INDUSTRY UPDATES

SIS Hopes To Build An Award Winning Display

The hammers are pounding, the bricks being laid, and the scaffolding going up in preparation for the new SIS booth at the Chicago Futon and Specialty Sleep Expo. Planners hope to design another award-worthy visual display to showcase the new products SIS covers will showing. The company will be cutting the ribbon on its spring line of fabrics in an urban atmosphere.

Groundbreaking new designs include everything from bold prints in shocking colors to arts and crafts that compliment the architectural style of futon frames. SIS will also debut additions to the extremely successful “A” line. Don’t miss the excitement and energy in space #447 at The Futon and Specialty Sleep Expo!

For more information contact SIS Covers at 1-800-989-5435.

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At Home Debuts TradeWinds Rattan

At Home Furnishings announces the introduction of its new TradeWinds Collection of rattan futon frames, tables, and occasional pieces. The Washington, DC based supplier has made innovative use of rattan in several forms. Rattan peel, in varying widths, can be woven into interesting patterns, which, in turn, can be placed virtually anywhere on a futon frame. The long, cylindrical shaped rattan core, when heated, can be bent to permanently accommodate a variety of arm designs.

These new designs of beautiful shapes and textures bring a truly fresh look to futon furnishings. Along with the new solid hardwood models, TradeWinds will be shown at Futon Expo in Space 537.

Photos and more information are available by calling or faxing the company at 202-537-1234 or fax 1-888-284-6634.

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Yesteryear Wicker Changes Name — Says Wicker Futon Business Still Growing

Yesteryear Wicker is changing its name to Spice Islands Wicker, Don Walker, reports that, “This was necessary to reflect the reality that we have been importing and wholesaling contemporary as well as old fashioned wicker styles for some time now. “I put it off for as long as I could,” he said. He added, “This change has nothing to do with our sale of futon frames. However, business in that area is still very strong and getting stronger with the introduction of our latest model, the Casablanca, which features a woven front skirt. It is still early but so far this item shows all the signs of a winner.”

Yesteryear has been carrying several wicker futons for about 4 years now, but this is a small part of their overall business. They import a wide variety of items and sell to several niche markets as well as the general market for wicker furniture.

Their futons can be seen on their web site: www.chesapeake.net/wicker or call for photos at 1-800-597-7061.

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August Lotz Announces Explosive New Programs For 2002

August Lotz has unveiled several new and exciting developments which are sure to please retailers. When asked what prompted them, company President, Mark Schlichter stated, “The concept of listening to our retailers is nothing new to August Lotz. We staunchly believe our customers’ issues are our issues. With that in mind, we began to work on four key areas.”

First, August Lotz announced this week that their retailers will be able to buy this year’s models at last year’s prices as there will be no price increases for 2002! Schlichter stated he wanted to underscore the commitment August Lotz demonstrates to its retailers.

Second, they announced the front loading mechanism will be available on all models made from Northern White Ash and Hard Rock Maple.

“Many of our retailers have been asking that all models have the option of being a front loader. Not only did we do this, but we found that some models will actually experience a price decrease,” Schlichter stated.

This will be achieved by manufacturing a new, universal frame design named The 2002. From now on there will be one frame for Northern White Ash, and one for Hard Rock Maple. Additionally, frames and arms will come in separate boxes, with a front loader kit available for all frames except the pine and log models. As an added benefit, all models will now be available in queen size. Schlichter noted that these changes do not affect the convertible line.

Thirdly, August Lotz is increasing its sphere of influence to include a new line of front loading oak imports. Schlichter said this is the strongest oak import program ever offered, and has features and benefits previously unavailable. He also said it will be approached with the typical August Lotz imperative of only accepting the highest quality. When asked about this new venture, Schlichter explained:

“A retailer who has this new line will have a significant advantage over a competitor who does not. Now our retailers can receive an excellent value with front loading, oak frames, starting under $150 with a number of features previously reserved for higher end futon frames. Our imports are only solid oak. We decided to look at a step above the entry level range and discovered we could offer proven styles at competitive price points which are designed to offer a higher level of quality than one would typically expect from an import. After all, we are known throughout the industry to have a rigorous quality control program, and we will be using exactly the same method on our import line. We will stand behind their quality. The advantages for our retailers are they will have great point of purchase programs, and can now purchase frames at a wider range of price points from one source and be assured of August Lotz quality.”

Fourthly, August Lotz will be offering new and aggressively priced promotional full size mattresses starting at just $39.50, with even further discounts for truckload quantities. These new mattresses will come in a black tick and be available for order at the Futon Association International show in Chicago.

