Cover Story Trend Watch...KESHAN INFOTECH PVT. LTD. President Anup Kumar Keshan Vice President &...

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Cover Story

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Trend Watch

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Southeast Asian Industry

Pierre Ospina

Designers’ Desk

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HOT PRODUCTS 25

SHOW REPORT 31

INDUSTRY NEWS 36

CALENDAR OF EVENTS 44

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DESIGNERS’ DESK

We forecast the trend in the furniture industry. Determining the global trends of the industry is difficult, if not impossible.

We have summed up a certain key trends that are creating a buzz on the conference tables.

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In conversation with young and passionate designer, Pierre Ospina. His designs make amazing concepts which has ‘behaviours’ to create objects for people to live and evolve with. Read on.

The southeast Asian furniture industry takes a blooming shape during the March-April session. We document the rise and fall of the south east asian furniture industry and the possible reasons and solutions for it.

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Pierre Ospina

Designers’ Desk

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© Furniture & Accessories USA Mar-Apr 2016

Published byKESHAN INFOTECH PVT. LTD.

PresidentAnup Kumar Keshan

Vice President & Editor-in-ChiefApratim Ghoshal

Associate EditorMs. Chitralekha Banerjee

Contributing Editor Mrs. Pallabi Chakraborty

Content Writer(s)Ms. Nairita Ghosh

Ms. Resham Chakraborty

Public Relations Ms. Chitralekha Banerjee

Creative TeamSantanu Sen

MufaddalKaushik Das (Web)

Rajat Si (Web)

Circulating Team

A. K. Sharma

Kajal Mondal

244 5th Avenue, Suite 2468

New York, N.Y. 10001USA

Ph : +1 917 677 [email protected]

Chitralekha Banerjee

Our cover story is a trendwatch on 2016 furniture industry. We have featured the southeast Asian furniture industry and the current market status of different countries in the region.

We had also a very nice time interacting with the much talented young and versatile designer, Pierre Ospina. We are enthralled by his wonderful collection and we know you will love to read his interview as much as we did while preparing it.

Keep in touch with me for updates on the industry, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. I look forward to catch you up there!

mailto:[email protected]

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COVER STORY

Furniture Industry:

Trend Watch

While forecasting the trend in the furniture industry, the first thing that comes to mind is a slow, heavy shift in taste and choice. Determining the trend for the global industry is difficult, if not impossible. As we have observed certain key issues going around the world, we have summed up a few of them that are creating a buzz on the conference tables. To make the industry more updated, more design-centric and more consumer-oriented are a few things


COVER STORY

that the entire industry agrees upon.

While the housing market continues to increase, we are seeing an uptick in discretionary spending. By 2019,

the global market for furniture and floor coverings is forecast to reach $695 billion.


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The top five furniture trends that can be generalised are:

The rise of telecommuting is driving the demand for home office furniture. • Multi-functional, versatile furniture is gaining popularity. • Online is the fastest-growing channel in developing markets. • The demand for luxury furniture is increasing. • More furniture vendors are choosing to go green.•

Consumers have set up more home offices as telecommuting and working from home has increased. As a whole, the market for global home office furniture is forecast to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5.58% between 2014-2019.

To remain competitive, companies must be able to respond quickly to individual customer wishes – mass production is becoming mass customisation.

Consumers as well as manufacturers are increasingly demanding products specifically tailored to individual requirements – quickly and at low cost. This is a major challenge for the wooden furniture industry. It must succeed in flexibly and rapidly meeting individual customer wishes despite high personnel and raw material costs. The secret to success is efficient manufacturing. This trend applies to interior fittings and wood materials as well as timber construction and small wood parts.


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Online marketing has become more active than anything else in recent times. Though the furniture consumers prefer to test their product before purchasing still it is becoming a common sight to get the furniture delivered bought from any online vendor. The internet-dependent consumers are attended well by the furniture retailers and they are trying to make the process more reliable and more attractive in near future.

As the market is recovering fast, the choice of the consumers are relying once again on the luxurious products. Designer furniture are getting more appreciated. On one hand the sleek multi-purpose furniture are gaining popularity at the same time, the classic antique blend is making a comeback.


COVER STORYSustainability has always been a major issue for the furniture industry.

