Industry Challenges Alaska’s Proposal to Lower Emissions Limit
On February 10, 2014, In Industry News by Staff
In December 2013, a delegation from the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA) traveled to Fairbanks, Alaska, to meet with state and local officials regarding a new proposal to lower the emission limit for wood-burning stoves sold in Fairbanks. Dan Henry (president of Northwest HPBA) and Chris Neufeld (from Blaze King Industries) joined John Crouch (the HPBA’s public-affairs director) onthe trip, which included a gathering of local industry members, as well as briefings with a number of government officials.
The briefings focused on the limitations of the EPA’s test method, including the fact that the method has never predicted…
Department of Energy Rulemaking Could Affect All Hearth Products
On February 10, 2014, In Industry News by Staff
On December 31, 2013, the Department of Energy (DOE) published “Proposed Determination of Hearth Products As Covered Consumer Products” in the Federal Register. The rulemaking seeks to establish coverage over essentially all gas hearth products. The proposed determination has the potential to affect even more products than the rulemakings that the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association successfully challenged in federal court.
Although there are no energy standards directly proposed or put into place by this proposal, the DOE indicates that adoption would be seen as positively determining that future standards might be warranted and should be explored in subsequent…
Boyd Marks Joins Capel Rugs As Sales Manager
On February 10, 2014, In Industry News by Staff
Boyd Marks, a veteran home-furnishings sales representative, has joined Capel Rugs as manager of sales for Alabama and the Panhandle region of Florida. Marks has worked with some of the best-known brands in the Southeast. During his 18 years as a sales representative, he has performed traditional sales duties, overseen product displays, trained sales staff, monitored store operations, and fostered relationships with key accounts throughout his territory.
Allen Robertson, vice president of sales for Capel Rugs, says, “Boyd’s proven success in merchandising, purchasing, and sales made him the ideal candidate for this position. Boyd will enable us to increase…
Lloyd Flanders Opens New Year-round Showroom in Atlanta
On February 10, 2014, In Industry News by Staff
Lloyd Flanders has opened a new showroom at the Gardens of the AmericasMart®in Atlanta, Georgia. The newly designed space opened officially during the January 2014 Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market®and will be open year round. Warren Juliano, vice president andnational sales manager of Lloyd Flanders, says, “We are very excited to be a part of this exciting presentation in Atlanta’s AmericasMart. The Gardens is staffed year around by well-trained professional managers who specialize in serving the region’s design community.”
ICFA Announces 2014 Retail Council Leaders
On February 10, 2014, In Industry News by Staff
The International Casual Furnishings Association (ICFA) has announced that Kristine Schultz-Hutchinson of Patios Plus (Rancho Mirage, California) has been named chair of the organization’s Retail Council for 2014. ICFA membership includes all sectors of the casual-furnishings industry: retailers, manufacturers, suppliers, sales representatives, designers, and media associates. The Retail Council provides leadership for programming and services designed to meet the needs of the industry’s retail stores. Mary Beth Singleton of Tropic Aire Patio Gallery (West Columbia, South Carolina) will serve as vice chair of the council in 2014.
New members joining the council in 2014 are Brad Schweig of Sunnyland…
Treasure Garden’s Rug Tower Display Unit Helps Retailers
On February 10, 2014, In Industry News by Staff
Treasure Garden has introduced an innovative display unit designed to increase sales of its recently introduced line of outdoor rugs. The rug tower display requires a minimum of floor space and is equipped with wheels for mobility, making high product exposure possible, indoors or outdoors. Incorporating a slender verticaltion, the display can accommodate up to six rugs.
Jeff B. Dorough, vice president of Treasure Garden, says, “With 80% of our retail partners adding rugs following the fall markets, the introduction of a display unit was seen as the next step in the overall product line’s marketing. Our retailers are…
Tropitone Expands Its California Headquarters Facility
On February 10, 2014, In Industry News by Staff
Tropitone Furniture Company Inc. has increased its square footage in Irvine, California, by 25%, with a new facility located across the street from its current headquarters and manufacturing facility. The company intends to have the new facility fully operational during the first quarter of 2014.
Cap Hendrix, president and CEO, says, “A critical component of Tropitone’s strategy is to provide a nimble response to continuously evolving customer requirements. In 1970, 16 years after Tropitone began in Sarasota, Florida, we established a facility in Orange County, California, providing the bicoastal presence we enjoy today.”
He explains that the company…
Julia Chappell Assumes Marketing Responsibilities for Casual Industry
On February 10, 2014, In Industry News by Greg Thompson
CHICAGO - Julia Chappell will assume marketing leadership duties for Merchandise Mart’s Casual Furniture and Accessories Market, as well as pre-Market and day-to-day marketing duties for the industry’s permanent showrooms.
A well-known professional in the home furnishings and casual furnishings industries, Julia is a 17-year communications and marketing industry veteran. She has served as managing director, Marketing, for the Design Center at The Merchandise Mart since October 2010.
She is responsible for developing and implementing strategic marketing, communications, and event planning efforts for residential home furnishings in an effort to drive traffic to the 1.5 million square feet…
