INDUSTRY UPDATES

Increase In Sponsorships Allow FAI Members To Attend Monday Conference Workshops At No Charge

This year sponsorship donations rose significantly for the Futon Expo and Specialty Sleep Show to be held March 15-18, 1999 in Las Vegas. Every year companies who manufacture futon products, as well as suppliers of materials used in that manufacturing process give generously to subsidize many of the events that take place at the Futon Association’s annual Expo. This year, with the cooperative effort of the Specialty Sleep Association and its members the Expo’s funding has increased enough to offer Monday conference workshops free to both association’s members.

The Futon Association and the Specialty Sleep Association would like to thank this year’s sponsors for providing both memberships with this extra benefit, and for their continued support in underwriting Expo events including the exciting annual banquet, the preview party, the shuttle busses, the tote bags, and the annual meeting refreshments. We salute the following companies: Gold Bond Mattress, S.I.S. Covers, Simmons Company (Gold Level Sponsors at $3500), Color-Tex International, Halcyon Waterspring, Futon Life (Silver Level Sponsors at $2000), August Lotz Co., Big Tree Furniture, Blue Magic, Cotton Works, Custom Design, Elite Furntiure, Harlee International, Land And Sky, Omni Softgoods, Otis Bed Mfg., Quaker Fabric Corp., Rocheux International, Sleep 2000, Wm. T. Burnett & Co., Wolf Corp. (Bronze Level Sponsors at $1000), Richloom Fabrics Corp. (Donor Level Sponsor at $500).

For more information, contact Tambra Jones at the Expo office, 1-559-661-0249.

The Bedworks Expands Bed Frame Collection

The Bedworks, of Bangor Maine, has introduced two new frames to their platform bed collection. “Our new Standish featuring a bookcase headboard, and the Yarmouth, our mission style posted bed, are beautifully designed and feature solid ash construction,” said Janet Moran, The Bedworks’ spokesperson.

Each frame is available from twin to king size in all the finishes the company produces. “Even better,” says Moran, “you can now order these beds to be used with both futon mattresses and the more traditional innerspring mattress and boxspring units sold in furniture and bedding stores everywhere.”

In fact The Bedworks has reproportioned their entire line of bed styles to accomodate traditional style mattress units. “These beds will come with wooden rails, slats, and center legs, and are ready to set up with no need to source any other components,” she said.

For more information contact The Bedworks at 1-207-947-1516.

Lofabed Now Available in Loveseat, Twin, and Chair Sizes.... All with Ottomans!

Sometimes the answer to a problem is just so obvious, it’s almost painful! Such was the case with Danabel, makers of the LofaBed futon/davenport, when they set about designing a loveseat version of their full-sized model. According to Mitch Wapen of Lofa Sales, “They worked feverishly to develop the perfect product. Hidden extension and cushion, recessed mechanism, foldout legs.... the whole nine yards.” The only problem was that when it was finished, it was just too complicated to operate! Back to the drawing board.

Looking to the furniture industry for guidance, Danabel turned next to a tried and true winner: the ottoman. The loveseat reality was accomplished by reducing the full-sized LofaBed from 75 to 54 inches, and adding a 21x54 inch ottoman. The retailer can now offer the customer the option of sleeping “east-west” (full size) or “north-south,” (loveseat) like a traditional sofabed. The loveseat and ottoman are kept together in the bed position by a fitted sheet, and can be separated, as needed, when in the sofabed position. And, because of the simplicity of the design, there’s nothing to go wrong or to confuse the customer. “Everything that works so well with the original,” according to Wapen, “is incorporated into the loveseat....with the additional benefit that now we have an upholstered sofa sleeper available in four sizes, six arms, and a bunch of fabrics!

The ottoman design is very basic. It consists of a loveseat, twin, or chair upholstered base, which is recessed on top to prevent the 8” matching futon from sliding off. When the ottoman is pushed against the accompanying LofaBed base, it turns into a standard full (54”x75”), twin (39”x75”), or chair (28”x75”) mattress. “This is the product people turn to when they’ve had it with Hide-A-Beds and, for whatever reason, don’t think that futon furniture fits their decor,” says Wapen.

For more information on the LofaBed and its three new sizes, call Mitch Wapen at (450) 424-1431, or visit the Lofa Sales International booth (#362) March 15-18 at the Futon Expo in Las Vegas.