Wood being one of the prime components, furniture industry has more responsibility towards the global sustainability. As the consumers are

becoming more aware and are standing for the sustainable and eco-friendly products, manufacturers are becoming more conscious. As a

result demand for eco-friendly products are at a momentum.

Furniture Industry 4.0When the rest of the world is running after the Industry 4.0 revolution how can furniture industry sit on a relaxation chair?

"Integrated manufacturing" on the way to Industry 4.0 will significantly shape the wood and furniture industry. Like in the automotive industry before it, digitization is increasingly enabling networking of the entire value chain. There are valuable advantages for the furniture manufacturers, be it small units or gigantic brands:

More process security• Greater flexibility• Greater energy and resource efficiency•

Networked manufacturing enables self-optimization, configuration and diagnosis of

systems. Smart, self-learning systems that act in unison – in short the Smart Factory

will make it possible for manufacturing companies in the furniture industry to meet individual needs.

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FEATURE


https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wood-and-panel/id847422627?ls=1&mt=8

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.woodandpanel.app&hl=en


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FEATURE

During the March-April session, the Southeast Asian furniture industry takes a blooming shape. But this year it has a mixed tempo altogether. Certain established markets have changed their pace and have fallen, giving rise to the others. Here we give you the documentation of the fall and rises of the industry and the possible reasons and solutions of it.

Southeast Asian Furniture Industry


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Indonesia

The Indonesian government expects the export value of its furniture to reach 5 billion U.S. dollars per year in the next five years. That compares with 2.2-billion-U.S. dollar shipment of the products to overseas market in 2014, Indonesian Industry Minister Saleh Husin reported.

"This trend leads to the optimism for the achievement of 5 billion U.S. dollars export within the next five years," Husin says.

In 2013, Indonesia furniture export stood at 1.8 billion U.S. dollars, rising from 1.4 billion U.S. dollars in the previous year, according to data from the industry ministry.

Investment in Indonesia's furniture and handicraft industries is expected to slow in 2016 due to subdued global demand and the lower competitiveness of these industries in Indonesia. Local furniture companies are moving away to Vietnam due to issues related to

logistics costs, minimum wages and workers' productivity. For example, Taiwan-based Woodworth Wooden Industries Indonesia, the first Taiwanese furniture company that entered Indonesia (with a USD $40 million investment), decided to exit Indonesia, leaving 200 workers unemployed.

Rudi Halim, Chairman of the Indonesian Furniture and Handicraft Association (AMKRI), said foreign furniture producers active in Indonesia have started to relocate their manufacturing plants to Vietnam as minimum wages and logistics costs are considered too high in Indonesia. Halim said Vietnam has a more conducive investment climate as minimum wages are lower, its workers are more productive, while logistics costs are lower due to better infrastructure.

Halim said Indonesia currently only exports USD $2 billion worth of

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FEATUREfurniture and handicraft, while total global demand for these products is estimated at USD $142 billion (per year). China is still the top exporter with USD $56 billion worth of furniture exports. But more alarmingly, Vietnamese furniture exports are estimated to grow to USD $7 billion in 2016 from around USD $6 billion last year. Therefore, according to Halim, the Indonesian government should really do whatever it takes to boost infrastructure development across the nation (including raising the performance of local harbours), in order to curtail the country's high logistics costs.

Regarding infrastructure development there are positive signs as government spending on infrastructure projects has increased since the second half of 2015 and was partly responsible for the well-received 5.04 percent (y/y) GDP growth rate in the fourth quarter of 2015.

The Indonesian Furniture and Handicraft Association (AMKRI) also requests the government to ignore pleas from European Union members to enforce the Timber Legality Verification System (in Indonesian: Sistem Verifikasi Legalitas Kayu, or, SVLK) certificate in the upstream sector as this will cost local businesses between IDR 30 and


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IDR 40 million every three years. This is a major burden for the smaller local players. The SVLK is a system designed to verify the legality of timber products. The AMKRI does support implementation of the SVLK in the downstream industry. Halim added that countries such as China and Vietnam - that both outperform Indonesia in terms of furniture exports - do not have such a system.

Indonesia Rattan Furniture and Craft Association (AMKRI) secretary-general Abdul Sobur further added, “We hope the government could provide supporting facilities such as a design center and intellectual property rights on industry-based regions,” he said during the closing of the Indonesia International Furniture Expo (IFEX) 2016. Last year Indonesian furniture exports amounted to US$ 1.9 billion, up only 1,3 percent from 2014. The value of global furniture market amounts to $141 billion.

Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla asked shareholders in the industry to develop innovation to comply with the taste of global buyers. The Indonesian government has barred outbound shipment of woods and rattan in a bid to boost added value of the raw materials.


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Singapore:

Singapore on the other hand being an advanced industry is more focused on delivering the best with the help of the most upgraded technologies and establishments. According to a recent report Singapore's furniture industry grew at a rate of 7.4 per cent between 2012 and 2015, with sales hitting an estimated S$6.25 billion in 2015.

According to the industry trend specialists the industry is more focused on bringing the sleeker models with 3D printing and upfront online marketing. "The younger generation players are very excited," said Mr Ernie Koh, president of the Singapore Furniture Industries Council. "They are looking into downstreaming, social media and 3D technology.


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A new eight-storey furniture hub will be built by the end of 2018, Minister for Trade and Industry (Trade) Lim Hng Kiang announced. The JTC Furniture Hub @ Sungei Kadut will occupy a two-hectare site and include features such as concept stores and the opportunity to testbed new e-fulfillment business models. It aims to foster a better ecosystem through the clustering of both furniture and furniture-related companies.

JTC Chief Executive Officer Png Cheong Boon said the Furniture Hub will "play an important role in the transformation of Singapore's furniture industry".

"The clustering of different players in the furniture industry at the Hub will allow companies to tap on each other's competencies, share resources and foster collaboration, thereby enhancing the industry's overall competitiveness," he added.

Malaysia:

Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, said Malaysia’s timber and timber product exports rose by 6.3 per cent to RM21.7 billion in 2015 from RM20.4 billion in 2014.

“The industry players need to continuously innovate to retain their competitiveness,” he said at the opening of the Export Furniture Exhibition 2016. The furniture industry players have been urged to collaborate to achieve the RM53 billion export earning target for timber and timber products by 2020 under the National Timber Industry Policy.


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Meanwhile, chairman of EFE Expo Sdn Bhd, Chua Chu Chai, has urged Malaysian furniture players to venture into solid wood furniture production to meet the huge demand from China, one of the biggest in the world.

He said traditionally, Chinese consumers treasured the solid wood furniture. “China’s consumption is expected to grow by five to six per cent this year,” he said.


DESIGNERS’ DESK

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DESIGNERS' DESK

Pierre Ospina -Exploring Relationships

Born to French and Colombian parents in 1985, the young and passionate designer, Pierre Ospina considers rethink, reinvention, exploring and observation as the key words for his success as a designer. Influenced by Phillippe Mayaux and Konrad Loder at ESAD (Reims, France DNAP 2008) and by Gabriel Klasmer at the Royal College of Art while pursuing his MA in 2010 (London, United Kingdom), his designs make amazing concepts which has ‘behaviors’ to create objects for people to live and evolve with.

From his early twenties, he was taught to ask questions on topics and to challenge, to think in different way. His godfather gave him the advice to love materials, and to express something through design. Bouncing between poles, art and design, craft and industry, creativity and technique, Pierre Ospina's work explores relationships- amongst humans and objects, materials and tools, and behaviors in environments.


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In a candid conversation with us, Pierre Ospina bares his heart on his designs, philosophy, interests and lot more. Read on.

FAU: How did you get into design? How Phillippe Mayaux and Konrad Loder motivated you to be a designer?

Pierre Ospina (PO): From all the diverse creative disciplines that I discovered in foundation school, design seemed one that encompassed many. Wanting to evolve somewhere I could work on a great diversity of things, it felt like home. I met Phillippe Mayaux and Konrad Loder in my early twenties. Both are practising artists. Phillippe kind of freed my way of thinking, teaching me to challenge and question everything, to never take anything for granted. Konrad gave me the love of materials, and techniques to transform them, by teaching me how to understand them and work with them in order to express something.


DESIGNERS’ DESK

FAU: Do you think there is a difference between Art and Design?

FAU: How do you relate your creations or objects with humans/humans behavior?

FAU: You have so many spectacular creations in your design life till now. Which is your most favorite?

PO: There are many, as many as similarities. We could start a series of books of questions about it! Let's look at it with the Art world on one side and Industry on the other: Design appeared in between and is pulling them closer together.

