Monticello Oak To Bring New Designer Collection To May Futon Expo

The Monticello Oak Futon Collection is manufactured by Budoff Classic Furniture of Monticello, NY, a company that employs Old World craftsmanship and superior American hardwoods in its fine furniture. Budoff's Executive Vice President and General Manager Martin Tratt said the company's objectives include maximizing futon retailers' sales and profits.

The company recently began adding 80,000 square feet of production area to its upstate New York facility. The Monticello Oak Futon Collection will be manufactured from white oak only, a hardwood of choice for both modern and traditional furniture designers. Cabinet and furniture makers, bridge builders, master carpenters and ship makers have used this oak throughout American history. White oak is an easily harvested and replenished resource. Its environmentally-sound status will be noted on all in-store signs.

The 25 piece Monticello Oak Futon Collection was created by leading home furnishings designer Steven Sanfilippo. "Although innovative in design, Monticello Oak is aggressively priced and falls well within the mainstream of popular-selling, high-volume, furniture styles," Glasser said. The Glasser Group represents Monticello nationally. Each futon collection includes oak frame, love seat, chair, coffee table and end tables.The Monticello Oak Retail Marketing Program provides in-store gallery signs, advertising ad slicks, logo sheets, line art and photography drop-ins, product catalogues, hang tags and table top-easel signs.

Home Express' Introduces Inventory Reduction System

Home Express Inc., located in Philadelphia, PA, is a manufacturer of futon frames and platform beds in 100% solid American red oak. The company currently offers more than 30 styles of oak arms, covering all the vital price points. All the arm styles are available in four standard and nine custom finishes. "Our maximum potential capacity is 4,000+ frames per month at the current factory," said company President, Scott Lee. "By using efficient production techniques and custom-made machinery our pricing is a big surprise to the whole futon industry, including any price comparisons to imported product," said Lee.

All the arms' styles are interchangeable for all the different bi-fold and lounger sizes. "Knowing how to control inventory is one of the key elements in successful retailing," said Lee, "and Home Express developed our Inventory Reduction System to let futon retailers purchase arms and bodies separately." Lee added that for the smaller store his IRSystem would allow them to physically display more arm styles in a limited space. "For the larger company the system will significantly reduce their risk by allowing them to show more styles and yet still maintain the same instock inventory budget," he said. As a domestic manufacturer, Home Express is never out of stock, and is proud to say that all futon frames are made in the U.S.A.

Harlee & Casual LifestylesTeam up for High Point Market

For the first time, two powerhouses of the futon industry have teamed up to show together at the International Home Furnishings Market in High Point, NC. Harlee International, one of the largest and most respected importers of high quality hardwood futon furniture and the leader in innovative design for mid to mid-high point futon frames, and Casual Lifestyles, the long time leader in mid-high to high end bedroom sets, futon mattresses, solid oak futon frames, sofafutons and their popular trend setting line of futon covers will be showing together in the Furniture Plaza building.

"Futon buyers can now come to one booth to see over 3,500 square feet of the very best that the industry has to offer in the way of the high quality products and the new and innovative original designs that are setting the pace for the futon industry." said Chet Stoler, President of Casual Lifestyles of Minneapolis, MN.

"Joining the two companies for Market made good sense" said Steve Leichter, president of Harlee International of Corona, California. "Harlee futon frames have always complimented the Casual Lifestyles product and Harlee's new line of solid oak futon frames, which were introduced in San Francisco last January, fills the niche between our mid-line imported hardwood futon frames and Casual Lifestyles high end oak line."

"In fact, many of Casual Lifestyles' customers also carry Harlee products as their entire line." added Stoler.

In addition to their regular offerings of popular futon furniture, Harlee has added additional original arm styles to both their imported hardwood futon frames and their new line of solid oak futon frames. In addition to several surprises on tap for market, Casual Lifestyles will be showing two new models of their innerspring futon mattresses designed for the promotional and high end.

FL.