Home Textiles Today articles from March 2003

Home Textiles Today archives from March 2003

Throws a new pitch for Croscill.
March 3, 2003... DURHAM, NC -- Croscill is looking to re-energize growth by working the formula that propeled top-line gains for the $309 million company through though late `90s and into the early `00s. During its semi-annual, pre-market style-out here,...

Home businesses shine to the Maxx.(TJX Companies HomeGoods )
March 3, 2003... FRAMINGHAM, MA -- TJX Companies HomeGoods chain has largely flower under the radar sincce its 1992 launch but that low profile is becoming harder to maintain as it consistently blasts past its targets. In the meantime, TJX's home fashions...

A foundering Spiegel races for life.
March 3, 2003... DOWNERS GROVE, IL -- TWO years after assuming the helm, Spiegel's president, chairman and ceo Martin Zaepfel retired suddenly last week, handing over the reins to William Kosturos, a managing director at Alvarez & Marshal Inc., a turnaround and...

Owen finds Springs in its step.(Springs Industries Inc. will acquire Charles D. Owen Mfg.)
March 3, 2003... FORT MILL, SC -- In yet another sea change for an American blanket industry roiled by turmoil in recent years, increasingly acquisitive textiles titan Springs Industries Inc. has cut a deal to buy blanket producer Charles D. Owen Mfg., which...

Mark Grand joins PHI.( PHI, formerly Peking Handicraft)(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- Mark Grand will join PHI, formerly Peking Handicraft, in the newly created position of coo. In this capacity he will be responsible for running most aspects of the companies U.S. operations. He reports to Dicky Lo,...

Kaltex deal will alter Revman biz.(Grupo Kaltex of Juarez, Mexico)(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... NEW YORK -- Grupo Kaltex, the Juarez, Mexico-based textiles manufacturer that last month took a majority stake in Revman Industries, will leverage its new affiliation as an entry vehicle to U.S. markets. While the acquisition should financially...

Federated to heat up Atlanta market.
March 3, 2003... CINCINNATI -- Federated's "reinvent" initiative, incorporating more customer-friendly shopping features, such as centralized checkouts, shopping carts and price checkers in stores, this year will focus on the Atlanta market, as 18 or 19 former...

Free-thinking, flexible Pier 1 on fast-track.(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... NEW YORK -- With a flexible footprint, a compatibility with its competitors, and an easier store-opening process than larger boxes, Pier 1 Imports sees a positive future ahead, with sustainable top-line growth of 13 percent to 15 percent over...

Lundgren ascends.(Terry Lundgren becomes CEO of Fedrated Department Stores )(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... CINCINNATI -- Terry Lundgren, president, coo and chief merchandising officer of Federated Department Stores, has succeeded James Zimmerman as ceo. The transition was long anticipated and planned. Zimmerman will remain chairman of the...

Home centers fighting turf wars: The Home Depot: home improvement warehouse.(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... ATLANTA -- With Home Depot's market penetration ranging from 3 percent to 20 percent in the 145 markets where it does business, company executives last week said that even in the most mature markets there are opportunities for growth. In...

Home centers fighting turf wars: Lowe's[R].(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... WILKESBORO, NC -- Focused on major market entries, Lowe's now has 22 percent of its stores in the nation's 25 largest markets, and more than half in the top 100 according to Robert executive vp and cfo. Moreover, Lowe's plans 15 to 16...

Williams-Sonoma multi-brands.
March 3, 2003... NEW YORK -- Williams-Sonoma will push its multi-brand, multi-channel retail market strategy to the precipice, continuing to test new vehicles and concepts for its highly segmented--and increasingly diverse--customer base. Those efforts...

LNT won't play down.(Linens `n Things )(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... NEW YORK -- Though its quality is "significantly higher," Linens `n Things will not be undersold on like items by mass merchants, Bill Giles, cfo, told investors at the Bear Stearns' retail conference last week. If the consumer wants a...

Retailers goose opening prices. (2003 Market Basket Report).
March 3, 2003... NEW YORK -- The lower have gone higher. Results from Home Textiles Today's second annual Market Basket Survey suggest that retailers have made a relative retreat from last year's heavily promotional environment--at least where a comparison of...

Growing sales grace table linens as retail market share shifts. (The facts: table linens).
March 3, 2003... NEW YORK -- Sales of table linens last year grew 5.8 percent, to $603 million, driven largely by continued strength in licensing, design innovation and aggressive retail pricing, according to exclusive market research by Home Textiles Today....