PO: One of my favourite quotes is from Marshall Mc Luhan: “We shape our tools and our tools shape us.” It is all about the experience of the object, or thing created. That is what my work explores: the relationship.

PO: The Porcelain x Steel experiments are very special to me. That project opened something I will be re-exploring. It was like that discovery you make by mistake, and loved it because I felt overwhelmed by the many possibilities to develop further. It is a principle you can play with forever.


DESIGNERS’ DESKFAU: Share with us something about your outstanding creation – ‘Blossom Bulb Forest Series’

FAU: Was there any specific motivation behind the masterpieces like ‘Hungry Caterpillars’ and ‘Cricket Stool Series’?

PO: The making of these lamps is actually very erotic! I have to slide rolled up rings of rubber onto cylinders. For that I made a custom 'lever-pair of pliers' that I use in a back and forth movement to wrap the tubes.

PO: Two very different approaches on the same function: offering somewhere to sit. For the Cricket Stools, the goal was to make a simple stool with a lot of cultural emotion. For the Hungry Caterpillars, the objective was to create a playful interaction with the object by giving it a bit of life and attitude.


DESIGNERS’ DESK

FAU: Do you still have a passion towards ‘Street Art’?

FAU: Being a successful designer at this young age, how would you define your journey of success?

FAU: And lastly, what are the recent projects you are working on?

PO: Definitely! On making it, I always loved it for the act and the moment shared with the team, and the people passing that witness the work in progress. As for the result, I love being surprised by a new piece around the corner. It is like cities, always changing.

PO: Another of my favourite quotes, “Success is the ability to go from a failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm” by Churchill. I think that sums it up pretty well!

PO: Recently I moved back to Paris to work as a Dream Consultant for the first TechShop in Europe. It’s a great adventure of new collaborative ways to create. There will be many different project this year, from a drone design, to furniture, to a communication one-off piece that mixes cycling and picnic! "I am also developing the US Dollar version of the 'Collectionnées'!


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HOT PRODUCTS

Jane Sofa and Chair by Bobby Berk

The Jane is a classic, button-tufted club sofa with a distinct Mid-Century feel. It features button-tufted cushions and choice of stainless steel or walnut finish perimeter base for all fabrics. Constructed with 100% FSC®-Certified Wood in support of responsible forest management.

Jane has high class sophistication with cozy attitude. It comes with the features like: Top stitched, button-tufted seat and back cushions• Base option 1: Brushed stainless steel perimeter base with mitered corners• Base option 2: Solid wood, walnut finish perimeter base • Seat and back cushions are flippable• Dacron - wrapped cushions for a structured look• Non-marking leveler feet can be adjusted for stability on uneven floor surfaces• Kiln-dried FSC - certified hardwood frame• Manufactured to meet California TB117-2013 fire safety standards without the use of flame • retardant in the upholstery foam


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Elegant Cement Tile by Malena B

Handcrafted in Mexico, Malene B’s cement tiles celebrate the people, places and patterns in the global community. Her distinct designs offer bold, textural solutions to transform one’s space, adding beauty and sparking conversation. These tiles are ideal for indoor, outdoor, residential and commercial spaces.

The specialty of the tile is: Each tile is MADE TO ORDER and sold in FULL boxes. OnlyMalena B’s Bequia-Blue is made with the ultimate sophistication. It offers:

Size: 8"x 8", Pre sealed• Available in 3/8th Thickness (Wall) or, 5/8th • Thickness (Floor)Variation in color or texture is inherent to • this handmade product.Custom colors are available•


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Urban Option from Braxton Culler

Nowadays, consumers prefer modern furniture which has to have urban touch. Braxton culler introduces their collection – Urban Style which has urban style as well as additional possibilities. Urban Options, a new collection of upholstery pieces that allows buyers to choose their arms, backs and bases on three sizes of sofas and eight chairs.

This is old meets new, transitional meets Mid-Century Modern meets today’s lifestyle, Sofas are 76 to 93 inches and come with the choice of five arms, three backs and two base styles. There are six groups within the Urban Options collection, and our choice of fabrics offers hundreds of different SKUs.

The Urban Options collection includes materials that are not common in most modern upholstery lines. Chairs feature split bamboo, rattan and embossed vinyl. Contrast welt options are also available, as well as trim detail. The Urban Options collection offers a new aesthetic for consumers who are furnishing a second home or a coastal residence, or who are ready for a look other than the traditional style they might have furnished their homes with previously. Braxton Culler has developed a one-page order form for the collection, one of several recent initiatives to simplify the buying process for dealers.


