INDUSTRY UPDATES

Toronto International Home Furnishings Market
by Futon Life International Reporter Mitch Wapen

The Toronto Home Furnishings Show, which ran from January 15-18 this year, is over. And, judging from the reps who stopped by my booth to schmooze, it was a much better show than in years’ past.
Because it is located between the heavily populated U.S. Northeast and the industrial Great Lakes, and because it is the only true national show held in Canada once a year, Toronto is attended by more than 12,000 industry people including 6,000 buyers from the United States and 19 other countries. This is Canada’s largest furniture showcase, featuring: dining room, dinettes, living room, bedroom, accent furnishings, mattresses, lighting, home office, home theater, and décor accessories…all under one roof! With more than half a million square feet of exhibition space, the Toronto Market accommodates some 400 exhibitors over its six interconnected “halls.” The organizer (Quebec Furniture Manufacturers Association) calls it “the High Point of Canadian home furnishings!”
From my vantage point, it was a winner. Canada, like the United States, is going through a period of unprecedented growth, which translates into more new and renovated homes and, by extension, more furniture purchases. Buyers actually came to Toronto with the intention of buying! I saw smiles on people’s faces! Everybody I spoke with seemed upbeat, and I’m sure that once the results are published, this will have turned out to be one of the best Canadian shows ever.
On a personal note, Lofa Sales took a gamble by introducing Cotton Works to the Canadian market…the first time an American cover and accessory supplier has committed to venture north. Prices are higher because of the exchange rate, but Cotton Work’s program of stocking 150 fabrics and guaranteeing their shipment within three days has no equal in Canada, and Canadian retailers jumped on board with great enthusiasm. My two other factories, Atelier de Bois J.A. Veins and Wolf Futons (Canada), were both very pleased with the attendance and the acceptance of their new products, and we’re all looking forward to taking more space…next January!
Lofa Sales International: (450) 424-1431

Easyup Futon Convertor Introduced in January 2000

Sweet Dreams West, Inc., the company that originated the concept of controlling unruly futons with its Sticky Fingers No-Slip-Pads has introduced its newest futon-control product for the 21st Century.
The Easyup Futon Convertor makes all conventional bi-fold (SII mechanism) futon frames a snap to convert from the bed mode to the sofa mode from the front of the frame! Any frame can now be a “front-loader” with this simple, inexpensive (suggested retail $8.95) device. The Easyup Futon convertor is a pulling device that attaches to the backrest of the frame. To convert the frame one simply kneels on the seat of the futon and pulls towards oneself. Presto, up it goes!
The Easyup solves several problems inherent in the conversion of bi-fold frames. First, many people are not strong enough to lift the futon up to its sofa position from the back of the frame. Second, as anyone who has done futon deliveries knows, futons often go into areas in between other pieces of furniture that makes access to the side or back of the frame impossible. Last, many “hybrid” futons such as coil or predominantly-foam futons that don’t like to bend fly off the front of the frame every time the futon is converted. The Easyup eliminates these problems entirely!
“When Pete Dodge came to me with this idea I knew right away it was a winner,” says Buzz Farlow, Pres. “It solved several problems cleanly, inexpensively, and without placing stress of any kind on the frame. Perfect.”
For information on the Easyup Futon Convertor call Sweet Dreams West, Inc., 1-800-727-7626.

Omni Softgoods To Focus On Service

In an effort to pursue new avenues within the industry and to focus more on the individual needs of our customers, Omni Softgoods has decided to no longer maintain a physical presence at the traditional furniture markets at High Point and San Francisco. Omni will continue to show at the FAI Show and keep its customers abreast of other markets to be attended in the future. Company president Robin Reid says, ÒExpect new and exciting things to come.Ó
For more information contact Omni Softgoods: (800) 283-8037.

Zad Home Offers New Furniture Line

Zad Home, which offers dealers a west coast look with rich textured fabrics showed its new line at the Winter San Francisco Market. ÒOur line was well received among futon retailers as well as bedding retailers,Ó said Akim Azad, company president. The Zad Home collection offers piping and ruffles to enhance the beauty of its pillows, covers and bedding products. Also, Zad Designs showed distressed finished futon furniture at the show. White distressed futon frames geared to created the beach house look will work well in a bedroom setting with a matching bed frame, nightstand, and armoire that Zad Designs offered as a Napa Collection. Interested retailers should call for more information at 805-486-8393.

