defect that may cause them to collapse unexpectedly. Five models of Century strollers, sold at...

Fisher-Price fined $1.1 million for not reporting defects.(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... East Aurora, N.Y. -- Toy manufacturer and juvenile gear producer Fisher-Price has agreed to pay a civil penalty of $1.1 million to settle charges by the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission that it failed to report serious defects with...

Kolcraft.(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... The Jeep Grand Cherokee All-Terrain Stroller from Kolcraft features over-sized wheels with rugged suspension and offers one-hand folding and easy steering.

Learning Curve International.(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... Part of Learning Curve International's Bath Time line, the Mama and Baby bath mitts include a mom and a baby and are available in a choice of octopus, starfish and these fun fish.

The Essex Collection.(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... Fun and whimsical, this creative frog lamp from The Essex Collection offers a spark for imagination to any child's room.

The Boyds Collection.(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... Part of the new Huggle-Fluffs collection from The Boyds Collection, Poochie, a floppy-eared puppy, is soft, loveable and washable.

CHF Inds.(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... Part of the Bedtime Butterfly collection from CHF Inds., these comfy shaped pillows provide a cozy place to relax.

D.L. Rhein.(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... Mia's Miracle Blanket from D.L. Rhein is of silk charmeuse and velvet for a sumptuous, comforting feel and retails for $90.

Watercolors.(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... Brilliantly colored sailboats take to the water in this creative image from Watercolors

Northern Concepts International.(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... A creative art center, this unit from Northern Concepts International combines storage and work space.

Decorative Designs.(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... The Surprise Sunflower table and chair set from Decorative Designs features a chalkboard center for creating original artwork.

Stephan Enterprises.(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... A polar fleece blanket, a stuffed animal and an inspirational book make up a complete gift set from Stephan Enterprises to retail at $35.

Brewster Wallcovering.(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... Part of the Whizz Kids collection of wallpaper from Brewster Wallcovering, this duck motif offers a bright solution to bed or bath.

CoCalo.(Brief Article)
July 9, 2001... CoCaLo's Aubergine collection is shown in a vintage calico combination for a hand-sewn feel.