The International Casual Furnishings Association (ICFA) has entered into a strategic alliance with Nationwide Marketing Group (NMG), Winston-Salem, North Carolina, in a move intended to provide significant new benefits for ICFA’s retail members. NMG has a 45-year history of partnering with its more than 3,500 members operating more than 11,000 stores—with $15 billion in combined sales with leading appliance, furniture, and electronics branded products. Among the services available to ICFA retail members aregroup-buying initiatives, corporate training, high-impact advertising and promotions, and innovative financing.

John Laing, director of business development at NMG, says, “The two groups share the common…

George G. Couri, chair, and Ronald J. Couri, CEO, have announced the appointment of Michael J. Riley as president of Couristan Inc. Riley was most recently president of Oriental Weavers USA.

Couristan, established in 1926, is a leading global manufacturer, importer, and distributor of fine rugs, broadloom, and custom carpets for the residential and hospitality markets. Couristan is privately owned and has been managed by the Couri family for two generations. To support the continued growth of their company, the Couris sought an industry leader with the expertise needed to direct Couristan’s sales and merchandising growth and expand Couristan’s…

Outdoor-furniture manufacturer SunVilla Corp. has appointed Wright Currie vice president of product development and design. Currie will help lead the design and creative direction of SunVilla products. Currie joins the SunVilla team with nine years of experience from Summer Classics and Gabby (Birmingham, Alabama). During his tenure there he led the design, product- development, sourcing, and quality teams. Currie has worked extensively in the outdoor-furniture industry, developing award-winning designs in both contract and specialty categories. Currie will join the SunVilla design team working with Mike Farrell, vice president of design.

Matt Weiss, senior vice president, says, “Wright will…

Homecrest Outdoor Living is excited to announce another industry first: the new five-year residential warranty on its celebrated double-layer sling. Homecrest’s patented sling and padded-sling designs have been among the industry’s most comfortable and durable sling products for decades, and customers can now enjoy the longest consumer warranty protection of any sling or padded sling on the market, the company says.

Homecrest is a company of firsts, from the first adjustable swivel rocker to the creation of Dreamcore™ cushions, all designed to last for decades of enjoyment and superior comfort. Building on the craftsmanship and work ethic of its…

  Veteran furniture-industry executive Derek Ritzel has joined Castelle (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) as CEO, succeeding Steve Lowsky. The change in leadership is the culmination of a long-term transition plan put into place when private equity company New Water Capital acquired family-owned Castelle in July 2015.

Lowsky says, “The Lowsky family started this company in 1978 with just the family, working seven days per week. In 2015, with the change in ownership, my role has been to help transition the company from a family business to a portfolio company of New Water Capital. I have spent the past 20 months…

  Dansons has named Scott Lowe senior vice president of sales. Lowe will be responsible for global sales leadership and growth of the Pit Boss and Louisiana Grills brands, which offer wood-pellet, gas, and charcoal grills; vertical smokers; and kamado-style grills. Dansons also markets a wide variety of barbecue wood pellets, charcoal, sauces, spices, and accessories.

Lowe comes to Dansons from the position of vice president of installing-distributor sales at Hearth & Home Technologies. He brings Dansons 25 years of experience leading sales, distribution, and manufacturing in multiple channels and brands.

Jeff Thiessen, president of Dansons, says, “We…

  Twin-Star International has hired Lori Gonzalez as its new CEO. Twin-Star is recognized for its world-renowned brands: ClassicFlame, Duraflame, ChimneyFree, ClassicFlame Pro, Bell’O, Bell’O Digital, and Powerheat. As an entrepreneurial turnaround business leader for Fortune 500 consumer brands, Gonzalez has experience that spans strategy, business development, profit/loss management, consumer insight, marketing, trade/retail management, product development, direct-to-consumer sales, manufacturing, and Far East supplier development.

From 2008 through 2017, Gonzalez was vice president and general manager at Newell Brands– Jarden Group, a $16 billion global consumer-products company. She was responsible for long-term business strategy, profit/loss management, product-portfolio management, and consumer…

TARRYTOWN, NY - Ultrafabrics®, a leader in the performance fabric industry, today launches three new Ultraleather® Indoor/Outdoor polyurethanes perfectly suited for Residential: Ultraleather Distressed, Ultraleather Pebble, and Ultraleather Pumice.

The new grains, along with Ultraleather Cora Indoor/Outdoor and Ultraleather Promessa® Indoor/Outdoor, deliver a 360-degree experience of unmatched comfort and protection. Designed with the effects of active living and exposure to the elements in mind, the materials repel water and prevent fading and spotting, while providing an EPA-registered defense against mildew, bacteria and other microbes.

When it comes to personal space, consumers require versatile options that are ready to…