Posts Tagged ‘US furniture industry’
Students work in Perennial Wood furniture design studio
Furniture design students at Appalachian State University are getting first-hand experience working with a new real product, Perennial Wood, by participating in the Perennial Wood Appalachian State Design Studio 2012.
Sponsored by Perennial Wood manufacturer Eastman Chemical Co., the design studio provides students with chances to ask questions to wood product experts, learn more about and interact with Perennial Wood, and create and display furniture designs in several different venues. More than 20 students are participating in the design studio, which kicked off in January and concludes in March when students finish their design.
Several students will have the opportunity to display their furniture at High Point Market Week, the furnishing industry trade show, taking place April 21-26, in High Point, N.C. The show’s visitors will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite design, and following the show, a panel of judges will name the overall winner. The student with the winning design will receive a professionally produced video of their project and furniture design for inclusion on the Eastman Innovation Lab website.
“Partnering with Eastman for this design studio not only gives our students the opportunity to work with this exciting new material, but also the experience of contributing to an important product launch,” said Kern Maass, assistant professor in Appalachian State University’s department of technology and environmental design. “They are gaining invaluable experience doing real world design that involves interacting with professionals in design, marketing and communication, with the ultimate goal of developing a product suitable for the marketplace.”
For more information on Perennial Wood, please visit http://www.perennialwood.com/Pages/Home.aspx.
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La-Z-Boy furniture featured on Travel Channel’s ‘Made in America’
Travel Channel’s new show “Made in America” recently filmed its premier episode at the La-Z-Boy furniture manufacturing plant in Siloam Springs, Ark.
George Motz, host of the show, toured the manufacturing facility to showcase what workers at the plant do and assisted them in building a La-Z-Boy recliner.
“The show highlights the quality craftsmanship that goes into building and assembling custom-made La-Z-Boy furniture,” said Kevin Harmon, general manager at the La-Z-Boy plant. ”Our Siloam Springs employees are skilled, hardworking people with a true talent for building furniture and we think audiences will be impressed when they see us in action.”
For more on the episode of “Made in America” that features La-Z-Boy, visit www.travelchannel.com/TV_Shows/Made_In_America.
September furniture orders increase 13 percent from August, survey finds
According to a survey of residential furniture manufacturers and distributors, conducted by Smith Leonard, new orders in September 2011 rose 12 percent over September 2010 orders and are up 13 percent from August 2011.
The Furniture Insights survey shows year-to-date, new orders are up 6 percent in 2011 over the first nine months of last year. Smith Leonard noted that many furniture manufacturers have introduced some price increases, which may have impacted the percentage increase in orders.
Furniture shipments for September were 6 percent higher than September 2010 and also 6 percent higher than August. Year-to-date, shipments are 3 percent higher than in the previous year.
The number of factory and warehouse employees in September was even with August, but dropped 1 percent from September 2010. Factory and warehouse payrolls were up 8 percent from August and up 10 percent from September 2010. The survey says the increased payroll numbers mean employees are getting more hours this year than last, since the number of employees remained relatively flat compared to last year.
The full Furniture Insights survey can be viewed at http://www.smithleonardcpas.com/pdf/fi_nov_2011.pdf.
Indiana Furniture plans furniture manufacturing plant expansion
Indiana Furniture, www.indianafurniture.com, will invest more than $6 million in 2012 to expand one of its furniture manufacturing plants in Japser, Ind.
With the expansion, the company will add 10 jobs over the next four years. The 30,000-square-foot addition is scheduled to be operational by the end of 2012. The Indiana Economic Development Corp. offered the company $100,000 in training grants based on its job creation plans.
“With our long heritage in the Jasper community, coupled with our Midwest values, it’s easy to call Dubois County our home,” said Bret Ackerman, president and CEO of Indiana Furniture. “We continue to focus sharply on the changing needs of our customers. Hiring and training talented people and heavy investment in state-of-the-art technology will allow us to deliver unique and innovative furniture solutions to our clients.”
Hooker Furniture, Furnitureland South donate to Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Hooker Furniture and Furnitureland South jointly presented a check for $1,100 to officials of the N.C. Triad Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The contribution was collected through a month-long charity contest for furniture shoppers, designers and retailers, and a fall High Point Market sweepstakes in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Hooker’s Bedford, Va.-based Sam Moore division custom-produced two modern club chairs covered in a fuchsia pink and green fabric, accented with an ikat kidney pillow. The “Hope” chair was offered as the prize in an online sweepstakes in which both companies jointly made a donation to “Susan G. Komen for the Cure” for each person who became a fan or follower of the two brands via their respective social media channels. A duplicate chair was also displayed in front of the Sam Moore showroom during the international High Point Market in October. The online sweepstakes winner was Mickey Maggiano of Philadelphia, Pa. The winner of the chair on display at the High Point Market was interior designer, Anne Aulbert, of Anne Aulbert Designs in Hillsborough, N.C.
