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| OCTOBER 2010 |
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This is one of largest editions of Suppliers on Demand ever! There are important news updates and insightful advice offered by AHFA Supplier Division members in many different areas of expertise.
Suppliers on Demand is a great place to find the business partners you need to help your company take advantage of growth opportunities that are emerging right now, as the economy is beginning to improve. From new eco-friendly sourcing ideas to the latest technology, you can find AHFA Supplier Division members who provide the industry-specific resources you need. Many offer discounts to AHFA member companies, so be sure to move these companies to the top of your list when the need for a new business partner arises.
AHFA’s Suppliers on Demand newsletter is one of several online tools AHFA offers to help your company find the resources you need, when you need them. Another valuable source is the supplier section of our online membership directory.
When the category of product or service you need is not listed in the Supplier Membership Directory, be sure to check out the comprehensive Industry Resource Guide from the link on the AHFA home page. The guide lists thousands of providers of specialized goods and services and makes it easy for you to conduct targeted online searches. AHFA Supplier Division members are clearly indicated in the Guide with an AHFA Supplier Division logo.
Pat Bowling
Vice President of Communications
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IN THIS ISSUE
ATS Helps Members Define 'Reasonable' Testing Program
Greening Your Supply Chain
Employ 'New' Print for
Up-to-Date 2011 Marketing
F/T to Hold Technology Conference
More Supplier Member News!
New Products from Supplier Members
New Supplier Memberships
WHAT'S HOT
Networking Opportunities at the Sustainability Summit
Innovative Program on Tap for AHFA CEOs
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ATS Helps Members Define 'Reasonable' Testing Program
The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act radically changed the way children’s furnishings can be manufactured, but several provisions in the Act impact all residential furnishings, not just those intended for small children. Among those is the requirement for a “reasonable testing program” to ensure that household furnishings meet any applicable mandatory safety standard.
For example, CPSIA reset the level of lead allowed in paint and surface coatings from 600 parts per million (ppm) to 90 ppm. Children’s products must be tested by a third-party lab recognized by CPSC, but all other household furniture is required to have a certificate of conformity based on a “reasonable testing program.”
A reasonable testing program requires a thorough knowledge of the regulations, a clear understanding of the raw materials that make up your finished products, and a reliable lab that ensures testing is completed in accordance with the standard.
According to Applied Technical Services, an AHFA Supplier Division member and a CPSC-accredited lab, five elements are central components in a “reasonable” testing program:
- Product specifications and applicable standards;
- Certification tests performed on components, in process-samples, and finished goods;
- Process control with established random sampling of batches/lots;
- An action plan for failing test results and possible recalls;
- Documentation and verification of the testing program.
The CPSC is allowing composite testing of various paint colors for total lead analysis. Composite testing involves taking multiple colors and combining them for one lead analysis. So, for example, three different paint colors could be combined for one lead analysis in order to reduce testing costs. When performing composite testing, the total limit amount is divided by the number of composites in the group. For example, if there are three samples in the composite, then the 90 ppm limit for paint would be divided by 3 (90/3 = 30 ppm). So, the composite group must pass a 30 ppm adjusted limit. If the composite does not meet this limit, all three colors must then be retested individually to determine which one caused the composite test to be noncompliant.
Section 101 of the CPSIA bans any accessible part of a children’s product that contains lead in excess of 300 ppm. However, in August 2011, the ban applies to parts with lead in excess of 100 ppm.
“Although the current lead limit is at 300 ppm for children’s products, we recommend setting an internal requirement at 100 ppm now in preparation for the more stringent requirement coming in August 2011,” says Crystal Johnson of ATS. “But companies also need to be aware of any applicable state regulations, such as the 40 ppm requirement in Illinois.”
Some companies are investing in XRF – x-ray fluorescence – screening analyzers to test both finished furniture and furniture components for lead. These hand-held “guns” take seconds or minutes, rather than days, and can be used by non-technical operators.