For more information about these, or any other, August Lotz Co., Inc. products, please call 1-800-826-7326 or visit the website at www.augustlotz.com.

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Sensual suede BIG at CottonBelle

Furniture Today’s 2002 Retail Planning Guide picked faux (synthetic) suedes as this year’s hottest upholstery fabric. And with good reason: faux suedes and leathers are kid-tough but sensual and beautiful to the touch. Besides their classic good looks, these fabrics are long-wearing, easy to clean and affordable.

Faux suede is estimated to make up 30 to 40 percent of the upholstery market in Europe. “Our washable, sueded faux leather collection was our most successful program last year, and we expect even higher sales this year,” says CottonBelle co-owner Mary Lou Rath.

CottonBelle’s faux leather collection is a sueded microfiber with a leather grain that comes in 13 colors at a category “B” price. Retailers from coast to coast love this collection. Dave Miley, owner of Futon Source in Indianapolis, says it is his best-selling program. He stocks both full and pillow covers.

Leslee Evans, owner of Creative Futons in San Diego, stocks all sizes and says she still can’t keep them on the shelf. To meet the demand, CottonBelle is expanding its 2002 leather and suede program with new colors such as off-white and chestnut. Higher-end suedes will have a heavier drape and more luxurious hand and new faux leathers with non-suede looks will be added in traditional leather colors.

“Retailers looking for a way to successfully merchandise our new fabrics and accessories should consider CottonBelle’s Display and Decorating Kiosk,” Rath says. “The solid-maple kiosk can stylishly display all of our suede and leather colors along with self-piped pillows and our new coordinating accent pillows in contemporary, kilim, retro or Arts and Crafts styles.

Come and see it all at Booth 529 at the 2002 Futon Expo in Chicago or call CottonBelle for more information at 573-859-6589.

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A Win-Win for Customers and Retailers

Always experimenting with innovative combinations of materials, Star Futon proudly introduces an exciting new line of luxury futon mattresses. Anne Newmark, president of Star Futon stated, “We tested so many different combinations of materials to come up with our new luxury line. We’re very excited about the outcome. This line enables retailers to offer their customers the best in quality, but our prices provide greater profit margins than most high end futons.”

The Constellation (style #903) is one of the most innovative futons designed to date. Its core consists of a unique foam and an advanced cushioning material called Intelli-Gel™. The Orion (style #902) features synthetic low-melt polyester pads that surround a reflex foam core with an acrylic fiber wrap. The Moonglow (style #900) features polyester batting that surrounds two layers of a 2” high-density foam core. The Stardust (style #901) consists of a 3” layer of Swedish-type visco foam and reflex foam with a pure acrylic fiber wrap. The Wool-Tex Ultimate (style #702), which was the first commercially available futon with latex, contains two latex foam cores surrounded by acrylic and a pure wool wrap. The CV Quad (style #210) contains acrylic fiber that surrounds an interesting combination of foams separated by layers of cotton. And the Pocket Coil (style #603) is a fiberless pocket coil with an acrylic and foam wrap.

Ms. Newmark added, “Our luxury line fills a void in the futon marketplace. Retailers have been looking for high quality futons to offer to their customers, but don’t want to live with the lower profit margins that usually come along with these high end futons. From the beginning, Star has been offering quality and value without compromise. This mantra has served our customers quite well so far. We don’t see any reason to change the way we do business now or in the future.”

Star Futon is located at 231 Lindbergh Place, Paterson, New Jersey. They can be reached via phone at (973) 225-0100, fax at 1-888-883-0224 or by visiting www.starfuton.com.

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Knockdown Frameworks, Inc. Changes Name To KD Frames

Knockdown Frameworks, Inc. of Athens, Georgia is shortening its name to “KD Frames”. Owner and founder (and everything else), Alan Bowden explains, “When our logo printing plate at our box manufacturer wore out, I decided that it was a good time for a change and I had the new plate made with the new logo,” he said.

Founded in 1987, KD Frames has consistently raised the standards of the ready-to-finish futon furniture segment. “I have a great group of loyal customers, many of whom have been selling my frames for years. I am looking forward to showing in my eighth consecutive Futon Expo and seeing many of my customers and friends.”

KD Frames is also showing a new pullout style lounger built into the seat section of the Carolina Loveseat and the Twin Chair. “I’ll have t0 put much time and effort into developing a product to meet the markets demand for this type of frame. Finding the right combination of sturdiness, ease of operation, and price has been quite a challenge.”

For more information contact Alan Bowden at KD Frames at 800-543-3393.

