Marquis Exotic Solid Hardwood Futons & Bedroom Furniture
Introduced at High Point Show MELBOURNE
(FL.) — Marquis Furnishings introduces its new line of exotic domestic solid hardwood futon frames and bedroom furniture at the High Point Market, Commerce and Design Building, space 7F, October 14 to 22
Marquis Furnishings uses North American cherry, oak, maple as well as exotic black walnut and rare birds-eye maple. Styles are notable for their simplicity, workmanship and skillful heirloom quality. Buyers will see some of the most magnificent hardwood furniture on the market today, company President Mark Crispen announced.
SIS Covers Marquis Furnishings manufactures futon and bedroom furniture and is a division of Crispen Holdings, a 15 year-old Florida-based company. Two new bed frames—the “Marquis”, a spindled hoop design, and the “Mission” – are complemented by matching blanket chests, night stands, and dressers.
Limited Production Emphasized
“Previously, the line has been sold in several U. S. markets with excellent results. For the first time it will be available to selected futon and furniture merchants nationally,” Crispen said.
“This is a non-mass produced hand made product line. Futon retailers are urged to secure exclusivity early. Production will be limited,” he said.
“Hand rubbing brings out the true beauty of North America’s most stunning solid hardwoods. To our knowledge, no other futon or bedroom sets have the luster, individuality or drama found in the Marquis line,” he announced.Marquis Furnishings is represented nationally by The Glasser Group of Tampa, FL.
Bluestone Mills Introduces New SOHO Line
The Pennsylvania Amish produced solid appalachian oak futon furniture manufacturer is introducing modular home office and occasional tables in its Westminster collection, designed in the currently hot “Arts and Crafts” look.
The collection includes: a desk with keyboard tray; return with pencil drawer; hutch with CD storage and stylish bookcase doors; lateral file; bookcase; liquor bar; sofa table; coffee table, end table, and two plant stands. Features include: pewter hardware, European slides and hinges, and halogen lighting, along with baltic birch drawers. All are available in Chardonnay and Cognac finishes.
“The introduction of this new collection will expand our customer base to include oak specialty and full line conventional furniture retailers,” said Robert Thomas, national sales manager, who added, “It will also provide our existing futon specialty retailers with the additional accent pieces that their customers have been requesting.”
The collection is being introduced at the October High Point Furniture Market at the Radio Building on the fourth floor.
August Lotz Prepares for High Point and the Future
The futon industry is maturing. Retailers are now selling price points that only a couple of years ago they were afraid to try, and many conventional furniture stores have experimented with futons and had very positive results. However, there is still much growing up ahead.
“I feel that the biggest danger to the futon industry is selling inferior quality products,” says Mark Schlichter, August Lotz President. “We must protect the integrity of the futon industry if we want to survive,” he said. Schlichter went on to say that selling cheap, low end products with low margins and numerous
service problems, will affect the level of customer service and therefore have a corrosive effect on the whole futon industry. “We must present our products in the most appealing manner as possible and stop taking a back seat to conventional furniture. Our products are the most unique and functional products in the market,” he said. He added that taking the functional advantage that we now have and running with it is the task of both the futon manufacturers who make it and the futon store owners who sell it. “We all need good margins to properly do the job and low end, low margin, poor customer service, poor presentation is not the way to last!,” he said.
With that in mind, August Lotz plans to capitalize on the upcoming International Home Furnishings Market in High Point, NC with several new products in a new location. The company invites everyone to come see them in Suite 7G of the C&D Building.
In other updates the August Lotz Company will be adding two new futon mattresses to their already diverse product line. “The Eternity” is a 10 inch thick, all foam futon mattress which is just one of three mattresses currently utilizing August Lotz’ patented Memory Foam Hinge, allowing thicker mattresses to hold their fold. “The Eternity” also boasts a Lifetime Warranty! At the opposite end of the spectrum, August Lotz will be introducing a new starting price point futon mattress - at an exceptional value.
Also, responding to a demand for more hard rock maple products, the company will be showcasing two new futon styles at High Point. “These are actually re-introductions of two existing Northern White Ash futon arm styles that have extremely successful sales histories,” said Schlichter, “and we’re anticipating a tremendous response to these maple versions.” Both the Craftsman and Avalon models will become front operating units when produced in Maple, by utilizing the current 6600 bodies.
In other company news, recent internal promotions have given August Lotz veteran, Kathy Goltz, the new title of Inside Sales & Customer Service Coordinator. “Kathy has been the company’s Credit and Office Manager for the past three years,” said Schlichter. “During her tenure with August Lotz, Kathy has worked closely with the sales department and is very familiar with the product line and the customer base,” Schlichter said.
Harlee Expands Sales and Service Team to Better Serve Retailers
Harlee International, an eighteen year veteran of the futon and furniture industry has expanded its sales and support staff to better serve futon store owners. New to the Harlee family is outside sales representative Bob Mills who will be visiting and serving customers in the Southern California areas of Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and the central and eastern portion of Los Angeles county. Bob also serves the cities of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Yuma, Arizona. Bob has many years of conventional mattress experience and brings this expertise to Harlee customers.
Futon retailers in North and South Carolina and Virginia will soon be meeting new Harlee outside sales representative, Larry Craver. Having over five years of experience in owning and operating a retail furniture store, Larry knows the retailer’s side well and will be sharing his expertise with customers in those states.
Also new to Harlee is Jacqueline Wills who joins Tricia Hodawanus and Mary Cripps in the Customer Service Department in the California office to help futon retailers nationwide with their requests, questions, orders, and follow up. Jackie came to Harlee with a history of customer service in the consumer financial industry.