Multi-packs push towels; soak up kitchen textiles sales. (The facts: kitchen textiles).
March 3, 2003... NEW YORK -- It's all about price. Department stores tacitly surrendered market share in kitchen textiles last year while variety/closeout operators and off-price chains gained in the category, exclusive research by Home Textiles Today revealed....

Sure Fit hires sales vp, marketing director.(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... * Merch product mgr. also promoted ALLENTOWN, PA -- Sure Fit Inc. announced the addition of two employees, Michael Lauri and David Spain, as the vp of sales and director of sales and marketing, respectively, and the promotion of a third...

Kea Capel starts own company. (People Today).(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... PINEHURST, NC--After 16 years at Capel Inc. working for her father and two uncles, Kea Capel has resigned to launch her own rug and textiles company, Kea Capel Inc., along with a silent partner. Capel said she owns "a significant portion"...

FIT awards set for April. (People Today).(Fashion Institute of Technology)(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... NEW YORK -- Mohawk Home president Bill Kilbride will receive the Industry Leader of the Year Award, and BJ's Wholesale Club executive vp Laura Sen will receive the Retailer of the Year Award from the Fashion Institute of Technology next month....

New president picked at Peacock Alley. (People Today).(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... DALLAS -- Fine linen manufacturer and importer Peacock Alley has named Jason Needleman as president, reporting to Mary Ella Gabler, founder and ceo, who formerly also held the president title. He will be responsible for the overall business...

Brunton names Sloane vp. (People Today).(Brunton International Inc., Harvey Sloane)(Business Brief)
March 3, 2003... DALLAS -- Industry veteran Harvey Sloane has been named vp of sales for Brunton International Inc., an importer and manufacturer of throws and pillows. Sloane's career encompasses executive positions with Vendome Exclusives, Crystal Creations,...

ShopKo exec promoted. (People Today).(James Kratowicz )(Business Brief)
March 3, 2003... GREEN BAY, WI -- James Kratowicz has been promoted to vp, pricing, consumer information resources and e-commerce for the ShopKo division of ShopKo Stores, the company announced last week. Kratowicz has been with the company since 1989,...

Virtual hide 'n seek. (Opinion Today).(consumers try to use internet to find textiles for home)
March 3, 2003... A couple of months ago, the Internet management department at our publishing company did one of those clever things folks in such departments are always initiating without letting anybody else know about it. They raised HTT's profile on several...

Upping the ante. (Opinion Today).(Furniture Today magazine survey on buying trends in home textiles)
March 3, 2003... It's amazing. You never know where information concerning home textiles will pop up. Last week's extensive "Consumer Buying Trends" study in HTT's sister publication Furniture Today produced some really interesting information-in a few...

Down Lite in Biltmore estate license.(Biltmore Estate For Your Home licensing agreement with Down Lite International)
March 3, 2003... ASHEVILLE, NC -- The Biltmore Estate For Your Home line of branded products is expanding into down- and feather-based products through a licensing agreement with Down Lite International. The Mason, OH-based Down Lite will introduce four...

Lowe's profit up 46.2% in 4Q. (Business Today).(Lowe's Companies Inc.)
March 3, 2003... WILKESBORO, NC -- Boosting sales and building margins, both at a rapid pace, home improvement retailer Lowe's Companies drove fourth-quarter profits up by 46.2 percent, far higher than expected, to $$319.4 million from $218.4 million last year....

Winter weather freezes same-stores. (Business Today).(Feb 2003 winter storms in northeast US affect retail sales)(Industry Trend or Event)
March 3, 2003... NEW YORK -- Hammered by winter storms that swept across much of the nation, shutting in consumers and shutting down malls, same-store retail sales staggered down by 2.6 percent during the third week of February, with full-price department...

Confidence levels slump to 10-year low. (Business Today).(Conference Board reports drop in consumer confidence)
March 3, 2003... NEW YORK -- With Americans spooked by war talk, concerned about their jobs, rattled by an unsettled stock market and now paying higher prices at the gas pump, consumer confidence went into a freefall in February, plunging to its lowest level in...

TJX Cos. brings sales up, but profit slips in 4Q. (Business Today).(TJX Companies Inc.)
March 3, 2003... FRAMINGHAM, MA -- With costs climbing higher and margins thinning out, fourth-quarter profits at The TJX Companies slipped by 0.7 percent despite a solid 9.2 percent increase in sales and a deep cut in interest expense. Profits came in at...