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Star Spangled Bed: Verlo's Mammoth Flag Made of Mattresses Offers Spectacular Sight - Unusual Donation to "Comfort" Children and Teens Affected by Cancer

Madison, Wis. - What's red, white and blue, totals more than 3,000 square feet, sleeps 156 people and helps "comfort" young people affected by cancer? The answer is "The Liberty Bed" - a unique team effort designed to promote unity and patriotism among Verlo Mattress Factory Stores' franchise owners across the nation and benefit children and teens experiencing cancer in their families.

The cooperative project among Verlo's franchisees representing 66 locations nationwide involves constructing a 3,150 square-foot bed comprised of 156 twin mattress sets which when combined form in the shape, colors and proportion of the American Flag. The bed will be displayed March 1-2, 2002 at Verlo's annual franchise convention. After taking the giant bed apart, Verlo Mattress Factory Stores, the nation's largest Craftsman-DirectÒ mattress retailer, will donate the 156 twin sets to Camp Angel and Camp Teen Angel, cost-free weekend camps that provide support for young people whose families are currently experiencing or have experienced cancer.

Using raw materials supplied by its parent company, VyMaC Corporation, each of Verlo's franchisees devoted countless hours of efforts over recent weeks building a designated number of twin mattress sets in red, white or blue at their franchise locations for shipment to the home office in Whitewater, Wis. On March 1, 2002, "The Liberty Bed" will be set up (for media viewing) at Monona Terrace Expo Center in Madison, Wis., where it will be officially unveiled the next day at Verlo's Annual Convention and Vendor Expo 2002.

In all, the gigantic bed encompasses nearly 500 yards of red, white & blue fabric - the equivalent of five football fields - and contains a total of more than 40,000 coils. The 64 red, 57 white and 35 blue twin bed sets will fill an entire semi-truck trailer from top to bottom.

"It promises to be a spectacular sight," said James Young, Vice President of Franchising for Verlo Mattress Factory Stores. "The Liberty Bed `flag' will serve as a symbol of freedom and unity, and represents the efforts of all franchisees, the home office and key vendors. It illustrates how the entire organization can come together as a team for a patriotic and worthy cause in a manner that also celebrates our industry and business."

After the official unveiling of the Liberty Bed, representatives from Verlo will drive the individual twin sets more than 200 miles away to a camp site utilized by Camp Angel and Camp Teen Angel, cost-free weekend camps for young people who are affected by cancer through a sibling, parent or grandparent living with cancer, or who have experienced the recent loss of a loved one through cancer. Young and his brother, Dave, President of Verlo Mattress Factory Stores and CEO of VyMaC, Verlo's parent company, lost their own mother to breast cancer in 1998.

"In searching for an organization to receive the 156 twin sets, our goal was to identify a group that not only needed beds, but also had a worthy cause and served a specific need in the cancer environment," Young said. "Angel on My Shoulder was a perfect fit. My brother and I know what it's like to lose a loved one to cancer, and the toll that the cancer crisis takes on caregivers and children. We believe Angel on My Shoulder is the emotional backbone of the cancer-affected community, and we are honored to help its cause in any way possible."

Both of these one-of-a-kind support camps are made possible through the co-sponsorship of the Marshfield Clinic, a system of 39 patient-care, research and education facilities in Wisconsin, and Angel On My Shoulder (www.angelonmyshoulder.org), a Wisconsin-based non-profit organization dedicated to empowering, enhancing quality of life and providing "comfort" for those affected by cancer. In addition to operating the camps, the organization also provides support to individuals, families and caregivers experiencing the cancer crisis, grants requests of those living with cancer and promotes awareness through advocacy and networking with other cancer service organizations.

Angel on My Shoulder Founder/Executive Director Lolly Rose said the new beds will help make Camp Angel and Camp Teen Angel an even more pleasant and comfortable experience for the more than 100 campers, ranging in age from 8-15, who attend the weekend retreats twice each year. The camps' mission is to provide a fun, carefree support weekend for young people undergoing similar cancer-related experiences in their families.

"We are so grateful to Verlo Mattress Factory Stores for the beds and for giving back to the community in such a special and unique way," said Rose, who founded Angel On My Shoulder in 1995, in memory of her late husband, Dick, who fought a courageous battle with cancer. "These camps are a source of strength and camaraderie for children who are affected by cancer. The generosity of companies like Verlo Mattress Factory Stores allow us to continue the camps' mission of providing these young people with a place where they know it's OK to smile, laugh and have fun, even though a loved one is hurting or if they have lost a family member to cancer."

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