Lofa Sales Announces Viens’ Factory Expansion

Atelier de Bois J.A. Viens, affectionately known by its customers as Joe’s Wood Shop, has undertaken a major factory renovation this summer to keep up with increasing demand for its “Canadian Grey” pine futon frames. The original 11,000 foot facility, located just south of Montréal in the town of Chambly, was expanded in June 1995 to 16,000 feet by adding a warehouse. This time, however, it was necessary to add another 4,000 feet to production to 3,500 feet for a wood storage and shipping area, bringing the total up to 23,500 square feet!
“Our concept of marketing the top selling hardwood futon frame designs in pine is what sets us apart from the rest,” according to Mitch Wapen of Lofa Sales. “By using ‘Canadian Grey’ instead of white pine, we start out with stronger wood. People appreciate that.” Viens’ futon frames also feature metal ball-bearing rollers and seat sections that extend to the ground...each designed to add strength and reduce problems throughout the product line.
It took several years for the market to realize that a well designed and manufactured pine futon frame could hold its own against the hardwood imports, but now that the secret’s out, keeping up with orders has replaced getting new business as the company’s highest priority. Vice President Gilles Viens, who runs the company along with mother, Fernande, and sisters, Carole and Nicole, has engaged a professional “production consultant” to ease the transition to higher volumes and has also ordered the installation of a $150,000 Computerized Numeric Control (CNC) point-to-point machine needed to save time, and increase quality and efficiency.
Except for January’s Ice Storm in Québec, 1998 has been a banner year. Year-to-date sales are up over 20 percent from last year, the factory has landed one of the world’s largest furniture retailers as an account, and new innovations have virtually eliminated former quality control issues. All in all, as they say in Canada, “If it’s pine...it’s fine!”.

Omni’s Limited Addition Line Adds New Futon Pillow Pak

After numerous customer requests, Omni Softgoods has added a “Futon Pillow Pak” to its line of Limited Edition covers.
Limited Edition, a swatched program of low cost high profit futon covers offered on a first-come, first-serve basis, features futon covers in single, double, and queen sizes. All covers are constructed with a five inch corner and three sided zipper for a great fit.
The new Pillow Paks contain one Limited Edition cover and two 17 inch square pillows, packaged in a zippered, heavy duty, see-through package. Solids are coupled with matching pillows, prints have coordinating pillows.
Omni updates its Limited Edition swatches on a regular basis as inventory changes. This means there is always a fresh supply of new fabrics to choose from with the added option of choosing the cover only or the new Pillow Pak.

Omni Notes... What’s In It For You?

Free futon covers...Omni Notes has always offered its customers a wealth of information about Omni products and services, but the next issue may net customers an added bonus. A new promotion premiering next month will prompt customers to thoroughly read each issue and to know their Omni customer number. In each issue a customer number will be hidden somewhere in the copy; When that customer finds his or her number and notifies an Omni sales person, a futon cover will be sent out to them free of charge. If the customer misses their number a consolation prize will be sent out.

If You Liked The Movie, You’ll Love The Fabric

Omni Softgoods’ latest update will feature their newest tapestry fabric, TITANIC. Depicting scenes from the early 1900’s, TITANIC’s mystical color combo of icy blue, deep purple, and teal on a black background promise to make it a bestseller. Used on a pillow, with one of Omni’s many fringe options this beautiful new woven jacquard provides a real vintage look. Watch for it!

Bedroom Distributors expands warehouse

Bedroom Distributors, Inc. has expanded their warehouse service centers to a number of new market areas, and the Fort Worth, Texas based importer has recently more than doubled their Texas warehouse facility. Bedroom Distributors, Inc. also warehouses in Sanford, Florida in joint venture with Waterfall Industries, owned by Anthony Lupo and Glen Moller. “This warehouse is currently serving Florida and the East Coast,” said Don Bumgardener, company president. “Florida customers can enjoy freight to their door on Waterfall’s own company truck, with free freight on $750 minimum orders,” he said. Smaller orders will also be available from $13 to $49. “Our Hard Body Futons™ are now available in golden oak finish on selected styles, and the medium oak finish, our champion finish, is also ready to go,” added Bumgardener.
In addition to their Texas and Florida warehouse facilities, the company also has two distributors for the northeast and west coast. “Innovations in Hartford, CT is now carrying some of our best selling futon frames for quick shipping, and The Futon Place in Santa Barbara, CA is handling sales for the west coast. We are proud to be associated with these successful distributors,” he said.
Bedroom Distributors now can successfully service the entire United States with competitive freight rates, and ship extremely fast. “Service is the name of the game, and we feel like we have the best service in the industry, and our hard body futon frames are totally unique to anything else on the market. They have 30 percent more wood, and weigh one-third more than eighty percent of the other imports. If you don’t believe us, just try lifting one. Weight never lies!” said Bumgardener.

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