INDUSTRY UPDATES

Night and Day Furniture Awarded Consumer Digest’s Best Buy

Consumer Digest Magazine has selected Night and Day’s Premium Collection, featuring the Shoe Fittings™ operating system, as its choice for its BEST BUY award.

As Mike Gallawa says, this reputable consumer magazine speaks for itself. He gladly quotes: "After testing numerous futon frames…Night and Day was the clear winner for us. We tested the Twilight model, and not only do we like the smooth finish on the frame, but we found it extremely easy to open and close in a few easy movements."
It is nice to see futons getting mainstream consumer attention. Consumer Digest’s October 2004 issue conducted a broad and comprehensive survey of futon products. Check it out. Congratulations, Night and Day.

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Gold Bond Plans July Las Vegas Grand Opening

Futon mattress leader Gold Bond plans a stunning Las Vegas debut this July at new World Market Center showrooms. High above the fastest-growing city in the USA where new technologies and talents are routinely introduced, Gold Bond will continue repositioning the new futon as a fundamental part of America’s home furnishings future. Gold Bond will showcase comfort and value, futons’ two great selling benefits, as part of new introductions to its super premium futon mattress lines. Bob Naboicheck, president of Gold Bond, said the company will be "making a significant statement at this market" in its new space (WMC #1038).

Gold Bond’s 10th floor location places futons alongside some of the nation’s best-known home furnishings showrooms in the new billion dollar downtown furniture market.
Futons’ high profile at the Las Vegas market this year is intended to keep "the high-comfort futon option" widely available for consumers, Mr. Naboicheck said. He said Gold Bond will also be showing conventional mattresses, including the Prestige Elegance – described by Furniture Today as "The Most Comfortable Bed (at High Point’s fall market) which combines encased coils, cashmere, wool, silk, visco and other foams in a $3,000 bed."

The City of Las Vegas and the World Market Center have committed to put the new event in the vanguard of national furniture marketing. Seven hundred home furnishing suppliers will exhibit; 1500 more await additional space to be built.

Mr. Naboicheck expects the Gold Bond permanent space to be active. "It’s a 24-hour town. People close deals here all day and all night. Statistics show buyers spend about 25 percent more time on the floor in Las Vegas over other cities. Las Vegas also generally gets higher attendance than in other towns, with 15 to 20 percent more attendees compared to other markets." Gold Bond (800-873-8498) will show with SIS Covers and Adonis Furniture.

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Cotton Works Adds Interior Designer to Its Staff

To ensure their continued position of respect in the industry, Cotton Works is pleased to announce the addition of interior designer Judith S. Taylor.

Taylor is president of Shelton Taylor & Associates, an Atlanta design firm.
"Judy’s professional experience will keep Cotton Works up to date with the colors, designs and trends of today’s market," said Jim Martin, the president of Cotton Works.
"Her addition to the Cotton Works team is a clear signal that we will have what our customers and their customers want – whenthey want it," he added.

Lynn Martin, who serves as vice president of the Albany, Ga.-based Cotton Works, feels that her knowledge of the industry and experience in the marketplace will be nicely complimented by Judy’s strong design skills.

"We want to make sure we stay on top of the trends among end-users of our product and that we select the best among the oceans of fabric colors, patterns and materials that are available today," said Lynn Martin.

With a long-standing promise of a three-day turnaround on orders, Cotton Works is able to guarantee the quick response time retailers and end-users have become accustomed to. "Repeat business is the heart of our success," Jim Martin said. "And to keep that heart pumping, we know we must keep it happy and healthy."

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Bourne International Updates

Because of the success of Bourne’s bedroom and futon sofabeds in their genuine Javanese teak and their insistence on using only certified/smart wood, they are behind schedule on shipping. Bourne refuses to use any farm (pirated/illegal) or teak-like woods.

According to Chet Stoler, President of Bourne International, "Our dealers and their consumers have to understand that this product is made from genuine teak, and it is a precious wood. It is being replenished, but it is not an abundant wood such as oak, ash or
rubber wood."

Bourne has projected out orders to their factories and its mills, so they can secure supplementary supply for the following year.

If there are any comments or questions regarding the Bourne teak program, please call 1-360-816-1054.

Bourne International is sending out their new consumer dealer catalogs. This catalog shows all of Bourne’s product line and includes a CD for their customers’ printing and
marketing needs.