Wolf Corporation at High Point

Wolf Corporation in conjunction with Omni Softgoods and Lifestyle Solutions by Elite Furniture, has announced its location for Spring Market at High Point. Showrooms for the three companies will again be located in the I.H.P.C. Main Building in space M001, the former Press Center. To reach the showrooms use the Main Street entrance. Doors to the showroom are located on the right side of the corridor near the Wrenn Street exit, next to Barlow Tyrie, and Clark Casual Furniture.

For more information contact Wolf Corporation at 1-800-642-9653.

Furniture Shopping Improves Again—Retailers Driving Shopping

Charleston, SC - February 1, 1999 — The National Furniture Buying Index continued its upward movement for 1999 by improving one point to 74 for February.

“We are pleased to see furniture shopping holding steady above 70,” observed America’s Research group Chairman Britt Beemer. “But, there are several key reasons as to why this is happening.”

“First, retailers are driving sales more than consumers. This is actually quite good to see, but the impact of this force is somewhat lost unless shoppers themselves are the wave, and the retailers are the crest. When retailers are both the wave and crest, it does little better than maintain sales levels,” Beemer explained. “Furniture is still taking a back seat to buying a new home, or new car or truck.”

“While we see certain consumers spending more on furniture in 1999 than 1998, the number of individuals spending more remains stagnant,” he continued.

“And, we don’t expect to see an increase in store traffic in the first half of the year. It will take strong promotions on key merchandise categories to really drive up shopping levels,” Mr. Beemer concluded.

Britt Beemer is Chairman and Senior Research Analyst of America’s Research Group, located in Charleston, SC. ARG provides research design, process and analytical services to manufacturers and retailers of consumer goods across North America. Mr. Beemer is recognized as a premier retail marketing expert and has over twenty years experience in gathering, analyzing and interpreting consumer behavior data.

For more information contact Britt Beemer, America’s Research Group at 1-800- 723-3253

Sullivan Named Executive VP and General Manager of United Sleep Products

Paul Sullivan has recently been promoted to Executive Vice President and General Manager of United Sleep Products, Inc. In this new position Sullivan will be responsible for the general management of the company’s three locations, Denver, PA, Fort Wayne, IN and Leola, PA.

Sullivan has been with United Sleep Products for five years executing his responsibilities as Vice President of Sales and Marketing. During that time the company has experienced tremendous growth in both the bedding and Simmons futon business.

Sullivan will lead the organization to new heights in sales and customer service with an increased concentration on quality and process improvements.

Harlee Expands Sales Team to Better Serve Retailers

Harlee International, a seventeen year veteran of the futon and furniture industry has expanded its sales and support staff to better serve retailers.

New to the Harlee family are the team of Dick Baker and John Erlich who will be serving customers in Arizona and will also act as Harlee’s conventional bedroom specialists. Also new for Harlee in the Mid-West is Brent Grahms and Mid America Marketing. “Dick, John and Brent are true professionals who are well known and respected in the furniture industry. They will be using their years of experience and expertise to assist the Harlee retailer,” said Steve Leichter, President of Harlee.

Now representing Harlee in the New England area is the Harvey Bigelow Company. “We have had a good relationship with Harvey Bigelow for some time ,” said Chet Stoler, Marketing Director for Harlee International, “They have successfully been our warehouse space in Massachusetts and it is a logical extension of that relationship that they represent us in that area.” Harvey Bigelow will also be offering their own complementing line of furniture.

The new representatives join Robert Thomas in Florida and the South East; Tom Conard in Texas and the Southwest; Travis Stoler in the Upper Midwest , Ohio Valley and New Jersey; Howard Gursky in New York City; Jim Murphy in the West Coast and Colorado, as well as Mary Cripps and Tricia Hodawanus in the California office. All are invited to meet the Harlee team at the Futon Expo in Las Vegas in Booth 130.

For more information contact Harlee at (800) 745-7660.

Bedroom Distributors Opens New Distribution Center

Bedroom Distributors, Inc. has taken another step forward in customer service by opening up a new distribution center in Kenosha, Wisconsin in a joint venture with Mid-America Furnishings, owned by Bill Bohlman. This service center will be stocking ninety percent of Bedroom Distributors, Inc vast hardwood import futon frames including their famous “Hard Body Futons™.”

“Bill and I have been friends for years, and we are very excited to be working together. Our target date for shipping will be May 1, 1999,” said Don Bumgardener of Bedroom Distributors. Mid-America Furnishings also delivers on their own trucks into a broad surrounding area, including Chicago, every week. “This service has worked very well for us in the Florida market,” said Bumgardener. The Florida distribution center, Waterfall Industries, Inc, owned and operated by Anthony Lupo and Glen Moller, offers the same service, delivering on their own trucks all over the state, for a small delivery charge, and guarantee “No Freight Damage”. “Our dealers love that kind of service!,” he said.