ÔMost Successful Year in Company HistoryÕ Gold BondÕs Õ99 Shipments Soar

HARTFORD (CT.) – Fueled by increased domestic and international demand and a growing retail base which is driving up premium futon mattress sales by double digits, futon leader Gold Bond notched the company’s all-time highest levels of sales and shipments in 1999.
Gold Bond is one of the oldest and largest independent bedding manufacturers in the country. It supplies leading retailers and hotels with a complete line of handmade innerspring mattresses and futon products.
Robert J. Naboicheck, President, is the third generation of his family to lead the business. He says extraordinary successes of 1999 reflect consumers’ desire for innovative quality futon products that provide durability and comfort in America’s living and bedrooms. “Gold Bond does have its ear to the ground. Consequently, the company concluded its most successful year in our long history. We credit this to solid performance by our products and people,” he says.
Expansion Underway
Gold Bond is a sleep surface innovator. Its business is propelled by exhaustive research, development and quality control. Stringent Q.C. requirements must be surpassed before the company will introduce new products. Gold Bond was formed in 1900. Today it is one of the largest independently owned sleep product suppliers and cotton garnetters in the nation.
Sixteen years ago, Gold Bond entered the fledgling futon industry and shortly thereafter began introducing new futon mattress concepts.
Today, Gold Bond is adding additional manufacturing space to its recently built 115,000 square foot factory located immediately off the interstate highway. The company presently ships about 1,500 units daily. “Our production capacity enables Gold Bond to swiftly fill trucks and get the products to our customers on time. We pride ourselves on great service. Our customers profit from that. Now we are building added production capacity on our land here,” Mr. Naboicheck notes.

CottonBelle Intros Sunbrella Outdoor Fabric

Adding to its existing washable line of chenilles, faux leather & denim twills, CottonBelle’s new introductions this season will include Sunbrella. Everything that makes Sunbrella the ideal outdoor fabric — durability, stain-resistance, easy care, rich, fade-resistant colors — also makes it the perfect choice for casual futon furniture. Sunbrella is porous which lets the fabric breathe for even greater comfort in hot water. Easily spot-cleaned or machine washable, Sunbrella will be offered in both solids and stripes.
Luxurious new patterned and sculpted chenilles in oceanblue and seafoam will also be added to our washable line as well as seven new faux leather fabrics and towel fabrications in natural, spearmint, and taupe.
A golden millennium collection of striated basecloths, fabulous crewel leaves, Frank Lloyd Wright design and checkered coins round out our new introductions.
For more information, contact Mary Lou Rath or Deanna Ridenhour at CottonBelle at 573-859-6589.

Triton¨ Gallery Program From Big Sleep

Big Sleep will be showing their new Triton® Gallery Program at the upcoming Orlando Futon Expo. The gallery has already been presented at the October High point and January San Francisco Markets. The program consists of our Triton® Sleepers which come with upholstered arms and matching “sofa look” mattresses. Also included are stationary loveseats, push back, and handle recliners.
“Our Tritons® come in all sizes and have five arm style options and 34 different fabric choices,” said Bob Pecoraro company spokesman. “The great thing is the price is the same for any arm or fabric choice.”
Big Tree/Big Sleep would also like to announce that they’ve hired Futon Industry Veteran Doug Turner as their new sales representative for Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and Idaho.
As the former owner of four futon stores in the Denver area, Doug says he’s eager to share the success he had with Big Tree/Big Sleep Products with other store owners and buyers in his area.

