Bar Code Standard
The Bar Code Standard was developed through the work of AHFA's Bar Code Task Group and published in 1994. You do not have to be an AHFA member to view the 36-page standard.
Go to the Bar Code Standard >

Serialized Labeling of Furniture
In 2002 the American Furniture Manufacturers Association's Information Technology Board of Directors decided to address the issues of serial numbers for furniture products and serial number labeling. These conventions are the results of about six months of collaborations with AHFA members, FIDX (Furniture Industry Data Exchange), NHFA (National Home Furnishings Association) and HFIA (Home Furnishings International Association.)
Go to Serialized Labeling of Furniture >

Inventory Management
In 2002 the American Furniture Manufacturers Association's Information Technology Board of Directors decided to address the issues that prevented furniture manufacturers from using UPC numbers for their products. These conventions are the results of about six months of collaborations with AHFA members, FIDX (Furniture Industry Data Exchange), NHFA (National Home Furnishings Association) and HFIA (Home Furnishings International Association.)
Go to Inventory Management >

Construction & Safety Standards Index
A complete index of furniture construction and safety standards and specifications is provided on the AHFA Standards page. This unique index is organized by product category and lists standards from more than a dozen different government sources. Although extensive and updated regularly, the referenced standards and specifications are not represented as being exhaustive, the most recently issued or legally binding.
Go to the Standards Index >

Polyurethane Foam Standard
Published in 1994, the Joint Industry Foam Standards and Guideline is an 82-page document covering all types of foam used in upholstery construction.
Go to the Polyurethane Foam Standard >

Recliner Chair Guideline
This single-page document details the construction standard and safety language for recliner mechanisms.
Go to the Recliner Chair Guideline >

Woven & Knit Upholstery Fabric Standards & Guideline
The Joint Industry Fabric Standards and Guidelines Committee was formed in the mid-1970s to develop standards for woven and knit upholstery fabrics. This 45-page document is the third update to the original standard. Through continuing reviews and refinements, the committee strives to keep test methods and performance criteria updated to reflect field performance of fabrics.
Go to the Fabric Standards & Guideline >

PUBLICATIONS

Furniture Executive
This monthly membership newsletter is mailed to all member companies. It includes news on upcoming programs and events, a message from the AHFA President, news from Washington, updates on the AHFA public relations program, and updates on AHFA member benefits and programs. The current issue can be viewed online.
Current Issue >

Human Resources Close-Up
This monthly online newsletter is produced by AHFA in conjunction with James W. "Jim" Wimberly of Wimberly & Lawson, Atlanta, Ga. Content addresses pertinent legal subjects in the employment/labor relations arena, along with relevant court and National Labor Relations Board cases. Members can sign up to receive this newsletter by using the administrative tools section of the website and checking Human Resources Close-Up under "Personal Interests Profile."
Current Issue/ Members Only >

Suppliers on Demand
Suppliers on Demand is an online newsletter designed to help manufacturer members find the product and service suppliers they need, when they need them. It is updated quarterly and includes news from Supplier Division members, as well as new product and service announcements. Companies must be AHFA Supplier Division members in order to announce new products or services in this newsletter.
Current Issue >

SURVEYS & STATISTICS

Annual Financial Performance Indicators Report
This confidential survey contains balance sheet and income statement data, as well as financial and operating ratios. Benchmarks are tabulated by product and company size to allow participants to analyze company performance. Current year and historical information. Available to participants only.
Available to participants only

Management Salary Survey
This survey of management compensation is conducted every other year.
Available to participants only

Manufacturers Wage Information
Annual wage statistics for production and management positions from the Department of Labor.
For more information >

Sales Reps Compensation Survey
The survey of sales representative compensation within the home furnishings industry is available only to AHFA members. Ninety-seven percent of the respondents were commission independent representatives.
2005 Survey >

Quarterly Financial Performance Indicators Report This report highlights current conditions in the residential furniture industry. Results are based on data from a key group of participating member companies, including shipments, inventory and receivables for wood and upholstered household furniture.
Go to the Quarterly Financial Performance Indicators Report >

Non-members may subscribe to the report for $50 a year.
Click here to subscribe to the Quarterly Financial Performance Indicators Report >

VALUE-ADDED SERVICES

Compliance and Labeling
AHFA has developed a strategic partnership with Assured Products Group to assist members with managing labeling requirements and the many layers of regulatory compliance associated with today’s ever growing number of environmental and safety laws.

Assured Products Group gives regulators, vendors, retailers and consumers 24/7 access to compliance documentation, including chain of custody, general conformance certificates, Lacey Act documentation and more. All parties can verify product compliance on the web, via smart phone or in the store.

Members receive tailored solutions based on their size, business focus and supply chain challenges. The AHFA member rate for the Assurance & Authentication system and use of the proprietary marks used to label, trace, certify and authenticate products manufactured, produced or distributed by AHFA members is 60 percent off Assured Product Group’s normal rates. More information on Assured Products Group and its services is available at www.apgrp.com, or contact Jim Chester at email jchester@apgrp.com or 727/244-7682.