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Pillows bring cooling and comfort technology

“The search for the ideal pillow is over,” said Ron Ainsworth, senior vice president of merchandising and procurement for Fashion Bed Group. Fashion Bed Group unveils new pillow featuring cooling and comfort technologies at the High Point Market this year.

Energex Foam PillowThe new Energex Foam Pillow creates a comfort solution for consumers who enjoy the feel of latex but want the support of traditional memory foam. Energex is designed to energize and slightly soften with body heat, providing highly adaptive comfort, ease of movement and pressure relief.

Graphite Gel Memory Foam PillowThe Graphite Gel Memory Foam Pillow offers a triple-threat of temperature-regulating technology by combining open cell high air flow memory foam with therma-gel and super-conductive graphite. The result is a 46% enhancement of regular open cell memory foam and up to seven times better conductivity than conventional memory foam, according to the company.

“These new products incorporate the foam features that sleepers love, but with breathable, responsive, and cool-to-the-touch surfaces for superior heat distribution and a better night’s sleep.” Ainsworth added.


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Geo Chair and Platinum Stool from Shlomi Haziza

Shlomi Haziza unveils his new unique creations, Platinum Stool and Geo Chair. These are the owner of extremely outstanding look and have the ability to create a mood. These products have the capability to hold sophistication and can increase the beauty of a well-decorated home as well.

Platinum StoolThe Platinum Stool is a regal choice for any décor. It is available in wide range of upholstery fabrics.

Geo ChairThe Geo Chair has sleek curves and an oval-shaped back. It is available in a wide range of upholstery fabrics.


HOT PRODUCTS

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SHOW REPORT

Las Vegas Market – Leading buying platform for

furniture, home décor and giftsThe Winter Las Vegas Market took place this year from January 24 to 28, and set record levels of new and expanded resources and double-digit gains in buyer attendance. The show registered its busiest-ever opening day in its 10-year history. With solid attendance and brisk order writing continuing throughout the five-day Market, buyers and suppliers alike reported success posting significant gains in sales volume and new customer acquisition.

Overall attendance hit an all-time high, fueled largely by recent explosive growth in gift and home décor resources, which resulted in gains of 22% in gift buyer attendance and 5% in home décor buyer attendance. At the same time, the furniture category – with nearly 100% occupancy in furniture showrooms, 95% of the nation’s bedding industry represented, and continued expansion among newly launched casual floors – maintained its strong buyer base. Buyers attended from all 50 states and 77 countries. Top five feeder


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states included California, Nevada, Arizona, Texas and Washington.

With the highest level of leasing activity in five years, the Winter Market offered buyers access to 330+ new resources – with 146 new showrooms debuting on 40 floors in three buildings, and nearly 180 new exhibitors premiering in the newly expanded Pavilions at Las Vegas Market. While concentrated primarily in Building C with new and expanding gift, home décor and casual showrooms, this most recent resource expansion represents growth in all of the Market’s core categories: furniture, home décor and gift.

Overall, vendors at Winter Market were thrilled


SHOW REPORTwith the retail traffic, experiencing strong order writing throughout the week and garnering exposure to new customers. Chris Watson of home décor resource Watson & Company pointed out, “Each Market we see a step-up in order writing. This Market we’ve experienced a double digit increase from Market a year ago.”

First time exhibitors were particularly pleased with their results. “This is our first time showing in Las Vegas and for us this has been a really good Market,” remarked Harri Pakka, group CEO for furniture supplier Luonto. “We’ve opened accounts from all over the U.S.; mostly the Western states. We are


SHOW REPORTvery happy and this Market has been better than we expected,” Pakka concluded.

Buyers were enthusiastic about the quality and variety of merchandise presented at Winter Market. New product introductions abounded at Las Vegas Market in all categories, offering buyers access to innovative, new products as well as best-selling resources from established industry suppliers.

John M Hunt, president/CEO of America’s Backyards & Outdoor Living, which introduced its new AB Modern line in Las Vegas, stated, “We have been extremely busy and we’ve seen all the right buyers, everybody we needed to see. I have never had a launch as strong as we have had this Market. We are very pleased and it has been a great Market.”