It features Bourne’s oak mission line, genuine teak bedroom, futon sofabed, opium bed and java collection, rustico futon sofabed and all of their teak and oak accessories (includes fern stands, screens, drop leaf desks, magazine stands, tables and rocking chairs).

If you are interested in the Bourne line, please call 1-360-816-1054.

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Elegant & Functional

Futon Place is pleased to release The Bell Park solid frame.

The Bell Park frame combines beauty, functionality and elegance. It is one of Futon Place’s "Rock Solid Frames" with a patented front-loading operating system. The Bell Park’s arms are individually hand made out of rattan. Each arm supports a magazine rack that opens to a 45-degree angle. The Bell Park is available in medium oak finish.
For more information, contact Futon Place at 805-963-3343 or visit our website, www.futonplace.net.

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World Market Center Expands 1st Las Vegas Market By 40 Percent

World Market Center officials announced that they have expanded the size of the first Las Vegas Market in July 2005 by 40 percent. The country’s largest new home furnishings market, underway in Las Vegas, will now encompass 2.3 million square feet of permanent and temporary exhibition space, up from the 1.6 million square feet that was originally planned.

The expansion will be satisfied through an additional 630,000 square feet of exhibition space, contracted at Las Vegas Convention Center, with provisions to add more space as needed.

With this expansion plan, officials also announced the Market will take place July 25-29, 2005, in order to accommodate this overflow and maximize available convention space in Las Vegas.

"We are thrilled by the tremendous demand for space at Las Vegas Market,"
said World Market Center’s General Manager Dave Palmer, "and decided that it would be advantageous to our Market and to our exhibitors to expand the offering."

"With this development, we are creating a larger, better experience for the buyer. The more exhibitors, the more critical mass, the more successful our Market will be," Palmer added. "Having grown our debut event by 40 percent, before even opening the facility, is an example of the kind of impact Las Vegas is having on the home furnishings industry."

"The demand for space among temporary exhibitors has always been very strong," said Babs Blair, Director of Leasing. "However, what is now perfectly clear is how much our permanent tenants in the next phases want to be a part of our inaugural Market. They do not want to miss the most highly anticipated industry event. It will be a dynamic Market and we are so pleased that we will be able to add more resources for the buyers."
Blair said that Phase Two and Three tenants will likely have the first opportunity to locate at the temporary exhibition space on campus, known as World Pavilions and consisting of 345,000 square feet. World Pavilions is adjacent to Phase One, the 1.3 million square foot permanent facility currently under construction.

In all, World Market Center expects to host as many as 700 exhibitors for the first Las Vegas Market as a result of this expansion.

To link World Market Center’s campus with the Las Vegas Convention Center, a continuous shuttle program will be offered each day of Market. This is in addition to the already planned shuttles to and from individual hotel properties.

Las Vegas Market also recently launched its newly re-designed website and its online registration program. The new site delivers high style with high functionality and gives both buyers and exhibitors the tools and information they need to successfully plan for the first Las Vegas Market.

Construction of World Market Center is ahead of schedule, with completion of the first building and tenant build-outs expected by May 2005. Phase One will feature permanent showrooms showcasing furniture, decorative accessories, lighting, area rugs, bedding, floral and related segments, as well as a Design Center open year ‘round to members of the trade.

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Elite Introduces the Comfort Sac™

Elite Products’ ModFX™ brand is introducing a new product into the alternative furniture world – the Comfort Sac™. This shredded-foam-filled chair comes in four plush and generous sizes: junior, single, double and lounger.

The chairs are filled with high-quality, high-density foam. Slipcovers are available in both fashion-forward and traditional colors. The company created a new line of Microfibre® fabrics specifically for the Comfort Sac.

The Comfort Sac will be hitting several large retailers in 2005. The chairs are vacuum-packed and shrunken so they can be easily and inexpensively shipped anywhere nationwide.

For more information, visit www.americanfurniturealliance.com or email Mike McCarthy at mmccarthy@afa3.com.

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Omni Softgoods Celebrates 20-year Anniversary

When she first took over the business in November 1984, Robin Reid had only a couple of people working with her. "We basically did it all–stitching the covers, stuffing the mattresses and driving the van everywhere to make deliveries," Reid said. "And I was caring for two babies!"

But from that humble beginning, Omni grew into one of the most respected organizations in the futon industry and now employs close to 40 people, many of whom have been with the company for more than a decade.