However, the CPSIA still requires third-party testing as part of a “reasonable” testing program. If the lab is not accredited by CPSC, test results could be considered invalid. A list of accredited labs is available on the CPSC website.
Documentation of testing results is important for creating the certificate of conformity and for maintaining traceable records. Annual recertification is recommended to help companies monitor raw materials and processes used to create finished goods.
“So the keys are to test the materials used in manufacturing, test finished goods for compliance, monitor your manufacturing processes to verify there is no introduction of contaminants, document to establish traceability and market the value your bring to your consumers,” concludes Johnson.
For more information, contact Johnson at cjohnson@atslab.com or go to www.atslab.com
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GREENING YOUR SUPPLY CHAIN
How Sustainability is Driving Management Towards Transparency
Greening the supply chain is rapidly becoming a business imperative for the supplier and customer alike. As companies define and execute sustainability strategies within their own boundaries, they are finding that actively sharing this information within the supply chain creates new sources of value.
As a result, sustainability is driving management towards increasing transparency. The nature of collaboration varies by maturity of the industry, but once companies begin to act aggressively, they tend to find more tangible benefits than expected. An examination of early movers in sustainable supply chain strategies offers ideas on how to proceed.
Drivers for greening the supply chain are the same as those empowering an overall corporate sustainability strategy.
- Increased volatility in input commodity prices
- Opportunities to identify cost savings
- Regulatory and public pressure for carbon disclosure
Companies are asking for varying levels of performance from their suppliers, from wanting to know that they are simply aware of the issues to being able to actively collaborate on the data. Companies that are tracking the benefits and payback of greening their supply chain are finding proof of positive bottom-line results.
AHFA Supplier Division Member Verisae helps companies measure, manage and reduce equipment and energy costs, including the related business and environmental impacts of carbon emissions. They deliver a broad range of sustainability solutions to over 45 global clients with more than 65,000 daily users. Contact Jeff Philips at 770/621-9563 or jphillips2@verisae.com for more information.
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Employ 'New' Print for Up-to-Date 2011 Marketing
Online catalogs are continuing to grow in importance within the home furnishings industry, but print still plays a critical role in the overall marketing mix.
“Printed catalogs are still the most accurate way of communicating color, detail, tones and overall tactile appeal for the home furnishings market,” says Lindsey Gibbs of Supplier Division Member Geographics Inc. “They are portable and have staying power.”
In fact, while social media and online content occupy an increasing amount of time for many marketing managers, others are leveraging print, especially print personalized for the client, as something “new” in their marketing mix for 2011. “What’s old is new again,” Lindsey points out, noting that upscale printing techniques, environmental papers and processes, and creatively linked online and print campaigns are the top attention-getters for 2011. Contact Gibbs at 336/512-3768 for more information on updating your 2011 marketing efforts.
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Furniture/Today to Hold Technology Conference
Online technologies including web sites, Internet marketing and software-as-service technologies are changing the way the home furnishings and gift industries operate. To help retailers and manufacturers leverage these technologies, The Furniture/Today Group of Sandow Media announces a one-day conference focused exclusively on “Boosting Sales Through Online Technologies.” The event is set for November 9, 2010, at the Merchandise Mart Conference Center in Chicago, Ill.
Attendees will hear from industry experts in online marketing, social media, research, mobile and Web development. Panelists from the gift and home furnishings market will share their latest strategies and offer practical advice to their colleagues.
"(The) objective of this event is to provide retailers and manufacturers in the home furnishing and gift industries with actionable, real-world tips and ideas that they can use in their businesses," states Penny Schneck, online manager for Sandow Media. The agenda includes global Internet industry experts who will discuss online trends and emerging technologies as they specifically impact the home furnishings and gift industries. Other speakers will present case studies on how they implemented and evaluated the success of their online programs. A detailed agenda, speaker profiles and registration can be found at http://furnituretodayonline.com/onlinetechconference/.