Scott Eckman, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Furniture Leasing, International Market Centers (IMC), also commented, “Winter Market was extremely strong with robust traffic. Despite weather-related travel delays, people were committed to getting here and we set another Las Vegas buyer attendance record. The industry has a real sense of optimism right now. We saw major exclusive-to-our-market product introductions and countless showroom expansions. Order writing also was fast and furious – a strong indicator that 2016 is starting off on very solid footing.”


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INDUSTRY NEWS

Polly LaBarre is the Keynote Speaker for the opening event at Spring Market

The High Point Market Authority has partnered with Design Tech Summit to bring

Fast Company ‘Maverick’, best-selling business author and consultant Polly LaBarre to High Point Market as the keynote speaker for a kick-off opening day event for Spring Market, April 16-20, 2016.

The event has been named as “Re-inventing Retail & Design - Mavericks Driving the Future” where LaBarre will focus her presentation on business culture, “maverick” leaders and how technology and innovation will define future success for the industry.

The opening day event will also welcome co-founders Niraj Shah and Steve Conine to the stage to showcase virtual reality technology for the first time at High Point Market. The event will be moderated by Stacy Kunstel, and is being sponsored by Wayfair, one of the world’s largest online destinations for home furnishings and décor.

Leveraging virtual reality technology to

create unique shopping experiences for the home, Wayfair expects to accelerate the shift to buying home furnishings online by transforming the way consumers are able to visualize products into their designs. Wayfair plans to showcase the virtual reality technology to attendees at the ‘Trade Services by Wayfair’ space during High Point Market.

In addition to LaBarre’s keynote presentation, Design Tech Summit is producing an educational event during Spring Market in an ongoing series called designTechconnect which includes interactive seminars, events and education with the goal of creating a more flexible, robust and responsive industry. “Hack the Future: The New Design Landscape” will be the first-ever High Point Hack bringing together leading design practitioners, emerging leaders and entrepreneurs with top tech talent to collaborate on innovative solutions to major challenges in the design industry.

Jaipur Rugs is now Jaipur Living

Jaipur Rugs Inc. has been renamed as Jaipur Living Inc.


INDUSTRY NEWS

This announcement came as the company celebrates more than a decade of steady growth and expansion in key categories that include award winning rugs, as well as textile products that currently consist of pillows, poufs and throws.

Keeping in line with the new name, the company is also launching a new logo and brand identity, showcasing the iconic Jaipur brand through a new lens that is clean, bold and graceful. The new website JaipurLiving.com will bring a visual refresh and more efficient user experience for customers. Additionally, all company social media handles will transition from @jaipurlifestyle to @jaipurliving, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and LinkedIn.

President of Jaipur Living, Asha Chaudhary said, “We have been amazed and humbled by the company’s rapid expansion in recent years, both in size and the distribution channels we serve, as well as in the organic growth of our product lines. There is so much momentum for the company, and at this stage in our evolution, the change underscores our vision for Jaipur as a true lifestyle brand, one that will continue to revolutionize the home industry with a transformative business model centered

on our passion for people, product and design.”

As part of Jaipur’s continued growth, the company has also announced the purchase of 23 acres of land in north Atlanta. Plans for a new 350,000-square-foot facility are currently underway and expected to take place in two phases beginning in January 2017. The new facility will position Jaipur to better serve its broad customer base worldwide while sustaining and supporting the company’s steady expansion.

Jaipur Living’s sister company, Jaipur Rugs Company Pvt. Ltd. will continue to operate as usual, supplying the beautiful, hand-crafted rugs that have made Jaipur a global name. Over the past decade, the two companies have commonly shared the “Jaipur Rugs” name, while continuing to grow and evolve to accommodate the diverse and ever-changing needs of an international audience.

Chaudhary added, “While our name change will help to differentiate our brands and create a platform for our continued growth as a lifestyle brand, the relationship between our two companies and how we work together will remain unchanged”.


INDUSTRY NEWS

ICFF 2016 will continue to partner with Luxe Interiors + Design Pavilion

The International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) had introduced an

expanded exhibition space last year to feature new categories and design offerings with the introduction of the Luxe Interiors + Design pavilion. The 28th edition of ICFF, scheduled from May 14 to 17, 2016, is going to continue its partnership with Luxe Interiors + Design with an expanded high design pavilion.