Determined to create a pleasant work environment for her work force, Reid built a completely new factory in 1994. Windows were installed in the manufacturing area, the sewing area was arranged in a way that allowed the employees to converse while working, and machines were upgraded to help maintain the health of her workers. These ideas, which were revolutionary at the time, remain unchanged, and Omni is still looked at as revolutionary today.

Some companies supply cheap goods or have taken their operations out of the country. Whenever there’s a problem you can’t get customer support. Omni has built a reputation for putting their customers first and high quality in both its product and customer support.

Product has changed over the years. Omni continues to make futon covers in a bewildering array of over 250 fabrics. The company has expanded their product line to include bedding, window treatment and the rapidly growing custom and contract products.

To maintain their profile, Omni recently put up their own website, www.omnisoftgoods.com. “Our computer network was recently upgraded and is now on the leading edge of technology,” said Reid.

Reid effectively retired from the company about three years ago and handed over the everyday running of the operation to Marcia Nachreiner, although Reid still consults on major decisions.

As proud as she is of the time spent serving as president of the IFA, Reid said her greatest pleasure has come from developing Omni as a vital part of a great organization. "I never set out to have recognition," she said. "I just wanted to have good people who worked in a good environment and who could make a good living. And I wanted to have some fun along the way." Reid ends her thoughts with, "I guess my dreams came true."

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IFAM Forced to Cancel for ‘05

Because of circumstances beyond their control, producers of the International Furniture & Accessories Marketplace/Outdoor Living Expo have announced today that they have been forced to cancel their July 2005 market.

The inaugural IFAM/OLE furniture market, the first and original international furniture market to take place in Las Vegas, debuted in February of this year and was well received. As originally planned, the organizers scheduled the next market to coincide with the opening of the World Market Center, scheduled for well over a year now to take place July 18-22, 2005. The IFAM/OLE market would then be held twice a year every year to harmonize with the WMC bi-annual dates.

"Unfortunately, plans for our event had to change," explained Shane O’Sheeran, Show Manager for IFAM.

O’Sheeran went on to say, "IFAM/OLE is planning on coming back even stronger in 2006 and is arranging a venue so that no matter what date changes take place, we will be able to harmonize with the WMC’s bi-annual market dates. We are in negotiations with a number of facilities around the city, including privately owned buildings, for that purpose. Once WMC releases a set schedule we will move forward with our plans."
The producers of IFAM/OLE would like to express a sincere thank you to all the many fine companies that have supported their efforts on behalf of the furniture industry, both with the inaugural market last February and for the 2005 IFAM market. They look forward to your continued support for 2006 and beyond.

For further information, contact IFAM/OLE at 702-893-9090 or 800-859-9247.

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Otis goes Flameless and the Futonic Gets a Makeover

Otis gears up for TB603 (California’s new Flammability Standards) with the advent of their FlameSafe line.

In January 2005, Otis’s highly reputed hi-performance mattress and futon line gains a sister line that is clean, simple and safe. Expect the same comfort and durability standards that Otis has been known for though the years. These new performers are wrapped snug in a natural barrier that will protect you from the potential hazards caused from harmful flames. This peace of mind will allow you to sleep secure and peaceful thru the night.

Experience Otis’s new FlameSafe line at the San Francisco Winter Market, January
26-29, 2005.

Other innovations for Otis due out for the opening of the World Market Center in July 2005 are: New Optimal Sleep Systems and the Futonic (the original electric futon frame) gets an affordable makeover that you will want for your store.

If you have further questions, please contact our headquarters at 800-588-6847.

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Thanks for the Survey Responses

Thanks to all of you who responded to our 2004 retail survey. Since 1992, Futon Life has presented the best and most in-depth third party analysis of the futon sofa sleeper industry, bar none. We’re all futons, all the time, and couldn’t do it without you.

If you’re a numbers wonk, the full results of all our past surveys as well as the 2004 results are online.

Speaking of websites, all eligible survey respondents have been entered in our Futon Life Free Website drawing. See the rules and regulations for the drawing. One lucky winner will be chosen no later than Feb. 1, 2005, and will be contacted by Futon Life publisher Joe Tatulli. The winner will be announced in our next issue.

Thanks again for your participation. If you’d like to give us a piece of your mind at any time, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us at contactus@futonlife.com.

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