FAI Membership Drive and Futon Expo Update
The Futon Association International (FAI) recently had a membership drive and is happy to report that futon retail membership has increased significantly this year. The main focus of the drive was the Find A Retailer program that FAI offers retail consumers at www.futon.org.
“Futon retailers are really taking advantage of the Find A Retailer program,” states Brian Donohoo, FAI President. “Our website (www.futon.org) receives thousands of visits a month from consumers looking for a retailer in their area. Futon stores that are listed on our site are getting their information in front of many new buyers.”
FAI will publish its membership directory later this summer. This directory will be an updated version of the directory that many manufacturers and retailers have on their desk today. Member manufacturers will receive a free listing and have the opportunity to increase their exposure in the directory. This directory will be given to over 8000 retail outlets.
The Futon Expo & Specialty Sleep Show (FE&SSS) will head back to Las Vegas in July ‘06 as part of the World Market Center’s Las Vegas Market. Sue Tedesco, FAI Treasurer said, “We sold out the January ‘06 show and many of those exhibitors asked to sign up for the July ‘06 show. Due to the fact we have been allocated less space in July, I think it will go fast.”
The FAI’s FE&SSS will be alongside the Specialty Sleep Association in the Las Vegas Convention Center. Lease applications are now being accepted.
Hickory Springs Neil Underdown Receives Business Leader of the Year Award
The Lenoir-Rhyne College Business Council will honor Parks C. “Neil” Underdown, Jr., Chairman of Hickory Springs Manufacturing Co., as its 2006 Business Leader of the Year. This award recognizes recipients for their lifetime contributions to the community.
Underdown joined his father, Parks C. Underdown, Sr., at Hickory Springs
Manufacturing Company in 1958 and served for more than 48 years in various capacities. Under his leadership, Hickory Springs operates more than 60 operating facilities in 17 states and today is a leading supplier to the nation’s furniture and bedding industries.
“Neil has always represented the highest level of business ethics,” said J. Donald Coleman, President of Hickory Springs. “We are the company we are today thanks to his visionary wisdom and leadership.”
White Lotus Futon Home Celebrates 25th Anniversary on Earth Day
White Lotus Futon Home will commence their twenty-fifth year of operations on Earth Day, April 22, 2006. Since 1981, the family-owned and operated New Jersey-based business has remained steadfast in its mission to offer an affordable mattress crafted in a way that will foster environmental stewardship and fair labor standards. “White Lotus Futon Home has achieved this through keeping jobs local while reducing the use of fossil fuels and their byproducts,” said company President, Theodore Casparian. “At White Futon Lotus Home everything truly is handmade in the USA with a continuous commitment to a healthy environment,” he said.
White Lotus handcrafts only “green” futon products. “The cotton used in the manufacturing of White Lotus's futons and other products is derived from plant fibers not typically used in the textile industry – those destined to otherwise become agricultural waste. The fibers are deemed “green” because there is no chemical processing after harvest – no bleaching, no fungicides, and no dyes”, Casparian said. White Lotus also offers certified organic cotton mattresses, pillows and other bedding accessories, products made from wool, organic buckwheat, and kapok, as well as mattresses without borates.
Strata Futon Furniture Expands Carriage Line
Strata Furniture won big in Las Vegas by introducing new futon frames in their expanding Carriage Line. Strata Furniture is well known for true “wall hugger” futon frames: frames that do not need to be moved away from the wall in order to be made into a bed.
“The response to our wall hugger line has been incredible,” states Brian Donohoo, President of Strata Furniture. “Customers are looking for a futon frame that they can convert without moving it away from the wall. Our Dillon futon frame was a huge hit at the January World Market Center show.” The Carriage Line expansion will include a new contemporary arm style as well as another stain finish. The Carriage Line was an expansion of Strata Furniture’s Signature Collection. The same quality craftsmanship, unique styles and patented mechanism are present in both futon collections.
“We are known for our high end line,” Donohoo said, “and retailers are exited that we are bringing the same characteristics to a mid price line.”
FLLS