Consumer Product Testing
State and federal regulations aimed at protecting the environment are constantly changing. For 25-plus years, Chemserve Lab, a NELAC-, A2LA- and CPSC-accredited lab, has been providing TCLP analysis, hazardous waste disposal analysis, VOC and RCRA metals analysis for soil, wastewater and groundwater. In addition, our CPSIA testing and analysis services address lead content in paints and coatings for wood and leather. Specialty analysis also is available for environmental and consumer product challenges. AHFA members receive a 30 percent discount on all testing services. Contact Jay Chrystal at 603/673-5440 or jay@chemservelab.com for more information. AHFA Member Discounts >

Container Shipping
Discounted rates on container shipping are offered through Globe Express Services. The program is designed to offer support to smaller importers shipping fewer than 500 containers a year. Services provided by GES include freight forwarding, overseas warehousing and consolidation, domestic drayage, customs brokerage, regulatory (CT-PAT) compliance, domestic warehousing/transload, and intermodal transportation (rail/over-the-road trucking). On-line visibility (track and trace) is also available via Globe’s proprietary system, iRADAR®. Details are available at www.globeexpress.com/ahfa.asp, or by contacting Michelle Hall at Globe Express, 678/428-1912 or michelle.hall@globeexpress.com.

Credit Card Savings
AHFA member companies have experienced a growing rate of credit card orders, not just from designers and small retail companies, but, increasingly, from larger accounts, as well. Processing fees can add up to tens of thousands of dollars – so AHFA negotiated a group program to bring the absolute lowest possible processing rates to our members! For a free comparison of processing rates, members should simply forward a current merchant statement to Elavon's Kimberly Layton at Kimberly.Layton@elavon.com or call 866/638-8614.

Employee Relocation Programs
AHFA members receive discounted relocation services from Excel Moving and Storage, agent for Allied Van Lines. Services include discounted rates on state to state moves, a one-contact relocation coordinator, free valuations, transit enhancements, guaranteed dates, quarterly detailed reports, 24-hour shipment tracking and COD or direct billing options. Members may contact Shannon Roberts at 800-699-7796 or e-mail sroberts@excelms.com.
Go here for more information >

Atlas Van Lines Employee Relocation Program
AHFA offers member companies a special discounted relocation program for employee household moves. The program provides member companies a significant discount on transportation, packing, storing (if needed), supervision of relocation and free full value replacement insurance through City Transfer & Storage, an Atlas Van Lines agent in High Point, NC. For additional information, contact Debbie Prince at 800/334-2648.

Discounted Environmental Services
Stratus Environmental Solutions, an AHFA Supplier Division member, offers AHFA members an across-the-board discount of 10% on all project labor. The discount applies to technical and permitting services, including air, water, industrial hygiene, ISO and environmental reporting.
Request information >

Fuel Card Program
AHFA's fuel card program offers members reduced fuel costs at thousands of truck stops nationwide. Typical rates are actual wholesale plus 2 to 3 cents, with no transaction fees. The program is managed by OTR Fuel Consulting with fuel card processing by T-Chek Systems, a subsidiary of C.H. Robinson Worldwide. The AHFA card is accepted at over 9,000 truck stops in the United States and Canada. Cash can be issued on the card or the card can be used at any ATM PLUS network machine in the United States or Canada. Participating member companies also have access to E-Stop, a fuel price and news information service that provides daily and historical diesel and gasoline prices along with NYMEX energy quotes, petroleum market news and a host of other critical data related to buying, selling, trading or marketing fuel.
To participate in the fuel card program, contact Jeff Beaumont, OTR Fuel Consulting at 540/494-2453.

Payroll Services
AHFA members receive a group discount on payroll services through Heartland, the fifth largest payment processor in the United States. Services include web-enabled payroll processing, remote check and report printing capabilities, full tax or tax alert service, new hire reporting, benefit accrual tracking and payments, direct deposits, split wrapped payroll, employee pay card programs and more. A three-year, fixed-price agreement also is available to guarantee payroll processing fees. For more information, call Chad Preuss at 402/502-1514 or send an e-mail to chad.preuss@e-hps.com.

Publicity Assistance
A variety of public relations services are offered free-of-charge to AHFA members. These include crisis communication consultations, market event planning consultations, market press kit review and assistance, promotion of new products to the consumer media, and direct-to-consumer promotions through AHFA's consumer website, www.findyourfurniture.com. To be included in the Furniture Finder database on this website, members must fill out the Find Your Furniture survey form.
Go to the Find Your Furniture Survey >

For more information on publicity assistance, contact Jackie Hirschhaut, vice president of marketing and public relations, at hirschhaut@aol.com.

Voluntary Benefit Plans
Personal Series offers a menu of specialty insurance plans allowing member companies to tailor benefit coverage for their employees. Options include dental, vision, cancer and accident insurance. Employers can offer all or choose various combinations. Email info@CWIResourceGroup.com or call 888/737-4377, ext. 119 for information.

TRAINING & EDUCATION