In addition to Florida, Kenosha and the master distribution center in Fort Worth, TX, Bedroom Distributors also has an excellent distributor on the West Coast, called “Futon Place” out of Santa Barbara, CA, owned and operated by Nick Nara. The two companies have done well together for the last two years. They also have a limited distribution in Hartford, CT called Innovations owned and operated by Mike Ricci.

“We now have the perfect distribution network,” said Bumgardener. “We’ve all been successful in the distribution business for years. We’re all honest and hardworking, and we are all friends. I figure, if I surround myself with successful people like these, we will have Hard Body Futons at all of the dealer’s fingertips,” he said.

For more information or phone numbers for the distribution center near you, call Bedroom Distributors at (800) 934-3881.

August Lotz Co Ads sku’s and New Web Site

August Lotz, leading manufacturer of futon frames, futon mattresses and bedroom furniture is able to offer their retailers some of the finest hands-on POP in the industry. “These sales tools allow the customer to see various construction features of August Lotz futon frames without forcing the retail salesperson to dismantle the display unit,” said Mark Schlichter, company president. The construction samples showcase the fully modular dovetail construction of seat and back decks, the metal to metal connection system used to assemble the majority of the arms in the line, as well as how the hardware becomes “invisible” on the Convertible Sofa portion of the line. “By giving customers the opportunity to handle and operate these scaled down representations of the product, they can see and feel for themselves exactly what they’re getting for their money,” he said.

“In fact some people are so excited about what they are getting from August Lotz that they write us with some incredible stories,” Schlichter said.

One such letter from Peter Dantzer of Press Line Industries told how a cocktail table he was delivering in the company pick-up truck ended up taking an unexpected trip when the tail gate dropped open. “I saw my cocktail table following me, legs pointed to the heavens, sliding down the interstate, at seventy miles per hour,” Dantzer said. He stopped in the breakdown lane and went back to “pick up the pieces.” To his great surprise and relief a loose table top was the only result. “I re-straightened the metal tabs (that hold the top on) and reassembled the table, which now sits in our office lobby,” Dantzer said.

Also, work on an all new August Lotz web site is currently under way. The site will allow retailers and customers alike to see the complete August Lotz line at home or at work. While the company will not be selling its product on the web site, they feel this will be a strong sales tool - giving August Lotz retailers the opportunity to impress their customers with the line before they even walk in the showroom!

Watch for the address in the next issue of Futon Life, or call 1-800-826-7326 for more information.

Mr. Bean Bag Announces New Management Team

Mr. Bean Bag Co. announces a new distribution site and new management team to start off their 28th year.

Bob Baumann, company founder, has named Danielle Bass to the position of Vice President of Operations. Danielle has been operations manager for the last 18 months, and has worked for the company in various positions since 1992. Danielle was solely responsible for the new venture in Yerington, Nevada. “This plant will make it possible for our company to ship west of the Rockies at a very reasonable cost,” Bass said.

Marshall L. Bass, new National Sales Director, joined the company a year ago. He has 12 years of sales and marketing experience in his own business in Arizona, and is putting together a top sales force and customer service team to handle the influx of orders. Bass noted that, “the initial contact with West Coast retailers has been greater than anticipated.

People are looking for quality, and they will pay for quality products.”

The raw material used by Mr. Bean Bag meets the fire codes of California bulletins 116 and 117, and the product also features a child-proof, safety zipper approved by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. “This enables the consumer to refill the chairs and continue using them for many years,” Bass said.

Bob Baumann founded the company in 1971 in Dallas, and then moved the plant to Garland a year later. The company has grown each year since its inception, and Baumann credits his success with the fact that he makes a quality product. Bean bag chairs were first presented to the US market in 1968. Baumann started his company with $5000 after another business venture failed to work out. He worked as salesman, delivery man, warehouseman, and in every other aspect of the business but the sewing, and has retired from the daily operations of the company.

For more information contact Mr. Bean Bag at 1-800-525-7707.

Omni Softgoods Announces Spring High Point Location

Omni Softgoods will again be located in the IHFC building, Space M001, the

former Press Center. Showing with Wolf Corporation and Lifestyle solutions by Elite Furniture, Omni will be premiering new fabrics and pillow options for the spring season. Also being featured are Omni’s top of the bed designs which capitalize on their new fabric collections.

