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News to Know: Ashley Furniture, Milliken, Ergomotion and more

Catch up on the news you missed from this week.


Magniflex Bringing Igloo-Inspired Room To Vegas 

Magniflex will unveil its updated MagniCool collection in an igloo-inspired, temperature-controlled room at the upcoming Las Vegas Market. The line, which addresses the issue of “sleeping hot,” features three modernized models with a new design.

Now available at retailers all over the country, the MagniCool collection includes three revamped models: a 10-inch firm, 10-inch soft and 12-inch gel. The refreshed models include a layer of PCM, which works to provide a dynamic response to temperature. This combination of advanced technologies releases energy that creates a cooling sensation when your body hits the mattress. The 10-inch queen models retail at $2,199 and the 12-inch queen gel model retails at $2,399. 

Each model features an ornate cover design with an iris, the symbol of the Florence, which is incorporated in the company’s logo and other products. The new design is also complemented by a solid blue base representing the signature blue color in the logo.


Serta Simmons Closes Three Factories 

During the last three months, Serta Simmons Bedding has filed at least three WARN Act notices announcing plans to close factories in Virginia, Iowa and Kansas.

The most recent filing for the company’s factory in Lenexa, Kan., where Beautyrest products are manufactured, will impact 70 employees when the factory closes later this month. 

SSB also filed a notice with the state of Iowa April 20 announcing the closing of its Clear Lake, Iowa, facility that employed 86 people, and gave the state of Virginia notice on April 29 that it would close its factory in Fredericksburg, Va., which employed 128 people. Both factories were slated to close on June 30.

SSB previously announced plans to consolidate two factories in Beloit, Wis., and Janesville, Wis., into a new shared 500,000-square-foot facility to manufacture Serta and Beautyrest products.


Ashley Furniture Names New President After Executive Resigns 

Ashley Furniture Inds. announced that long-time executive Rick Coppola will be resigning from his position as president of sales for the U.S. and Canada and will be replaced by executive Kerry Lebensburger.

He will be promoted to North American chief sales officer for the company’s primary channel of business in the U.S. and Canada. 

Lebensburger joined the company in 1993, as vice president, case goods and two years later helped Ashley expand into the stationary and motion furniture categories. In this role he developed the $1 billion-plus bestselling Darcy upholstery collection.


Milliken Launches First-ever Outdoor Collection

Milliken & Company has launched Milliken Outdoor Fabrics, the organization’s entrance into the outdoor performance fabrics market. 

The new line, premiering at Casual Market Chicago in July, marks the first time the 155-year-old manufacturer has supplied the outdoor furniture fabric market. 

The first collection from the outdoor line, on display in Chicago, is New Vistas, a line of performance fabrics designed to move effortlessly from indoors to outdoors. Including 10 patterns across 72 skus, New Vistas is a collection of 100 percent solution-dyed acrylic fabrics that feature a non-PFAS finish to make it stain and water-resistant. 

These fabrics are in-stock and ready to ship from South Carolina. The new line includes a five-year limited warranty. A follow-up collection, Outer Realm, is anticipated to launch in late 2022.


Ukrainian Furniture Manufacturers Coming to Vegas

The Entrepreneurship and Export Promotion Office of Ukraine announced that the seven Ukrainian furniture manufacturers will show their products at the upcoming Las Vegas Market: 

• TIVOLI – International supplier of Beech, Oak and Ash chairs & tables since 1912 finished with eco-friendly materials. (www.tivoli.com.ua)

• MEBUS – Impressively styled solid wood bedrooms and upholstered furniture, uniquely crafted (www.mebus.com.ua)

• GARANT – Modern upholstery and casegoods for bedrooms, living rooms, home office and kitchen. (www.garant-nv.com)

• SOFRO – Beautiful line of bedroom, living room and kitchen furniture (www.sofro.com.ua)

• WOODSOFT – Innovative customized convertible sofas, mattresses and upholstered beds (www.woodsoft.com.ua)

• KINT – Contemporary styled chairs, tables, sofas, and shelving units (www.kint.shop)

• CHORNEY FURNITURE – Unique and colorful bespoke solid wood furniture for every room (www.instagram.com/chorneymebli)

Andrii Lytvyn, deputy director of the Entrepreneurship and Export Promotion Office of Ukraine explained that, “Following the Russian invasion, furniture manufacturers have continued to produce high-quality furniture to supply the export market. However,  domestic Ukrainian consumer demand has dropped due to other more urgent concerns having to do with the war effort.”

The Ukrainian furniture industry is substantial. Over 9,000 companies employing more than 100,000 people produce furniture. Nearly 119 countries import furniture made in Ukraine, and the Ukrainian furniture industry grew 11.2%, an increase of $750 million in 2021. 


Ergomotion Launches Line To Ease Supply Chain Disruption

Ergomotion announces the launch of Rio, a line of wood deck adjustable bases designed to complement a wide range of feature combinations, customer segmentations, customizable brand applications and price points for all budget levels. 

Produced in Ergomotion’s 250,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Rio offers customers near-shore product with short lead-times. 

The company says the product lessens the supply chain disruption, offers inventory space relief and cash flow efficiency while being more accessible and more cost-effective for everyone. The new product line is also courier-friendly (UPS-able), except for king size. 


Shifman Identifies Four Top Salespeople 

Shifman Mattresses recently honored four retail partners for top sales performance and identified key themes in their success.

Platinum honoree Paul Rich & Sons has been a Shifman partner for more than 30 years. The 38-year-old family-owned retailer posted 32% year-over-year growth in 2021, topping the prior year’s 30% growth that won the top award for 2020.

Another long-time Shifman partner, Sensenig’s Furniture earned the Gold Achievement Award with 64% growth over the prior year. The full-line furniture retailer features Shifman Mattresses in its best of fine American handcraftsmanship offerings in concert with its furniture assortment.

Two retailers tied for the Silver Achievement Award this year. Gasior’s Furniture & Interior Design, a 22-year Shifman partner, had a steady start in 2021 and then rocketed to a winning year with strong results from two key events, Memorial Day and Lowest Prices of the Year.

North Elm Home joined the family of Shifman partners in 2018. Building on momentum in 2020, the Millerton, N.Y. dealer’s sales took off in 2021 and is positioned for another successful year ahead.

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