Trade Winds Wall-Hugging Futon Frame Operates From the Front

Conover, NC — The new Majuro Futon from Laneventure’s Cabana Joe Collection, Trade Winds division, can be repositioned from the front thanks to a newly patented reclining mechanism designed by Dana Fitts. The space-saving unit sits just six inches from the wall and need not to be moved to recline the bedding.

This is not your average dorm futon. Need a quick nap at the office? A porch bed? Or unembarrasing, sophisticated sleep quarters for two more at the condo? The Majuro Futon offers luxury comfort with a sophisticated, distinct personality and is available in a full range of fabrics. Now arriving at retail locations nationwide just in time for Spring shoppers.

Night And Day Furniture’s Rattan Futon Sales Soar

Night And Day Furniture’s hugely successful rattan line, featuring their popular Rosebud and Magnolia models, will be one of the highlights of their upcoming show in San Francisco.

“We hit the ground running with these models since their debut late last year. Everyone, I mean everyone, wants the line,” says owner Mike Gallawa, “I think it’s because our rattan futon frames are real rattan furniture - it’s the real thing, not just futon arms with rattan inserts.”

Night And Day rattan designs are decorative, luxurious and classic and they have chosen names of flowers for the models to make the point. The Magnolia is a solid model fully wrapped in broad weave rattan, and sits on turned wooden feet. The Magnolia also features a solid wood futon arm rest that opens for storage.

The Rosebud is a classic. Its curving wooden legs futon frame a herringbone panel of woven rattan. “It is a model you could put anywhere,” Gallawa said. “Of course when a product hits this big and this fast your demand will generally outstrip your supply. It happened. But I am very pleased to report that output has jumped, and we are ready to move product.”

August Lotz Announces Great Success With Solid Oak

August Lotz recently announced that its new line of front loading solid oak futon frames, “The Pacific Collection”, as well as the new lower priced domestic ash frames (starting at under $200) are turning out to be a great success. The president of August Lotz, Mark Schlichter, stated, “The reason for such outstanding success is simple. Imagine you are a consumer and are comparison shopping between two futon stores. You are comparing futon frames which look, and are priced, about the same. When you, as a consumer, find that the August Lotz import offered: consistent quality; dovetail construction; thicker dimension lumber; that it can be reclined while in the sitting position; is a front loader; has a warranty backed by a company which has been in business since 1897; has the lowest warranty rate; and is in the same price range as other futon frames without those features, it only makes sense to choose an August Lotz product.”

Schlichter went on to state he believes this is the strongest solid oak program ever offered, and has features and benefits previously unavailable. He also said that until now, a consumer would have to spend hundreds of dollars more to get a futon frame with these features. And as the Pacific Collection has been treated with the traditional August Lotz standard of only accepting the highest quality, August Lotz futon retailers have been able to focus on selling, not on all the hidden costs associated with warranty issues.

“A futon store who carries our new product line up has a significant advantage over a competitor who does not,” he said. He added that futon retailers receive an excellent value with front loading, solid oak and ash frames, that start under $150 and top off at around $200 in the full size. There are currently six front loading styles available in queen, full, love and chair sizes.

“Our futon retailers can now purchase all their futon frames from one source and still be assured of August Lotz quality,” Schlichter said, “We discovered we could offer proven styles at competitive price points which are intended to offer a higher level of quality than typically expected. They are designed to be the strongest step up from the entry level price range, and the quality shows. After all, we are known throughout the futon industry to have a rigorous QC program. We stand behind our quality.”

August Lotz is also introducing great point of purchase material for “The Pacific Collection” as well as their domestic ash frames. Schlichter also announced another exciting development for August Lotz: “The Value Line” futon mattress collection. This line offers new and aggressively priced full size futon mattresses starting at just $42.00, with even further discounts for truckload quantities. This new collection includes a cotton/foam blend in six inch, eight inch and ten inch thicknesses, as well as an eight inch coil spring.

Serta Signs Futon Licensing Agreement with Wolf

Itasca, Illinois — Serta has signed a licensing agreement with Wolf Corporation to make and market Serta-branded futons throughout North America. Wolf launched the Serta program during the International Home Furnishings Market in High Point, North Carolina. The company plans to begin shipping the product this summer.

“Serta and Wolf have joined forces to create what we believe are some of the finest futons in the marketplace,” said Jeff Van Tuyle, vice president of sales. “This is a strong partnership between two companies known for their commitment to product excellence.”

“We have built unique features into the Serta futon that make it one of the most advanced futons available today,” noted Tony Wolf, president of Wolf Corporation. “Futon retailers have a full range of comfortable, durable, and high quality selections they can offer their customers.”

Wolf Corporation, one of the oldest family-run companies in the United States, has been in business for more than 128 years. The company is headquartered in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Serta is a bedding brand leader and the manufacturer of the best-selling premium futon mattress in America, the Serta Perfect Sleeper®, the luxury Perfect Night® collection, and Masterpiece- brand mattresses.

Futon & Specialty Sleep Expo Confirms New Dates for 2003

Friant, CA-The Futon Association announces new dates for its 2003 trade show and conference. The upcoming annual event is set for Sunday - Tuesday, March 2 - 4, 2003 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Look for the best the Futon and Specialty Sleep Industries have to offer, all under one roof in America’s favorite destination, Las Vegas, NV.

Special rates on hotel rooms are being offered at the Sahara Hotel and Casino, just down the street and about a 5 minute walk from the convention center. Weekday rates are set at $49.00 and Friday-Saturday rates are $109.00.

Tracy Hamlin Named Merchandising Manager at Hickory At Home

Hickory At Home, the consumer division of Hickory Springs Manufacturing, one of the nation’s largest suppliers to the furniture and bedding industries, has named Tracy Hamlin to the newly created position of Merchandising Manager. She reports to Eddie Alala, Jr. and will be responsible for the creation of a strategic futon product program for Hickory At Home, as well as the implementation of marketing campaigns, coordination of trade shows, and design and development of all products in the Hickory At Home product line.

Hamlin joined Hickory Springs in 1987 and brings an extensive background in foam, fiber and futon products to this position.

Hickory At Home, the consumer division of Hickory Springs, has relocated showrooms in High Point, for enhanced market presence for their expanded bunk bed, metal bed and futon product categories. Additions to the product line this market were several all-wood bunk beds in white and honey pine finishes, along with two new hardwood additions to their futon frame lineup, the Jackson and the Burlington. The new show space is located at 243 Main Street in the Cramco Furniture Displays Building, space C 7&8.