Dan River to up spending. (Business Today).(Dan River Inc. capital spending)(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... DANVILLE, VA -- Reversing a long industrywide trend of slowed capital spending, Dan River Inc. said it plans to boost its capital outlays by as much as 85 percent this year. In a recent 10-K federal filing, the nation's fifth-largest home...

Federated ups income, guidance. (Business Today).(Federated Department Stores Inc.)
March 3, 2003... CINCINNATI -- Rebounding from a deep loss a year ago as it piled up charges tied to the sale of its troubled Fingerhut unit, Federated Department Stores Inc. recorded a fourth-quarter profit of $321 million vs. a year-ago deficit of $447...

Home Depot leaks sales, profit in 4Q. (Business Today).(Home Depot Inc. )
March 3, 2003... ATLANTA -- The Home Depot Inc. reported that sales and profits both declined during the fourth quarter, stunted by one less week of sales than last year, and wilting under the heat of stepped-up pressure from Lowe's, which is muscling into key...

Wall Street watch: summary for the week ended February 27, 2003. (Business Today).
March 3, 2003... HTT STOCK INDEX * Close: 2094.13 Change: -0.04% DOW JONES INDUSTRIALS Close: 7884.99 Change: -0.38% S&P 500 Close: 837.28 Change: 0.02% NASDAQ INDUSTRIAL Close: 1323.96 Change: -0.55%...

Editor's notes.(new developments at the Toy Fair )
March 3, 2003... Attending Toy Fair in the middle of two feet of snow has to be one of the most interesting experiences in my time with Kids Today. Sloshing my way cross-town (there were no cabs to be had in New York), through piles of dirty snow was not the...

Specialty store operations report: product mix. (By the Numbers).(Kids Today report)
March 3, 2003... Greensboro, N.C. -- Kids specialty stores have a wide variety of product meant to draw customers into their stores. Across the board, space allocation tracks revenue generation very closely according to information gathered by Kids Today. ...

Advertising and promotions. (By the Numbers).(kids specialty retailers )(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... Kids specialty retailers allocate a median of 5% of sales to their advertising and promotions efforts. This is similar to the advertising allocations made by furniture stores; home accents stores devote slightly more (8 %). For half of...

Behind the numbers. (By the Numbers).(Kids Today survey)(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... In this exclusive survey of kids specialty retailers, Kids Today looks at the merchandise mix by major category, comparing space allocation to dollar sales, as well as more specific information on the percentage of retailer that carry each...

Riverside unveilinq major licensed line `Inch By Inch' Imaginations collection coming in April. (Licensing).(Riverside Furniture Corp., Imaginations Youth, furniture )
March 3, 2003... Fort Smith, Ark. -- Riverside Furniture is launching a major new licensed collection for kids at the High Point market. Called Imaginations Youth, the furniture is based on the popular "Inch By Inch" children's book series, which feature a...

My Little Pony returning in force. (Licensing).(Hasbro Inc.)(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... Pawtucket, R.I. -- Hasbro is bringing My Little Pony back to the shelves, with an extensive launch of licensed products and a big marketing push this year. Springs Inds. is producing a line of bedding, including a comforter and sheet sets,...

CoCaLo partners with Target for nursery bedding products. (Licensing).(CoCaLo Inc., Target Corp., Expectations by Martex )(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... Costa Mesa, Calif. -- Textile manufacturer CoCaLo has launched a new brand of licensed bedding, dubbed Expectations by Martex, which is available exclusively at Target. The line was rolled out to Target stores at the end of January, and...

Applause to produce Simpsons plush. (Licensing).(Applause L.L.C. agreement with Twentieth Century Fox Licensing and Merchandising Corp.)(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... Woodland Hills, Calif. -- Toy and gift manufacturer Applause is producing a new line of The Simpsons plush dolls in agreement with Fox Licensing & Merchandising. Applause also has exclusive international distribution rights for the dolls. ...

Blue Jean Teddy expands product. (Licensing).(Art Impressions signs new licensees )(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... Canoga Park, Calif. -- The popular Blue Jean Teddy will be appearing on a wide variety of infant and youth products, thanks to a number of new licensing agreements. Art Impressions, the intellectual property development manager for Blue...