Registration is $189. The conference fee includes lunch and a conference notebook. Sponsors include Myriad Software, Shopatron, Whereoware, Snap!Retail and MMPI. Sandow Media’s Furniture Group includes Furniture/Today, Home Accents Today, Home Textiles Today, Kids Today, Gifts and Decorative Accessories, Casual Living and Playthings.
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| More Supplier Member News |
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With the ever watchful eyes of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on toxic chemicals and compounds in consumer products, AHFA member Chemserve has sought to expand its scope of accreditations.
In addition to supporting the membership with testing and analysis services for lead in paints and coatings, lead in metal products, and lead in non-metal products for CPSIA compliance, Chemserve holds new certifications to perform analyses for these additional metals in paint: Arsenic, Barium, Cadmium, Chromium, Copper, Mercury, Nickel, Selenium, Zinc and Antimony.
New certifications also have been received by Chemserve to analyze for these additional elements in metal and non-metal products. The scope of services available now includes testing for PBB and PBDE flame retardant compounds, which are routinely used in upholstery production.
As the EPA and CPSC continue to focus on implementing change to make products safer for families and the environment, Chemserve Lab remains current with the changing regulations and provides chemical testing analyses that support AHFA members in their compliance efforts.
www.chemservelab.com
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The Hardwood Forestry Fund (HFF) announced at the 2010 International Woodworking Fair in Atlanta that Columbia Forest Products is the 2010 recipient of the Gifford Pinchot Award. The Award recognizes corporate achievements in promoting sustainable forestry. Gifford Pinchot (1865-1946) was a forester, conservationist, first Chief of the U.S. Forest Service and Society of American Forester founder and president.
HFF Chairman Rick Philipps said, “Columbia’s corporate efforts made their nomination shine: extensive education and training for employees, private landowners and students; active leadership roles in forest products certification; longtime tree replacement efforts with the HFF; increased efficiencies in resource acquisition and manufacturing; leadership with associations and coalitions to promote legal and sustainable practices in the forest products industry. The HFF is proud to recognize Columbia Forest Products for these achievements.”
Earlier this year, Columbia Forest Products also was named a 2010 Corporate Sustainable Standard-Setter by the Rainforest Alliance. The honor recognizes companies that have worked with the Alliance and exhibited outstanding leadership in efforts to promote sustainability.
Columbia has more than 50 years of responsible forestry practices, crowned by its relationship with the Rainforest Alliance’s SmartWood™ certification program, which began over a decade ago. Today, they manage a distributor channel with over 100 locations offering Forest Stewardship Council-certified hardwood plywood to local and regional woodworking businesses.
Columbia’s efforts reach back into the woods as well – where its team of foresters works with private landowners – often writing forest management plans that ensure the long-term sustainability of their timber assets while enabling them to harvest defined amounts over time.
The company has also been recognized for the way it produces its hardwood plywood. In 2007, they received the Environmental Protection Agency’s Presidential Green Chemistry Award for the PureBond® formaldehyde-free technology they use to bond their plywood together. www.columbiaforestproducts.com
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Cory Home Delivery, one of the largest specialized carriers in America, is accelerating its safety programs and procedures. The move is designed to both meet and exceed the requirements of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s 2010 Comprehensive Safety Analysis. This new federal regulation includes proactive measures to increase accountability for safety violations for companies in the transportation industry, including retailers making in-home deliveries.
One of the few home delivery carriers to maintain all current Safety Evaluation Area scores below FMSCA thresholds, CORY is among the top 10 percent of carriers nationwide in terms of low-accident rates in its category.