Kevin O’Keefe, ICFF’s Event Director said, “The success of the introduction of the Luxe Interiors + Design pavilion prompted us to not only continue the feature, but double it for 2016. By increasing the square footage, we are bringing in more than 100 exhibitors showcasing a mix of transitional and classic contemporary design brands.”

The pavilion’s additional 10,000 net sq. feet will feature furniture, lighting, wallcovering, carpets, kitchen and bath and accessories brands from around the world, such as Artistic Frame, Baldwin Hardware, Christopher Guy, Dacor, MGS USA, Material ConneXion,

Piet Boone, Safavieh, Samad and a unique presentation of French luxury design featuring Veronese Paris, Ooumm Design, Lissoy, Lyon Beton, Jandelle Paris & Horus, Jallu and many others.The pavilion will also feature innovative programming and speakers.

In addition to hosting its curated pavilion of brands, Luxe Interiors + Design will again sponsor the must-attend industry event of the year: the ICFF opening night party at MoMA. Located in the spectacular Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), this dazzling party is not to be missed. To be held at May 14, the tickets of the party are available for purchase by registered attendees of ICFF 2016.

Malouf expands distribution in North Carolina

Malouf, an upscale bedding accessories provider, announced the

purchase a 206,000 square foot building from Broyhill to complement its existing logistical footprint in Lenoir, North Carolina. The building comes as a result of the company’s rapid growth and helps to support its same-day


INDUSTRY NEWS

shipping strategy.

Located on the same road as one of its current warehouse facilities, the building adds another layer of support and creates room for projected sales growth tied to Malouf’s thriving wholesale business in the Eastern U.S.

Malouf’s CEO, Sam Malouf said, “Last year we doubled our distribution, and with record sales every month since, it was time to expand again. Our product line has grown, the number of stores in our retail network has increased and demand is going up with no sign of slowing. The added space is a crucial part of our continued growth and we’re very happy to be a bigger part of the community in Lenoir.”

The addition of this new building brings Malouf’s total space just under 1.5 million square feet. The company’s North Carolina operations that serve all of East and Midwest customers make up 468,000 square feet. All Western-based customers are served from two buildings in Northern Utah—one of which is its headquarters—totaling 895,000 square feet.

Malouf’s warehousing and product distribution strategy revolves around its same-day shipping promise; an unprecedented benefit for its

wholesale partners. Sam said, “Our customers love that we ship the same day. They recognize that we respect their needs and make every effort to get product to their door in a timely manner. Orders leave almost as soon as they come, so having two strategically-located distribution centers makes transit times as good as they get.”

Surya completes 40 years

Completing four decades in the home furnishings industry, Surya

is proud to announce the celebration of its 40th anniversary. The anniversary festivities will kick off with a special High Point Market celebration, set to take place in Surya’s flagship showroom (Showplace 4100) on Sunday, April 17 beginning at 6 p.m. The company will be holding a series of events, contests and promotions throughout the year to celebrate this important milestone.

Surya was founded in 1976 by Surya Tiwari as a small maker of hand-knotted rugs with a mission to preserve traditional artisan craft and


INDUSTRY NEWS

create a better life for families in rural India. In 2006, Satya Tiwari took over as president. Today, the company is a recognized leader in the home furnishings industry.

Surya has incrementally added new product categories each year since 2010 – expanding from rugs to pillows, throws, wall decor, accent furniture, lighting, decorative accents and bedding – providing retailers and designers with access to 50,000+ coordinating accessories for every lifestyle and price point. This forward thinking approach has been instrumental in Surya’s growth. In the past several years, the company has extended its reach to additional channels, including the contract and outdoor segments.

Satya Tiwari shared, “We want to express our deepest gratitude to all of our valued customers who have put their trust in Surya during the past 40 years and continue to inspire us to greater heights. Our customers are the reason we strive to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the home decor market, and we never take them for granted. We know we must earn their business each and every day through hard work,

determination and a passionate commitment to help them succeed – that’s what drives us. We can’t wait to see what the next 40 years will bring.”

With more than 15,000 customers, Surya continues to achieve significant double-digit revenue growth, reaching $100 million in sales in 2015, and earning a spot on Inc. Magazine’s list of America’s fastest growing privately held companies for the fifth consecutive year. In May, the company will move into a new, one-million-square-foot headquarters and distribution center in Cartersville, Ga. – providing a new home for its 400+ employees and bringing 200 new jobs to north Georgia.