Starlite Originals to release Disney sculptures. (Licensing).(Starlite Originals L.L.C., Walt Disney Art Classics)(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... Studio City, Calif. -- Collectibles maker Starlite Originals will produce a new line of Disney character sculptures in conjunction with Walt Disney Art Classics. The company will show the new collection at the Rosemount Collectibles Show in...

Revman adds bath to Laura Ashley juvenile. (Licensing).(Revman Industries Inc., bath accessories )(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... New York -- Revman Inds. has added bath accessories to two of its Laura Ashley juvenile collections, Outerspace and Fun Fairies. Shannon Sheridan, public relations representative for Revman, said the company expanded its line of juvenile...

CINAR named licensing agent for Arthur in Canada. (Licensing).(Cinar Corp.; children's book, television character )
March 3, 2003... Montreal -- CINAR Corp. has been named the licensing agent in Canada for all merchandise relating to the children's book and television character Arthur. CINAR also produces the television show in conjunction with WGBH/Boston. "It was a...

Small Fry Design offering gift sets from author Mallet. (Licensing).(Kathy Mallet)(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... Santa Ana, Calif. -- Small Fry Design is producing a new line of gifts called Book N Blanket, Read to Me Series. The gift items will feature a Hugs N Cuddles security blanket packaged with a children's storybook from author Kathy Mallet....

`Tiny Planets' signs licensing agent. (Licensing).(L&G Licensing+)
March 3, 2003... Pacific Palisades, Calif. -- L & G Licensing+ was named the licensing agency for the United States for the preschool television series "Tiny Planets" in January. The television show is created by U.K.-based Pepper's Ghost Productions and...

4Kids, AKC sign licensing deal. (Licensing).(4Kids Entertainment Inc., American Kennel Club)(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... New York -- 4Kids Entertainment and the American Kennel Club have signed an agreement that makes 4Kids the exclusive licensing representative for children's toys. The top priority for the campaign will be the creation of a plush program...

FAO files reorganization plan. (News Watch).(FAO Inc. )
March 3, 2003... King of Prussia, Pa. -- FAO, Inc. filed its bankruptcy reorganization plan in February, and some leading suppliers say they are optimistic that the company will survive. According to the plan, FAO has assets totaling $257.9 million and...

Kids Today conference on tLauderdale, Flaap in June. (News Watch).(Fort Lauderdale, Florida)(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... Greensboro, N.C. -- The 2002 Kids Today conference will be held June 4-6 at the Lago Mar Resort & Club in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. This year's theme, "Playing to Win," brings together speakers and panelists who will tackle important issues...

First Rooms to Dream store opens. (News Watch).(P.J. Kids licenses name of Rooms to Dream line)
March 3, 2003... Corpus Christi, Texas -- P.J. Kids has licensed the name of its Rooms to Dream line for the retail furniture business, and the first licensed Rooms to Dream store opened here on Feb. 8. Owned by Carter Green, who also owns an Ashley...

JPMA, AISS in talks to combine shows. (News Watch).(Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association, Association of Independent Specialty Stores, Juvenile Expo)
March 3, 2003... Mt. Laurel, N.J. -- The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Assn. and the Assn. of Independent Specialty Stores have held talks to explore the option of JPMA acquiring the rights to the AISS Juvenile Expo. The result would be one combined show,...

Dorel acquires French producer Ampa. (News Watch).(Dorel Industries Inc., Ampa Group)
March 3, 2003... Montreal -- With its recent acquisition of the Ampa Group, a French producer of juvenile products, Dorel Inds. has claimed the bragging rights as the world's largest producer of juvenile products. According to Rick Leckner, a company...

Kathy Ireland, Standard form brand-management company. (News Watch).(Kathy Ireland Worldwide, Standard Furniture Manufacturing Co., Home Brands Inc.)
March 3, 2003... Los Angeles -- Standard Furniture and Kathy Ireland Worldwide have formed a brand-management company called Home Brands Inc. A soft economy led to lower sales in 2002 for much of the home furnishings industry. However, for the companies who...

Toys `R' Us eliminates management positions. (News Watch).(Toys "R" Us Inc.)(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... Paramus, N.J. -- Toys "R" Us announced in January that it eliminated 700 store management and supervisory positions in an effort to reallocate labor in 400 of its 686 Toys "R" Us stores in the United States. The company eliminated mostly...

Comfort Research opens plant, expands line. (News Watch).(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... Grand Rapids, Mich. -- Comfort Research, manufacturer of the Foof Chair, has opened a new 15,000-square-foot plant here. The company previously outsourced its manufacturing to an 8,000-square-foot facility in Mississippi, said Chip George,...