Omni To Introduce Fabric Collections

With its next fabric update, Omni Softgoods will be introducing a new collection program designed to make it easier for retailers to choose the fabrics that best suit their customer’s individual needs. Proposed collections include separate futon and bedding categories as well as specific style groupings which would include Traditional, Contemporary, Lodge, Kid’s Naturals, Theme Fabrics, and Washables. A third option offers fabrics in a particular price category. The collections program allows the retailer to eliminate fabrics which take up valuable space on the display floor and to facilitate ease of selection for the consumer.

Bedcaps...Old Is New Again

Omni Softgood’s Bed and Bath collection which includes a wide array of bedtop and shower curtain options has seen a renewed interest in its bedcaps for platform and bunk beds. The bedcap is the perfect solution when traditional bedding is too bulky and offers ease of “make-up” for kid’s beds. Bedcaps are available in nearly any Omni fabric and are constructed with a 3 or 4 sided, 8” drop.

For more information contact Omni at 1-800-283-8037.

Gold Bond’s “Super Sumptuous”Comfort Plush Ultra Premium Makes Debut at FAI Las Vegas Show

Futon mattress leader Gold Bond will introduce the futon industry’s first eleven inch thick Ultra Premium futon mattress, the new “Comfort Plush Super Sumptuous Futon”, at the FAI Las Vegas Expo March 15-18, 1999, Gold Bond President Robert J. Naboicheck announced.

Gold Bond is America’s largest futon mattress producer and an innovator which developed America’s first wool and innerspring premium futons, two mainstays of the futon industry’s premium mattress business.

Gold Bond compression-tufts 27 inches of materials into an eleven inch ultra premium futon mattress. The new mattress is notable for an exceptional plush pillowy appearance and a luxurious support level never before achieved in a mattress designed to retail well below comparable $995.00 innerspring mattresses or sofas. It is designed for platform beds as well as futons.

The Gold Bond Comfort Plush is priced to retail between $299 to $349 and represents a $50 step over the SofTouch super plush futon mattress and a $75 upsell over the Cotton Coil innerspring and Wool Wrap futon premium mattresses.

The Comfort Plush utilizes four 7/8” layers of super soft high resiliency foam and three layers of 8 inch thick densified polyester fiber batt projected to last 50 times longer than standard polyester batting, the highest quality in the bedding business.

Mr. Naboicheck said Gold Bond’s research and development department spent over one year to achieve the correct feel, thickness, plushness and durability to carry the Gold Bond name and ten year unconditional warranty. Mr. Naboicheck said Gold Bond’s ongoing success is based on the company’s belief that only high quality products can succeed over the long term in the market-place. He added that positive word-of-mouth referrals continue to flow from the enjoyment and comfort Gold Bond futons deliver every day, helping fuel the futon industry’s continued growth.

Gold Bond’s state of the art 115,000 square foot futon factory is located in Hartford, Connecticut, where the vertically integrated corporation was founded by the Naboicheck family in 1900. Mr. Naboicheck is the third generation in his family to operate the business.

Gold Bond manufactures a complete line of futon mattress products. Gold Bond dealers enjoy the finest point of purchase and in-store brochures in the industry including banners, easels, posters, counter cards, and advertising materials. The company’s Quick Ship program insures a ready inventory for retailers of all sizes throughout the U.S. and abroad.

Gold Bond products are sold in more of the top fifty retail stores than by the number two, three and four futon mattress manufacturers combined. Gold Bond is sold through quality futon, bedding, furniture and department stores in all fifty states, South America, Europe, the Middle East and Japan.

For additional information, please call Robert J. Naboicheck toll free at 800-873-8498.

Collegiate Furnishings Introduces the First Front-Converting Pine Bi-Fold

State College, PA — Collegiate Furnishings Inc. has redesigned their Mountain Series slider frames to be the only front-converting pine bi-fold currently on the market. Collegiate was able to design a frame that converts easily from a bed back to a couch all from the front without increasing the risk of breakage because of the unique construction of their seat and back decks which makes them much stronger than most pine frames (and many imports).

Also to be introduced at the Futon Expo in Las Vegas are twin and loveseat frames with pullout lounge extensions. “With these two new products, the Mountain Series frames are now available in all sizes including chair, twin lounger, loveseat lounger, full and queen with four different arm styles to choose from”, said Tom Meade, Collegiate’s President. The new frame design also has a built-in seat lock in addition to two lounge locks which provide lazy-boy reclining comfort - especially for the chair, twin lounger and full loveseat lounger.

Similar to their other products, these frames are backed by Collegiate’s standard 5-year warranty. “This unique line will help put a retailer’s pine line-up head and shoulders above their competition, enabling them to maintain their margins in an otherwise commodity-driven market”, said Meade.

