FAI Fax Survey Taps Member Opinions

The Futon Association, in an attempt to gain a true consensus of its members' opinions on a variety of topics, has instituted a new fax polling procedure. The fax poll uses a broadcast fax system to send a detailed questionnaire to each FAI member company. The first fax survey focused on questions regarding the time and place of the Association's trade show, The Futon Expo™, and topic requests for the new conference day planned for the 1998 show in New Orleans in May.

"We wanted to expose several issues to the broad base of our membership" said David Buechner, Association President. "It is our hope that by opening up some of these issues to the full membership we will be enhancing our efforts to be responsive to the various interests of our membership. It also allows us to tap into the many creative ideas our members have about our growing Association and its direction." One of the key issues surveyed on the fax was a section that outlined topics which could be a part of the all day conference on Wednesday (May 20, 1998) of show week. Suggestions included topics from marketing on the internet to how to repair a futon frame.

The Association is also moving forward with its Consumer PR program. "We are currently putting into the hands of our PR firm a full color photo composite sheet for editors. The sheet will also be available to member companies through our office in Chico, CA.," Buechner said. The Association is also working on new consumer oriented brochures for futon retailers to use as handouts to prospective customers.

ISPA Releases Bedding Sales Figures for 1996

ISPA, the International Sleep Products Association, recently released bedding sales figures for the innerspring industry for 1996. In the report, published in July, it was revealed, "that the dollar value of conventional adult-sized mattress and foundation sales rose incrementally in 1996 to $3.26 billion, up 2.6 percent from 1995's total of $3.18 billion."

The report also stated that the strongest growth was in the South (4.2 percent), followed by the North Central region (2.6 percent) and the West (2.1 percent). Sales were reported to be down in the Northeast, falling almost 1 percent to $511.1 million. In summary the report was very optimistic for 1997 and 1998, stating that these years "have the potential to be additional record years for the bedding industry." OBITUARY - Bernie Sugarman of Malden Novelty Passes Away

OBITUARY - Bernie Sugarman of Malden Novelty Passes Away

Bernard Sugarman, President of Malden Novelty Co., of Malden, Massachusetts, passed away on August 25. He began his career working for his father, the late Mendel Sugarman. The company started doing business in 1924. At that time, they manufactured novelty pillows that evolved into furniture covers and  slipcovers. Over the years, Malden Novelty has become a leading manufacturer of promotionally priced futon covers through the guiding hand of Bernard Sugarman.

He will be missed by his employees, business associates, and the industry in which he was an active participant for most of his life.

FL