“The new regulation is likely to impact expense for the entire transportation industry, with greater investments in technology, service and stricter regulatory compliance,” says Joe Cory, chairman. Cory began preparing for CSA2010 two years ago by instituting a stepped-up vehicle/driver inspection program along with a bonus incentive for clean inspections. The investment in training, education, safety seminars, and monthly meetings for managers is reaping positive results, and the CORY team is prepared for change in advance of CSA2010’s required compliance date. www.corycompanies.com
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Donna Gunn
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Donna Gunn has been promoted to creative services director for The Media Matters, a North Carolina-based marketing company founded by Kathy Wall in 2000. In her new position, Gunn reports to Dawn Brinson, vice president of marketing services. Gunn has been with the company for nearly five years as communications manager. She has been responsible for copywriting, editing and proofing, as well as developing creative ideas for the company’s clients, who are primarily home furnishings manufacturers and related organizations. In her new position, Gunn will be responsible for client projects that require copywriting, graphic design and production to include press releases, websites, collateral and advertising materials. Gunn has more than 20 years of administrative and marketing experience with such companies as Lexington Furniture, Sealy and, most recently, Whitewood Industries. She is designated as “Eagle Eyes” on the company website, www.themediamatters.com.
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Dovetail Alliance, a consortium of home furnishings industry service providers, has been selected by Furniture First as a preferred provider to the buying organization’s more than 178 members who operate 385 stores.
Dovetail, which is an AHFA Supplier Division member, will offer a comprehensive set of services to Furniture First members and take part in the organization’s annual member symposium, which features seminars and exhibits by a select group of vendors. www.dovetailalliance.com
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New Products from AHFA Supplier Division members: |
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AHFA now offers a new way for supplier members to get in front of their target audience in the online AHFA Industry Resource Guide, the premier resource for products and services targeted to the residential furniture manufacturing industry.
The “Featured Company” space provides front-page exposure at the top of the guide’s home page. The ad includes a full-color company logo or button-sized graphic, 255-character description and a link to a company website. Just 10 Featured Company spaces are available for 2011. To reserve a space,
CONTACT: 800/816-6710
EMAIL: ahfa@multiview.com
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One of the latest introductions to the Adams Wood Products line is a square island leg. The company stocks a large inventory of solid wood components and also manufactures custom items to the customer’s specifications. All products are manufactured in America using North American Hardwoods.
CONTACT: Doug Myers, 423/587-2942
EMAIL: doug@adamswoodproducts.com
WEB: www.adamswoodproducts.com
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Extend optimization functionality to your ERP system or enterprise software solution with Eurosoft’s SQL Server-based solution. Optimization server provides a clean, open ended way to wholly integrate the optimization of sheet goods into any existing IT infrastructure. Clients submit optimization tasks to an instance of Microsoft SQL Server, where they are analyzed and results logged in a logical, clearly defined table structure. These results are freely accessible to any database application or reporting service.
CONTACT: 919/468-3003
EMAIL: sales@eurosoftinc.com
WEB: www.eurosoftinc.com
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Hickory Springs has introduced the Power Rocker, an electrically powered and controlled rocker/recliner motion mechanism. Activated and controlled by a wireless remote control or a button integrated into the arm of the chair, the mechanism will rock until the recliner is open. Once the recliner is open, its three-position balance transitions smoothly and continuously between TV and full-recline positions. Double landing gear provides stability in all reclining and closed positions, and double locks on both sides of the mechanism simultaneously ensure secure closing. Different spring tensions are available to adjust the ottoman strength, along with an optional articulated or bolt-on sub-ottoman that safely fills the ottoman/seat gap when the unit is open. A convenient K-D bracket system with an anti-release safety clip makes back removal easy. The Power Rocker is also available with a swivel or ring base and comes in three different seat widths. Hickory Springs manufactures more than a dozen motion mechanisms for the furniture and bedding industries.
CONTACT: Dwayne Welch, 828/328-2201
EMAIL: dewelch@hickorysprings.com
WEB: www.hickorysprings.com
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Weyerhaeuser introduces Northwest Hardwoods Western Hemlock – an excellent quality lumber for making furniture, cabinetry and millwork. Weyerhaeuser manufacturers Western Hemlock to perform more like a hardwood than a softwood, employing the same drying, conditioning and custom grading processes. The wood’s physical properties and visual appeal are similar to soft maple and alder, and it is available in six custom grades.