For more information contact Collegiate Furnishings, Inc. at (800) 755-8660 or stop by Booth 366 in Las Vegas for a demonstration.

Glasser Group Introducing Major Imported Futon Program

LAS VEGAS (NEV.) - The Glasser Group will introduce its Tradewinds Furniture line, an imported hardwood and oak futon furniture program featuring a broad selection, at the Las Vegas Futon Expo, space 621 on March 15 - 18, 1999.

Glasser Group President Stuart A. Glasser of Tampa, FL, said the new line is poised to be “the price leader in the futon business”.

Mr. Glasser said the new futon line is manufactured offshore by a multi-national company which owns and operates factories throughout the Far East. He describes the high-volume company’s manufacturing philosophy as high quality- and detail-oriented.

“We will be priced substantially under today’s price leaders and we expect the buyers in Las Vegas to recognize our extraordinary values. We’re confident that Tradewinds Furniture will be very well received by discriminating buyers worldwide.” The company began its futon manufacturing in 1995.

Tradewinds will emphasize simplicity of conversion, solid hardwoods and 100% genuine oak with stylish dependability engineered to last generations. “We know how competitive the futon category has become, and we know we must offer a great value in order to dominate the category,” Mr. Glasser said.

He added that Tradewinds will be producing proven best-sellers.

For additional information, please call The Glasser Group at 1-800-466-9099; e-mail: GlasserGroup@ij.net

Comfort Research Looking for Rep Force

Comfort Research recently introduced the Polymorphic Poof Chair. This chair is having excellent success on both the East and West Coasts. The company is looking for sales help throughout the rest of the country.

Customers can not say enough good things about the chair once they try it. The Chair has been touted as “The most comfortable chair on earth...maybe even the universe.”

Due to the great response for the Polymorphic Poof Chair, Comfort Research has introduced denim covers. This classic fabric will add even more to this remarkable chair.

The company is also looking to add two more products to their line before the end of March. Look for the Polymorphic Poof Chair and other products at the Futon Expo in Las Vegas.

For more information regarding the Polymorphic Poof Chair please call (877) 226-2926.

Futon Association PR Program Gets Major Hits

With five years of success under its belt the Futon Association’s consumer PR Campaign hit new heights this year with some major market newspaper hits. “We have really begun to hit our stride,” said Joe Tatulli, chairman of the Association’s Futon Marketing Council, and client side manager for the account.

“Our cumulative hits to date have topped the five hundred million mark,” Tatulli said. The big hits this year have come from being picked up by Gannett and their PR and news distribution network. “We have gotten major hits in some of the top markets including Louisville, KY, Asbury Park, NJ, Wilmington, DE, El Paso and San Antonio, TX, Los Angeles, CA, Cincinnati, OH, Melbourne, FL, Augusta, GA, Portland, OR, Phoenix and Mesa, AZ, Charlotte, NC, and Providence, RI. In fact between November 12, 1998 and January 30, 1999 we have gotten almost eight million reported hits nationally,” he said.

For more information on the program contact the FAI office at 1-530-534-7833.

Island Futon Introducing Four New Oak Futons At Futon EXPO

WHITE PLAINS (N.Y.)- Four new oak futon styles will be introduced to the home furnishings industry March 15 - 18 when Island Futon Company, one of the industry’s leading imported futon furniture manufacturers, introduces its 1999 product line-up to the futon trade in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Island Futon will be showing its complete oak and hardwood futon and related furniture products at the Futon Association International Expo in Space 605, along with futon category leaders SIS Covers and Gold Bond mattress, Sam Leone, Island’s General Manager announced.

Island Futon is an affiliate of Cross Island Trading, a 30 year-old international trading group that has integrated its forest concessions and logging operations with multiple factory-finished products and with its shipment containerization and distribution operations.

Island Futon’s furniture is manufactured in the company’s state-of-the-art factories in Indonesia, China and Malaysia. The group presently employs about 2,000 people, and exports furniture to North America, Europe, Scandinavia, Australia, and New Zealand.

The new oak futon frame and furniture introductions include a southwest desert style called “Durango”, the sleigh style “Berkshire”, and a curved mission arm “Covington”. Two new hardwood futon frames will be introduced: the “South Beach” and the “Sonora” featuring the new golden oak finish. Island Futon’s furniture is made from genuine oak, golden oak, Nyatoh, and other quality hardwoods.

Island has also developed a line of headboards and is accepting special orders for mass merchants and specialty retailers.