Burlington Opens New Line at Winter Market

Burlington Futon Company has introduced a new collection of fabrics in San Francisco during the Winter Furniture Market. Despite the heavy rain, many retailers came and were impressed with the new offerings. The hit of the show was a fabric called Belle, a subtle floral that not only looks great but is made of the same washable fabric as the successful Aries Collection introduced last summer.
Piping in a contrasting or in the same fabric is becoming a big hit as it really creates a distinctive look and provides definition. “Our customers are creating some playful interpretations by using piping in our Aries Collection,” said Chris Van Genechten, the company’s wholesale manager.
On the production front, the Burlington Futon Company is striving to provide same day shipping for the most popular items in their reorderable program.
For more information call Burlington Futon Company at 1-800-862-5986.

Bluestone Intros New Table Group

The Millcreek table group, by Bluestone Mills, features mission styled stained glass tops and drawers with pewter pulls. The group is available in five sizes including a thirty-eight inch square cocktail table, a twenty-four by forty-eight inch cocktail table, a twenty-four by twenty-two inch end table, an eighteen by forty-eight inch sofa table and two pedestal tables. “This addition to our occasional table line will appeal to futon specialty retailers as well as oak specialty and conventional furniture retailers. The look is innovative and that’s what retailers are looking for… not just another knock-off,” says Robert Thomas national sales manager. Bluestone Mills is an Amish crafted producer of solid Appalachian oak futon frames, home office and occasional tables.
For more information please call 540-398-3564.

August Lotz Announces New products for Orlando Show

Boyd, WI — August Lotz, quality manufacturer of solid wood futon frames, futon mattresses, and bedroom furniture unveiled its plans for new product introductions for Spring. They are introducing new mattress lines, new arm styles, a new occasional table series, and a new bedroom collection.
“We have long been known as a top quality producer of frames, and now we want that distinction in mattresses,” says Mark Schlichter, company president. “Last fall we developed an upper-end, high density foam series and a process to ensure that they open and close easily. They have done very well. Now we need to round out our line-up with some price points right underneath those.” In Orlando, Lotz will introduce two new mattresses. They both have precision cut, high density “Foam Spring” core systems and are surrounded by multiple blankets of densified polyester inside a new, rolled edge tick.
Keeping with their tradition of styling excellence, Lotz will add three new arms. “They will all be somewhat unique,” added Schlichter. “One will have a bent, radial arm top and star burst inserts. The other will be in a contemporary mission category and the third will be a log arm with wrought iron silhouettes. The industry expects us to develop new styles and I don’t think we will disappoint them.”
A new line of occasional tables has been designed to help retailers get more multiple piece sales. “The tables coordinate with specific arm styles,” volunteered Schlichter. “They create a visual statement that says, these belong together, they are a set. To save us and our retailers inventory space and dollars, they have been engineered as a bale body to which different grids get added.”
The company is also introducing another bedroom collection. Because of the success Lotz has experienced with its log futon frame, the new offering will incorporate logs to give a very rustic, cottage/lodge look. An entertainment armoire will be offered in addition to the bed, dresser, mirror, chest, and night stand. August Lotz already has a solid ash, mission bedroom collection.
For more information about August Lotz products and services call (800) 826-7326.

Futon frame Maker Marquis To Unveil New line in Orlando

Melbourne, FL — Marquis Furnishings broadens its line of hand-rubbed exotic domestic solid hardwood futon frames and bedroom furniture when it unveils four new wall hugging and front operating groups at the Futon and Specialty Sleep Expo in Orlando March 9 – 11.
The company uses North American cherry, oak, maple, black walnut and rare birds-eye maple in its futon suites. Emphasis is on simplicity of design, workmanship and one-of-a-kind individuality in each piece.
Marquis is a division of Crispen Holdings, a 15 year-old Florida-based company that introduced the dramatic futon line at the fall High Point market last year.
The company will introduce a Modern style, a high wing-backed look, cane, a raised panel arm, a revised Mission style and numerous new pieces, including a triple dresser.
“We ship futon and bedroom furniture that will make you gasp with pleasure, that you will proudly show to your friends, customers, and loved ones,” says company President Mark Crispen.
Marquis Furnishings is represented nationally by The Glasser Group of Tampa, FL, one of American’s leading futon sales organizations. For information or to make an appointment, please call 800-466-9099, FAX 800-303-6353, e-mail: glassergroup@ij.net or call Marquis President Mark Crispen at 407-733-0515.