CONTACT: 866/870-3040
WEB: www.ObeyMotherNature.com or www.wy.com/hardwoods
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Pollmeier introduces Superior Red Heart Beech, an organic, natural looking grade of beech for today’s new home furnishings designs. With contrasting color from light honey brown to slightly darker, reddish-brown, this wood is gaining popularity with designers, architects and specifiers. It has consistent moisture content for superior board stability, is durable, machineable and takes a variety of finishes well. PEFC Certified Pollmeier beech from Germany’s sustainable forests is a renewable resource that is readily available – now and for thousands of years to come.
CONTACT: Doug Martin, 503/452-5800
EMAIL: doug.martin@pollmeier.com
WEB: www.pollmeier.com
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Plataine, a leading provider of production optimization solutions for manufacturers of textile, wood, metal and composite fabric cutting industries, announces the release of the beta version of MarkerMaker.com. With MarkerMaker.com, users can run an unlimited number of markers for free, but purchase only those they choose after seeing the markers’ length and efficiency. Users thereby are given a risk-free opportunity to determine whether the service provides them with a measurable benefit.
CONTACT: Avital Dotan
EMAIL: marketing@plataine.com
WEB: www.plataine.com
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NEW SUPPLIER MEMBERS
AHFA welcomes the following new members to its Suppliers Division: |
OLD DOMINION FREIGHT LINE, INC.
Based in Thomasville, N.C., Old Dominion Freight Line is a national, less-than-truckload motor carrier providing one- to five-day service to 48 states. Old Dominion also offers assembly and distribution services, as well as LCL and FCL delivery service to and from all of North America, Central America, South American and the Far East.
CONTACT: Mark Penley, 336/822-5942
E-MAIL: mark.penley@odfl.com
WEB: www.odfl.com
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DESIGN RESEARCH LLC
Design Research is a custom market research company that provides services at the intersection of design, luxury and durable goods. The company identifies, develops and tests consumer preferences in categories such as china, crystal, gifts and other housewares and home furnishings.
CONTACT: Richard Babick, 609/869-1108
E-MAIL: rick@designres.com
WEB:www.designres.com
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FURNITUREDEALER.NET
FurnitureDealer.net assists furniture retailers with search engine optimization, pay-per-click advertising, online advertising, and email marketing. Its goal is not to replace furniture salespeople, furniture showrooms or traditional furniture advertising. Instead, the FurnitureDealer.net team works to strengthen all of these dealer marketing efforts. FurnitureDealer.net also hosts AHFA’s online Furniture Finder at www.findyourfurniture.com.
CONTACT: Amy Voelker, 651/287-0700
E-MAIL: amy@furnituredealer.net
WEB: www.furnituredealer.net
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| WHAT'S HOT..... |
Networking Opportunities at the Sustainability Summit
Don’t miss the December 1-2 Sustainability Summit at the Hilton Asheville Biltmore Park Hotel. The Summit will bring together a cross section of decisions markers and thought leaders for the industry’s premier sustainability program. The event will champion successful sustainability policies and practices within our industry and provide the launch pad for AHFA’s new product labeling program, Eco3Home. Complete program details will be posted soon here.
Innovative Program on Tap for AHFA CEOs
The economic turmoil of the past two years has left most AHFA member companies feeling like the deck has been shuffled and they’ve been dealt a whole new hand. The business outlook for 2011 remains uncertain, so figuring out how to play that hand is not easy. This year’s AHFA Annual Meeting and CEO Conference has been designed to help CEOs reflect on where they find themselves today and devise a viable strategy for the coming year. Scheduled November 11-14 at the Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain in Paradise Valley, Ariz., this exclusive program is open to presidents and CEOs only from AHFA member companies. Registration and complete program details are available here.
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Suppliers on Demand is a quarterly newsletter keeping AHFA members in touch with the products and services offered by its Supplier Division members.
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The next update of Suppliers on Demand will be in January 2011. Deadline for news and product releases is December 15, 2010. Email press releases and inquiries to pbowling@ahfa.us. For information about other member benefits, please contact the American Home Furnishings Alliance at 336/884-5000, ext. 1016.
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