April 2010 Issue

• Google AdWords webinar

  The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) is offering a webinar on how to target consumers and reap profits from Google AdWords.

• Consumers willing to make less-practical purchases

  Shoppers are starting to ease their focus on purchasing practically, according to a monthly survey of more than 8,000 consumers.

• One Good Chair design contest

  The third-annual One Good Chair design contest is now accepting submissions.

• Growing interest in targeting impulse buyers

  Price-conscious consumers may still be leery of purchasing large items, but items aimed at motivating impulse purchases are selling. Dealers are showing strong interest in smaller, inexpensive items, such as accent chairs and ottomans.

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  Imported leather gains popularity on West Coast

  While well-priced domestic leather is still faring well, the popularity of imported leather is growing on the West Coast.

• Furniture factory orders up

  New orders for residential furniture in November 2009 were up 10 percent from the previous November.

• Auto upholstery goes green

  Motivated by price and social awareness, auto-industry suppliers are turning to recycled materials in their search for new sources of raw materials.

• Improved January sales

  According to Home Textiles Today, January sales reports show that more than half of key retailers had positive store sales results, signaling a possible change in the economy.

• 3M and Castar Companies form agreement

  The 3M Protective Materials business signed a brand licensing and product supply agreement with Castar Companies LLC.

• Price increases

  In January, Omnova Solutions Textile Chemicals business announced a price increase up to five cents per wet pound for acrylic, styrene acrylic and vinyl acetate emulsion polymers.

• India carmaker embraces printed seating fabrics

  Raymond Ltd., a leader in textile and apparel in India, announced the use of printed seating fabric in Tata Motor's Magic Iris.

• Investors buy Weave Corp.

  Fabric maker Weave Corp. has been purchased for $1.9 million by a group of investors led by John Sullivan, president of American Silk Mills.

• Design & Craftsmanship deadline extended

  The entry deadline for the Upholstery Journal 2010 Design & Craftsmanship Awards has been extended to May 14.

• Free monthly webinars

  Rowley Company is offering free monthly webinars geared toward customer education.

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  Rustic and Asian influences inspire designers

  Designers are embracing new takes on classic styling for this year.

• Using social media to boost business

  Businesses willing to embrace social media may experience difficulty keeping up with the demand for constant updates.

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  Broad color range

  The Portfolio One collection by Crypton from Absecon Mills offers a variety of designs and colors.

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  Water-repellent faux leather

  The Ultraleather Outdoor collection available from Bainbridge combines a soft hand with water-repellent technology for outdoor living applications.

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  New, glamorous polyurethane patterns

  Fabric manufacturer Carnegie introduced three new polyurethane collections based on actresses from Hollywood's Golden Age.

• Designs for healthcare applications

  The Philosophy collection from Carnegie Fabrics includes four new designs.

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  Six new urethanes

  Douglass Industries presents six new urethanes developed for the hospitality, healthcare, corprorate, education, restaurant and cruise ship industries.

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  Fire-resistant velvet

  Phantom from Douglass Industries is a new velvet pattern constructed with fire-resistant polyester, making it suitable for many applications.

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  Patterned headliner kits

  Optionz headliner kits from Headsup Industries are available in trendy patterns and textures.

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  Vat-dyed, hand-screened fabrics

  Fabrics from Langner Dzign are vat-dyed and hand-screened in New England on 100-percent cotton or a linen and cotton blend.

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  Leather-like vinyl

  Symphony from Nilco Industries is an expanded vinyl with a leather-like feel.

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  Rugged-grain vinyl

  Tusker from Nilco Industries is an expanded vinyl with a flannel backing and luxurious feel.

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  Flashy faux leather

  The Almost Glitz and Glamour collection from Paul Brayton Designs includes faux leather patterns ranging from subtle to flashy.

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  Jewel-tone fabric

  Kasbah from Paul Brayton Designs combines strength and beauty.

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  Heavy-duty, colorful fabric

  Sahara from Paul Brayton Designs is reminiscent of shifting sands in the world's largest desert.

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  Tropical-inspired fabric collection

  Beach Brights from Phifertex come in an array of tropical-inspired colors, stripes and patterns.

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  Calming color palette

  The Cape Cod collection from Phifertex includes sophisticated patterns in a calming color palette.

• Fabric for outdoor upholstery

  Recacril Decorline from Recasens is a solution-dyed acrylic suitable for outdoor furnishings and cushions.

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  No-shrink, no-stretch outdoor fabric

  Rex Pegg Fabrics now offers Recacril outdoor acrylic fabric. Recacril doesn't shrink or stretch and is water- and fade-resistant.

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  Waterproof, breathable solution-dyed acrylic

  Nautex Yachtmaster Premium from Sattler North America Corp. is solution-dyed acrylic that is both waterproof and breathable.

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  Jazz-inspired fabric patterns

  Improv is the latest line in the Alàxi collection from Silver State Inc.

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  High-performance fabric

  Primo 150 from Spectro Coating Corp. has the look and feel of suede and uses a nanotechnology finish that is stain-resistant.

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  Scratch-resistant polyurethane

  Promessa Outdoor is new in the Ultra Lifestyle Collection available from Tri Vantage.

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  Bleach-cleanable, colorfast healthcare fabric

  Bella Dura Healthcare from Wearbest Sil Tex Mills is 100-percent bleach-cleanable and colorfast.

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  Egg chair with vintage textile cover

  A second-hand dress gets first-class treatment as a dazzling cover.

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  Refurbishing Napoleon's chair

  Learn museum-quality techniques that one upholsterer used to refurbish Napoleon’s chair.

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  Saving for retirement

  Arguably, saving and investing for a comfortable retirement has never been more difficult and complex than it is these days.

• Networking to market your business

  You can reap benefits by networking.

• Online marketing resources

  Resources to help your online marketing ideas.

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  Marketing your upholstery business

  Traditional marketing tactics meet modern methods to influence customers.

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  Options and personalization spell profits

  Upholsterers have the opportunity to build business and step to the forefront of their industry by appealing to Generations X and Y.

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