Anna Eichhorn, executive director of the N.C Triad Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, said that 25 percent of the contribution will go directly to finding a cure through breast cancer research “while the balance will be used for breast cancer screening, prevention, education and treatment.”
For more information, visit www.furniturelandsouth.com or www.hookerfurniture.com.
Philadelphia Invitational Furniture Show to be held in March 2012
The Philadelphia Invitational Furniture Show will be held March 23-25, 2012, at a new location at the 23rd Street Armory in Philadelphia.
The Armory is a medieval castle-like structure with natural light to compliment the show’s theme of “Invest in Beauty.” The beneficiary of the 2012 preview party/auction will be CERF+, an organization that supports crafts people in times of need. David Rago of “Antiques Roadshow,” will be the guest auctioneer and commentator.
For more on the Philadelphia Invitational Furniture Show and to see a list of exhibitors, visit www.PhilaIFS.com.
Hooker shows furniture design trends at High Point Market
Hooker's Cache Chest features an elegant gold metallic design, following trends shown at High Point Market 2011.
At the October 2011 High Point Market in North Carolina, Hooker Furniture introduced new furniture style and design trends for 2011. Hooker Furniture says design trends this year include the return of gold’s popularity, soft and warm contemporary design styles, and a Greek motif revival.
Glowing tones like bronze, copper, gold and platinum are making a comeback in furniture. Gold metallics and gold leafing are popular ways to get an elegant, luxurious look. Gold, Hooker says, is easy to mix and match with different colors, metals and woods. Following this trend, the company is featuring its Cache Chest, part of its Mélange Accents collection.
Greek motifs like the Greek key or columns are used on consoles, accents, upholstery and drapery fabrics. According to High Point Market’s Authority trend report, Greek infusion signals “a return to Neoclassic forms but in an updated context.” An example at Hooker is the Odyssey Cabinet in the Mélange collection, which features the Greek key motif on the hardware.
In addition, warm, contemporary furniture is popular. Hooker’s Felton collection includes an upholstered bed with chrome nail head trim. The company says its design merges soft shapes and textures with chic chrome.
To see the company’s full line of furniture, visit www.hookerfurniture.com. For more on High Point Market and other design trends, visit www.highpointmarket.org.
Centure Furniture honored for ‘Made in America’ furniture
Century Furniture was honored as 2011 "Best MADE: In America" company.
Century Furniture was recognized as the 2011 “Best Made: In America” company by Made: In America, a not-for-profit educational organization that works to foster a business climate conducive to free exchange of ideas and information to revitalize and sustain the competitiveness of American commerce and industry.
The annual “Best: Made in America” award recognizes outstanding American-made products and creations.
“Century Furniture had a demonstrated commitment to the highest standards of good corporate citizenship. Throughout an era in which manufacturing has continuously shifted overseas, the company has a 60 plus year track record of ongoing production in the United States and to providing meaningful jobs to American workers. The company is widely recognized for its innovation and leadership within its industry and has received countless honors for community involvement,” said James De Lorbe, chairman and CEO of Made: In America.
To see Century’s “Made in America” furniture, visit www.centuryfurniture.com.
Furniture manufacturers team up for Breast Cancer Awareness month
In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Furnitureland South and Hooker Furniture are joining forces to give away the “Hope Chair” and donate to the North Carolina Triad Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
Furnitureland South is partnering with Sam Moore, a division of Hooker Furniture, to give away a custom-produced chair covered in fuchsia pink and green fabric, accented with a white and fuchsia, ikat kidney pillow. The “Hope Chair” will be offered in an online sweepstakes contest at hookerfurniture.com/pink. In addition, for every “like” on the Hooker Furniture and Furnitureland South Facebook pages or followers of both brands on Twitter, the companies will make a joint contribution of $10 to the NC Triad Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, up to a maximum $5,000. The sweepstakes runs through Oct. 31.
The ”Hope Chair” will be displayed at the entrance to the Sam Moore showroom at the High Point Market.
ISCHP 2011 announces hardwood industry speakers for October conference
The third International Scientific Conference on Hardwood Processing will offer more than 60 presentations with industry expert speakers on topics such as wood processing and technology innovations in October.
Weinig USA’s Mike Anderson and Daniel Dew will present concepts and technologies on mass customization for solid wood processing. J. P. Hildebrand will introduce new innovations in lumber scanning technologies to increase yield and mill performance. Additional industry sessions will cover mass customization using a study from the U.S. furniture industry, and give an update on the global and U.S. hardwood industry trends.
Four invited guest speakers include Mark Barford, president NHLA; Ed Pepke, senior timber trade analyst, European Forest Institute; Alex Finkral, senior forester, The Forest Land Group; and Maud Hinchee, chief technology officer, ArborGen Inc. These speakers will provide additional insights into the status of the industry, markets, certification and the future of the hardwood resource.
ISCHP 2011 will be held in Blacksburg, Va., from Oct. 16-19. For a detailed program overview, please visit www.ischp2011.org.