Island Futon Company, Inc. was recently awarded a 20 year patent for its unique “E-Z Open” front conversion system. The company has instituted an 18 step Quality Assurance factory quality check program and ships in newly designed “Tuff Pak” product packaging to minimize freight damage.

For additional information, please contact Michael O’Neil, Director of National Sales, toll free at 877-44-FUTON (443-3866).

Zad Design Introduces Softgoods Line at San Francisco Show

The Winter San Francisco Design & Furnishings Show was an overwhelming success for Zad Design & MFG. “Our oak collection, as well as our rustic pine collection were many attendee’s favorites,” said Akim Azad, company President. Softgood swatches, also launched at the show, were well received by retailers as well as designers. For those who were unable to attend the San Francisco show, Zad Design & MFG will be exhibiting their new lines of futon frames as well as their platform bed lines at the Futon Expo in March.

“Our company recognizes the importance of well-made, quality products for the futon industry, and has been working to one, produce products with better raw materials and a superior mechanism; and two, control the consistency of quality by producing everything at one site in Oxford, CA,” said Azad. By doing so, the dealers of Zad Design & MFG can get the support of on-time delivery, and a consistency of product quality.

Zad design also offers POS materials to its dealers that emphasize the real value of futon furniture as well as effective sales training for sales associates. “How to sell futon furniture as a fine piece of furniture instead of promotional only and how to communicate with the customer about the real value of futon furniture is covered in our sales training program,” Azad said.

For more information call 1-805-486-8393 or stop by booth #253, the Futon Expo in Las Vegas.

Crestwood Leisure Products Enters Category At Las Vegas Expo With Upholstered Frame

Crestwood Leisure Products is a new company located in Hickory, NC that manufactures upholstered futon frames. “We have researched the futon category and are committed to finding and producing the newest and best products for this growing category,” said Diane Powell, company Sales Manager. Crestwood’s commitment to the category also led them to exhibit at this year’s Futon Expo in Las Vegas, at booth # 241.

Employing the concept that, no matter how thick the mattress is, the mechanism should have some buoyancy, like the box spring foundation on a bed, Crestwood uses the Hickory Springs “Comfort Lounger” mechanism. “This mechanism uses sinuous wire so there are no bars to press into the back. The simplicity of operation is another plus we believe offers consumers some great choices that have not been available in the futon industry before,” Powell said.

The company offers seven completely different upholstered frames that run from the contemporary to traditional styles. “These styles, in this format (upholstered) have not been readily available to the futon industry before.

“Our design team is constantly working to stay current with new choices and options, and our fabric selections will be updated two times per year,” she said.

This year the fabrics range from cottons, chenilles, and wovens, to prewashed, corduroys, and leather. “We will even do custom runs for people who have a special fabric they want to use,” she said.

Powell added that quality control is a top priority at Crestwood and that a full inspection program to examine each piece before it leaves the plant is already in place to assure that each unit and its packaging is correct in every detail. “We are committed to comfort, style, quality, choice and customer satisfaction. These are the things that we believe are important to our customers, and will continue to be important as we move into the twenty-first century,” she said.

For more information contact Crestwood Leisure Products at 1-828-495-8285.

Harlee Adds Additional Consumer Oriented P.O.P. For Customers

A new consumer oriented brochure for Harlee futon frames and bedroom furniture was introduced to customers at the January San Francisco show. Entitled “Furniture For Your Home”, the full color, tabloid sized brochure shows all of Harlee’s products and was designed for use as a sales aid on the retail showroom floor and as a consumer take home piece. Every item in the Harlee line is pictured in comfortable room settings with many decorating ideas. The new brochures drew praise from retailers who received advance copies, including reports that the brochure helped close several sales on retail floors.

Also unveiled in San Francisco was Harlee’s new “Select Your Finish” easel board. The new display of wood samples and finish styles makes the selection of a finish easy for consumers. The display shows consumers the finishes available for each model on Harlee furniture items.

“The new brochure and the Select Your Finish display are the latest addition to Harlee’s successful “Partners in Retail” program of sales aids for the retail store,” said Chet Stoler, Harlee’s Director of Marketing. Other items available to the retailer include ad slicks and studio photos of Harlee products.

The new consumer brochures have been sent to all Harlee customers and are available by calling Harlee Customer Service at (800) 745-7660.

The Word In Sleep For 1999 Is Fossfill®

Creative Bedding Technologies Introduces New Fillings For Futons, Other Furnishings

Elgin, Ill, — At this season’s furnishings shows, the buzz is all about Fossfill®, the patented fiber from Creative Bedding Technologies that made its industry debut in 1997 as a pillow filling. Based on the remarkable success it generated in the pillow market, CBT is now introducing Fossfill as a filler for futons and other furnishings.