HO.MI. New York Lifestyle Exhibit returns to ICFF

The eminent Italian Lifestyles Fair, HO.MI, returns to ICFF 2016 with the Ho.MI New York Lifestyles pavilion. Making its second appearance at ICFF,

the high design pavilion will play host to an


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expanded footprint of 12,000 net sq. feet.

The HO.MI. New York pavilion explores Italian style in furniture, lighting, wall coverings, carpets, flooring, kitchen and bath, accessories and more from more than 50 Italian brands including Alessi, Michelangelo Design, Domus Design Collection and Ego Italiano.

ICFF Event Director, Kevin O’Keefe says, “We are delighted to host the second edition of HO.MI New York at ICFF. Our audience of more than 33,000 architects, interior designers, developers and luxury retailers anticipate an even more exciting presentation of the best in Italian designs.”

The expanded footprint will include the Italian Luxury Interiors project. Organized in partnership with Artex – the Center for Artistic Craftsmanship and Tradition of Tuscany, ICE, Confartigianato Imprese and CAN – the space recreates the spirit and style of Italian interiors.

Cristian Preiata, Exhibition Director of HO.MI. says, “In Milan, like in New York, we present an event that relates Italian style, where Italian hospitality and international style come together to inspire international exhibitors and

buyers. This partnership with ICFF, one of the most prestigious international showcases, confirms that HO.MI. has now become an international ambassador for Italian taste and savoir-faire in situations where the excellence of the “Made in Italy” industry has a starring role.”

In 2015, ICFF entered into a long-term agreement with Fiera Milano, host of the world’s largest and most prestigious events for the interior design and lifestyle marketplaces, to bring the lifestyle trade exhibition to New York.

The 28th edition of ICFF will be held on May 14-17, 2016 at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City.

Surya to unveil new collection by Shell Rummel at High Point

Surya has collaborated with designer and watercolor artist Shell Rummel for a new line of rugs to be unveiled at

the High Point Market in April. The collection


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named ‘Natural Affinity’ is hand tufted of wool with a medium pile.

The designs feature subtle organic shapes and quietly elegant looks inspired by elements found in nature. The collection pairs a softly muted palette in a mix of cool and warm hues with rich texture and dimensionality. The rugs evoke a sense of fluidity and rhythmic movement, well suited for contemporary spaces.

For more than 20 years, Shell Rummel has enjoyed a successful career in the fine art and design fields. Since the launch of a licensing division in 2012, the Shell Rummel brand has grown to encompass a variety of categories, including area rugs, bedding and bath textiles and accessories, interior paint palettes, stationery and gift items, craft papers, fabrics and an extensive portfolio of fine art.

Surya’s vice president of product development, Lynne Meredith said, “With their intrinsic softness and painterly hand, Shell Rummel’s designs speak to that place within us that desires a connection with nature and a respite from the busyness of the everyday world. Shell brings a fresh, signature look to the Surya line,

and we look forward to sharing her designs with market attendees.”

Rummel added, “Surya is one of those rare visionary companies that encourages the collaborative process and empowers its designers to imagine and bring to life collections that are not only stunningly beautiful, but also impeccably crafted. I’m honored to work with the Surya team and look forward to a lasting creative partnership where I can showcase my gentle aesthetic through a variety of products and designs.”


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http://www.woodandpanel.us



CALENDAR OF EVENTS2016

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Expo Lighting America Mexico, Mexico City

www.expolightingamerica.com

Strategies in Light USA 2016 US, Santa Clara, CA

www.strategiesinlight.com

Feb 24-26, 2016

Mar 1-3, 2016

The LED Show US, Santa Clara, CA

www.theledshow.com

Mar 1-3, 2016



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&U S A

Ispa Expo Orlando Florida, USA

www.sleepproducts.org/ISPAEXPO/

H.P Market Spring US, High Point

www.highpointmarket.org/

LFI Lightfair International US, San Diego

www.lightfair.com

Mar 9-12, 2016

Apr 16-20, 2016

Apr 24-28, 2016



&U S A

&U S A

http://www.furniture-magazine.us

Cover Story Trend Watch...KESHAN INFOTECH PVT. LTD. President Anup Kumar Keshan Vice President &...

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