Learning Curve merges with Racing Champions Ertl. (News Watch).(Learning Curve International, Racing Champions Ertl Corp.)
March 3, 2003... Chicago -- Developmental toy company Learning Curve International has merged with collectibles manufacturer Racing Champions Ertl Corporation. The agreement is expected to close by March 15. John W. Lee, president of Learning Curve, said...

New company, Jeeto! launches with prints. (News Watch).(Animal Kingdom Collection)(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... Los Angeles -- Design company Jeeto! launched in January with a collection of triple silk-screened art for children's rooms called The Animal Kingdom Collection. The current collection features animals drawn in bold colors and simple...

Toy Industry Assn. names three to new posts. (People around the industry).(Toy Industry Association)(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... New York -- Three executives have been named to newly created positions at the Toy Industry Assn. Joining the TIA are Robert S. O'Keefe, vice president of marketing, and Gary S. Klein, senior vice president of government, legal and...

Warner Bros. names Torres new GM of Mexico office. (People around the industry).(Warner Bros. Consumer Products, Manuel Torres named general manager)(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... Burbank, Calif. -- Manuel Torres has been named general manager of the Warner Bros. Consumer Products offices in Mexico. Torres will manage the day-to-day operations of the office, while overseeing the development and implementation of...

Pedro Capo named president of NHFA. (People around the industry).(National Home Furnishings Association)(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... Miami -- Pedro Capo, chief operations officer and corporate secretary of El Dorado Furniture, is the new 2003 President of the National Home Furnishings Association, the largest retail home furnishings association in the United States. ...

Bombay Kids growing up quickly: first-year success leads to further expansion plans. (Up Close).(Bombay Company Inc.)
March 3, 2003... Fort Worth, Texas -- It's only been a year since the first Bombay Kids store opened in Dallas, but the company has already launched four more stores and says it will have a total of 35 units up and running by year's end. And if all goes...

Youth bedroom--styles for any taste. (Up Close).(multiple companies)
March 3, 2003... While it's hard to pin down trends in the expansive youth bedroom arena, certain style directions seem to be coming on especially strong. Cottage looks have been leading the pack in the last year, but also noteworthy is the resurgence of...

Toy fair offers fun things for toddlers to tweens. (Show Biz).(multiple companies)
March 3, 2003... Folkmanis introduced its My First 123 Puppets, a soft book with three-dimensional characters designed to teach numbers. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Flatsos series from North American Bear Co. includes the Flatopotamus, available in...

Retailers take smaller hit on market cap. (Departments).(market capitalization )
March 3, 2003... Greensboro, N.C. -- In last month's edition of the scorecard, Kids Today looked at market capitalization of the publicly-held vendors in the juvenile home furnishings industry. In this edition, Kids Today reviews the publicly-traded retailers...

Market capitalization. (Departments).
March 3, 2003... Market capitalization Dollars and number of shares in millions 2002 market change since 2000 Company capitalization net change % change ShopKo Stores ...

Industry calendar. (Departments).(Calendar)
March 3, 2003... MARCH 1-3 Tampa Furniture & Accessory Market, Tampa Convention Center, Tampa, Fla., (305) 792-9990. 28-4/4 Spring Textiles Market, Jacob K. Javits Convention ...

Child restraint use rises to record high level. (NHTSA news).(U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration survey)
March 3, 2003... Washington -- Restraint use among young children rose to a record level in 2002, according to estimates from a major survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. An estimated...

Products on parade. (Furniture Lamps & Accessories Textiles Playthings Gear).(multiple companies)
March 3, 2003... All Things Creative recently introduced this hand-painted cradle, available with custom painting. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Royal Doulton's Peter On His Book features the mischievous rabbit, dressed in his pale blue coat, atop his book....

Kmart searches for `stability' in its base.(customer base)
March 10, 2003... NEW YORK -- Kmart will rebuild its business by focusing on a high/low pricing strategy, emphasizing return on assets, pushing greater responsibility toward field managers and leveraging its data systems to better control costs, president and...

Veratex in solid-color towel deal.(licensing agreement with Christy USA)(Brief Article)
March 10, 2003... CITY OF INDUSTRY, CA -- Seeking to expand its branded presence in bath, Veratex has signed a licensing agreement with Christy USA, extending its Medici bedding brand to solid-color towels. Bath towels, bath sheets, hand towels, wash cloths...