Fossfill is a breakthrough synthetic feather that outperforms other fillers on comfort, durability, allergy sensitivity, and hygiene. Fossfill is the closest thing to a “natural synthetic” ever developed as a filler. Its unique property is perpetual fluffability and it comes with a generous guarantee against flattening. Fossfill offers the identical comfort and feel of down, yet is 100 percent hypoallergenic. It is also fully launderable, and is the same product that prompted hotel guests across the country to deluge the manufacturer with requests to purchase their bedding.

“We recognized from the start what a remarkable product we have in Fossfill but even we never anticipated the incredible response it has elicited from consumers,” said Scott Van Pelt, CBT President. “It was the demand from hotel customers that led us to the retail market, and now that national chains like Sears are finding great success with our pillows, it is a logical extension for us to bring Fossfill to other segments of the furnishings industry.”

Smaller retailers like Coppersmiths’ Furniture in Emporium, Pennsylvania are also turning Fossfill into a new profit center. “The Fossfill pillow has not only been a huge seller, it’s also been an enormous traffic generator,” says Randall E Metcalf, Coppersmiths’ General Manager.

Creative Bedding Technologies see tremendous opportunities for Fossfill as a filling for futons, chairs and sofas, and other padded furnishings.

“Fossfill has the potential to be the fiber of the future for virtually any kind of padded furniture,” Van Pelt says. “There is no limit to the ways it can be used.”

For more information about Fossfill, visit Creative Bedding Technologies at the Futon Expo and Specialty Sleep Show, Booth No 634, or contact Scott Van Pelt, toll-free, at 1-800-526-2158.

Renelle Introduces Front Operating Conversion and a Five Year Warranty Program

Renelle Futons will introduce a Full Five Year Warranty on their entire line of pine futon frames in March at the Expo in Las Vegas. State of the art woodworking equipment, export grade lumber, and the first hand experience that comes from having four futon stores in Vancouver, have all contributed to the quality of each pine frame.

A recently developed front operating system designed to be used specifically with pine allows conversion from sofa to bed and back at the touch of a finger, and all from the front.

The company offers twelve designs in a variety of finishes, many are available with matching chair, loveseat and tables. They also produce four platform beds and a bunk bed.

Renelle has been a leader in the futon industry for fourteen years. Today in their 50,000 square foot facility in Surrey, B C (just north of Seattle, WA) they also manufacture six futon mattresses and a great selection of covers.

Visit Renelle’s website at http://www.renelle.com or call Don Gray at 604-591-5922, ext. 223 for additional information.

Elite Furniture Announces New Name And Direction

Lifestyle Solutions by Elite Furniture sounds like a mission statement and in many ways it is.

The team at Elite Furniture is in the process of slowly changing their identity in the market to be known as Lifestyle Solutions.

An enormous amount of time, energy and expense has gone into the products they offer to warrant such a statement as Lifestyle Solutions.

A perfect example of this is back in mid-1997, when Elite Furniture started delivering their “Premium Bodies” to their dealers. This was the first imported futon body and arms to be assembled by the consumer in less than fifteen minutes.

In 1998 Elite Furniture added their “Steel Bracket Reinforcement System” to every body they sell.

The Steel Bracket Reinforcement System, exclusive to Elite Furniture (patent pending) truly eliminates breakage, even from excess use or possible misuse by the consumer, guaranteeing a lifetime of unhasseled usage for each of their futon systems.

So confident of their design and structure changes, each Lifestyle Solutions by Elite Furniture frame comes with a Limited Lifetime Warranty assuring with confidence that the consumer has made an intelligent investment.

Lifestyle Solutions is Elite Furniture’s focus. Lifestyle Solutions is creating products that exceed the Baby Boomers demand for higher quality, products with strong perceived value.

More creations are in the works, and are directed towards offering solutions for the futon industry and enhancing the lifestyles of the consumers who purchase their products. Lifestyle Solutions is who they are, the core and foundation for Elite Furniture.

Lifestyle Solutions by Elite Furniture can be previewed at the Futon Expo and Sleep Specialty Show in Las Vegas - Space #110 and in High Point - IHFC Main Building, lower level (former press center).

For more information please call Lifestyle Solutions by Elite at 1-800-364-0609.

Welcome to the Universe of New Concept

“What do you think of when you hear the phrase ‘quality futon program’? Is it synonymous with unbeatable price points, a complete finish choice, superior style selection, with professional marketing support and step-up opportunities? However you define it, at New Concept you are sure to find what many others have already discovered. Our lifetime warranty oak frames provide a quality futon program that is difficult to match,” said Scott Lee, company spokesperson.

