Posts Tagged ‘denver furniture’

U.S. program could drive up board prices

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

 Aim is to divert wood fiber to uses like bio-fuels
Heath Combs — Furniture Today

WASHINGTON — A program that offers to subsidize wood fiber for renewable bio-fuels or other products could divert the U.S. fiber supply from composite wood products, according to Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Assn.

For domestic furniture manufacturers, the result could be dramatic price increases to board which would not affect imported board prices.

The provision, called the Biomass Crop Assistance Program, provides financial assistance to suppliers of biomass material to conversion facilities for use in producing heat, power, bio-based products or bio-fuels, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Web site.

BIFMA is asking its members to request that Congress suspend the subsidies and amend the list of materials eligible for the subsidy.

The organization is arguing that the use of wood fiber products is contrary to the subsidy program’s intent — to divert materials for renewable biomass that aren’t otherwise used for higher-value products.

The subsidy program has about $514 million in funds to distribute.

Design Within Reach raising funds for Haitian earthquake victims

Wednesday, January 20th, 2010

Will match donations to UNICEF
Furniture Today Staff — Furniture Today
SAN FRANCISCO — Home furnishings retailer Design Within Reach says it will match up to $25,000 in donations to UNICEF’s Haiti Earthquake Fund, for a collective total donation of $50,000.
To participate, customers should visit the DWR website, www.dwr.com, where they will be directed to a link to make a donation.

In coordination with other UN agencies, UNICEF will provide supplies to allow access to sanitation, safe water and basic health care in Haiti. The agency also is preparing materials and staff so that children, vulnerable during natural catastrophes, are protected.

“While our company’s name is Design Within Reach, today we are proud to provide help within reach to the people of Haiti,” said John Edelman, CEO. “I am equally proud of the support of our customers and employees in joining me in providing assistance. Our hearts and thoughts are with the people of Haiti.”

International Home Furnishings Center honors Mark Andrews

Wednesday, January 20th, 2010

Receives first Robert H. Spilman Spirit of Excellence Award

Furniture Today Staff — Furniture Today

 Mark Andrews, left, of the International Home Furnishings Center, receives the IHFC’s first Robert H. Spilman Spirit of Excellence Award from IHFC President Tom Mitchell. 

HIGH POINT — Mark Andrews, Design Center manager at the International Home Furnishings Center here, has won the IHFC’s first Robert H. Spilman Spirit of Excellence Award.

The new award is named for Spilman, the late CEO of Bassett Furniture Inds. who led a buyout of the IHFC in 1985 and became its chairman.

Andrews joined the IHFC in 2003. Tom Mitchell, IHFC president, said in presenting the award that it represents the qualities that Spilman would have wanted to recognize – “a loyal performer who is customer-service oriented, and an engaged team player who leads by example.”

 Andrews was presented with a silver bowl, a replica of the award that will remain on display in the IHFC executive office lobby. It will be engraved each year with the name of the annual recipient.