Kohl's rocks into California. (Coast-to-coast).
March 10, 2003... LA HABRA, CA -- Kohl's shook up the assortment for its 28-store California debut last week. Overall, nearly one-third of the merchandise is unique to the West Coast operation, and the ratio of targeted product runs even higher in some home...

Snowy drifts buried shoppers' will to spend.(retail losses in February)(Illustration)
March 10, 2003... NEW YORK -- What consumers were doing in February? Shoveling snow, fretting about all the war talk and watching the stock markets heading south once again. What they weren't doing? Shopping. With Americans snowed in and increasingly wary,...

Kohl's adds table linen buyer. (Retail briefs).(Debbie Rowland)(Brief Article)
March 10, 2003... Kohl's buying office recently added Debbie Rowland, formerly in a planning position at the company, into the slot of table linens buyer. Carol Knuth, who had been in that position, is now manager, e-commerce content.

Compensation cuts Costco; home store `encouraging'. (Retail briefs).(Costco Wholesale profits hurt by workers' compensation claims)(Brief Article)
March 10, 2003... Costco Wholesale today reported a 5 percent drop in second quarter profits, including a $26 million pre-tax charge for rising workers' compensation claims, particularly in California. New compensation laws in California are "abusive,"...

Jay Franco recruits G.I. Joe for bath line.(Hasbro Inc. licensing deal with Jay Franco & Sons)(Brief Article)
March 10, 2003... NEW YORK -- Hasbro Inc.'s consumer products division signed up with juvenile bedding and bath supplier Jay Franco & Sons to develop a line of beach towels, bath towels, shower curtains, bath rugs and bathroom accessories for the toy company's...

Cwirko out as Mohawk shuffles sales. (Sweeping changes).(vp Kathleen Cwirko resigns, Mohawk Home restructuring)(Brief Article)
March 10, 2003... SUGAR VALLEY, GA -- Mohawk Home is restructuring its national sales force following the departure of national accounts vp Kathleen Cwirko after barely a year in that post. The company said last week that Theresa Riley has been named to...

Dillard's turnaround suffers setback.(profits data)
March 10, 2003... LITTLE ROCK, AR -- After showing signs of staging a comeback earlier in the year--after the earlier buyout of Mercantile Stores forced the company off the tracks--department store retailer Dillard's Inc. stumbled and fell during the all...

Springs to appeal Blind Maker ruling.(commercial fraud judgment)(Brief Article)
March 10, 2003... AUSTIN, TX -- Springs' Window Fashions division last week said it would file an appeal to a Texas civil court judgment awarding $7.3 million to The Blind Maker Inc. for commercial fraud. The verdict was handed up by a Travis County District...

For the record.(Correction Notice)
March 10, 2003... Kea Capel Inc. will not be sharing showroom space with Homemaker Industries at the upcoming New York Home Textiles Market, as reported in the March 3 issue of HTT. Homemaker will be displaying braided rugs designed by Kea Capel but sold under...

Longtime execs launch towel biz. (Towels, Towels, Towels).(Michael Babish, Greg Johnson, Steve Shapiro)
March 10, 2003... LOS ANGELES -- A group of industry veterans--colleagues and friends for more than 27 years--recently got together to create the new embellished towel company dubbed Towels, Towels, Towels. Michael Babish, formerly of Pillowtex, Greg...

Sure Fit building up from slipcover roots.(decorative pillows introduced)(Brief Article)
March 10, 2003... ALLENTOWN, PA -- Further broadening its business from its slipcover base, Sure Fit has introduced decorative pillows. The market leader in ready-made slipcovers already has decorative pillows that directly tie back to several of its...

Martin leaves WPS to form own company.(Anne Martin resigns from WestPoint Stevens to form Anne Martin Marketing Communications)(Brief Article)
March 10, 2003... NEW YORK -- Anne Martin has left WestPoint Stevens to form Anne Martin Marketing Communications, a public relations and Web site development company specializing in home furnishings. The firm, with offices here and in Greenville, SC, will...

Biederlack taps three for product slots.(Tony Durham, Michelle Harrison, Roberta Mizack appointed at Biederlack of America)(Brief Article)
March 10, 2003... CUMBERLAND, MD -- Biederlack of America has named Tony Durham production and manufacturing chief, a new position for this supplier of blankets and throws. In the new post, he will be responsible for all domestic production and will oversee...