“All our craftsman build every frame with pride and dignity.” It takes time - and experience- to design a futon frame that lives up to customer expectations and New Concept has that experience. “With our heavy duty frame structure, our promises have already translated into performance,” said Lee. The fact is, in 1997 and 1998, New Concept’s oak frame return rate for breakage was below .02%. “This outstanding result allows us to offer a Limited Lifetime Warranty for our domestic made, oak frames,” he said.

“We want to acquaint you with the full scope of business opportunities that you will find at New Concept. The company’s commitment to improving the quality of their futon program makes New Concept a dynamic and reliable source, and we invite you to come and see all our frames at the Las Vegas Futon Expo. We are sure you will like what you see,” Lee said.

Best Seller Program- One key to any suppliers’ quality futon program is its pricing. New Concept has achieved an enviable balance between vigorous quality and pricing structure. This unique blend of 100 years of craftsmanship and 30 years of design and process engineering experience, fortified by a strong sense of “good-better-best” program has made this company a rich source of business opportunities.

“The growing futon category is a billion dollar business. To be a success, you need a well planned marketing program, not just a ‘Futon Sale’ sign,” says Lee. “New Concept’s program positions you at the center of the action, where the sales become an event to turn stock.”

Growth- Notwithstanding the company’s tradition of leadership, the management decided long ago to diversify the company’s production base while retaining its strong futon furniture presence. Today, with a 60,000 sq. ft. factory in Philadelphia, PA, New Concept’s main business is a “four-legged table” supported by futon furniture, bedroom furniture, daybeds and occasional tables. With these product categories, New Concept boasts a wide variety of retailers and distributors, drawn to the company by its pro-retailing orientation, stable pricing policy, dedicated work force and a pledge that they will “Never Be Out Of Stock”.

Consumer dynamics are changing faster than ever, and New Concept has the marketing and products both to anticipate the trends and satisfy the demands. “Our POP material, along with the warranty card attached to each frame, will certainly help your customers with buying confidence and help you grow your futon business,” says Lee, who adds, “Yet, we understand that retail marketing support is not the only element to sustain growth. The endless effort of research and development for new products and new designs is also a high priority.” For this reason New Concept is proud of being “First” many times in the futon industry - first sectional futon, first double recliners, first universal body system, and the list goes on.

Trend of Style- Contemporary, classic, country, traditional, mission, oriental, sleigh, curved and practical, at New Concept they have them all. With more than fifty styles in production and ten new designs introduced each year, New Concept is a leading producer in the futon industry. “What makes us even better is that each style category is available in a complete room setting. Double, reclining, lounger, the oversized/standard chair with wheeled storage ottomans, and the newest, patent-pending sectional futons.

“The saying goes, ‘Success is where the profit is’, and when you see us at our 3,000 sq. ft. booth in Las Vegas at the Futon Expo or our 6,000 sq ft. factory showroom in Philly, your profits will show you that this is a program you can succeed with,” Lee said.

For more information contact New Concept at (888) 3-FUTONS.

Monticello Oak Resumes Production, ‘99 Line-up to Premiere in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS (NEV.)—The solid oak Monticello Oak Collection is back to full production and the 1999 designer line will be introduced at the FAI Expo, March 15 to 18, 1999 in space 621.

Monticello Oak is produced at offshore factories by a multi-national manufacturer of high-quality furniture.

Stuart Glasser of The Glasser Group said his company anticipates continued growth of the Monticello Oak Collection. He said the response to the new Monticello product line has been overwhelmingly positive. “The fit, finish and quality are unsurpassed,” he said.

The futon frames offer consumers patented wall hugging benefits as well as front opening and closing, and are manufactured from 100% solid oak. All models are vignetted with matching furniture.

Developed by designer Steven Sanfilippo, Monticello Oak is priced to appeal to the middle and upper ends of the futon category. “The factories’ twenty years of wood crafting experience enables us to provide the industry with a stunning product line with clear attention to detail,” Mr. Sanfilippo noted.

Mr. Glasser said that the “heirloom” finish introduced on the high profile arm “Elan” last year will also be available on additional models in the Monticello line. Other styles include the Avalon, Bungalow, Coronado, Cape Cod, and Westport. The Coronado was featured on the cover of Futon Life magazine last year, he noted.

For additional information, please contact The Glasser Group at 1-800-466-9099; e-mail: GlasserGroup@ij.net.