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Renaud Anjoran
 
Factory workers: it's all their fault!

Chinese factory workers are often seen as the obstacle to higher quality, fewer working hours, and better safety measures. Let’s study each of these issues separately:
1. Chinese factory workers, not capable of good workmanship?
As I wrote before, managers like to point to individual operators as the cause of quality problems. And I admit it is quite tempting in certain cases.
For...
Helpful(0) Not Useful(0) Comment(0) Posted03/04/2010
 
Mpdclick.com
 
Paris Living Trends - Spring 2010

Twice a year in September and January, for more than 10 years, the MAISON&OBJET trade show has been bringing together players from the home-fashion sector to offer them a major focal point to express themselves and to network. The show's determined focus on creativity brings together homeware and furniture brands in one place, positioning it as a key exhibition in Europe. This year was no exception with both established...
Helpful(0) Not Useful(0) Comment(0) Posted03/04/2010
 
Mpdclick.com
 
Spring Dining Trends 2010 - MAISON & OBJET

Twice a year in September and January, for more than 10 years, the MAISON&OBJET trade show has been bringing together players from the home-fashion sector to offer them a major focal point to express themselves and to network. The show's determined focus on creativity brings together homeware and furniture brands in one place, positioning it as a key exhibition in Europe. This year was no exception with both established and...
Helpful(0) Not Useful(0) Comment(0) Posted03/04/2010
 
Seth Berman
 
Are you Compliant? What Furniture Importers NEED to know about the Lacey Act

New penalties on illegally sourced woods could cause innocent buyers up to $200,000 in fines, forfeiture of goods, and possible imprisonment.
Are you compliant?  Lacey Act restrictions go into effect ...
Helpful(0) Not Useful(0) Comment(0) Posted01/13/2010
 
Seth Berman
 
The Best Furniture Sourcing Fairs (Spring 2010)

For a list of ALL upcoming events through May, visit our Furniture Fair Calendar
February
Las Vegas Market (Feb 1-5)
The second largest furniture fair in the United States, it boasts over 5 million square feet of buildings, and all the top American home furnishing...
Helpful(0) Not Useful(0) Comment(0) Posted01/11/2010
 
Renaud Anjoran
 
Negotiate about prices, not about quality standards

I had a funny conversation with one of my clients’ suppliers. My inspector had found too many defects and had to reject one of their shipments. I was also in the factory, monitoring the whole thing. I started questioning the supplier about their quality checks during production. This is what they told me:

You know, for the price [the importer] gives us, we really select the best factories we can work with in this area. We can’t afford to work with better factories.

Well...
Helpful(0) Not Useful(0) Comment(0) Posted01/11/2010
 
Seth Berman
 
Las Vegas Eases Pressure off High Point Market

In an unexpected announcement, the Las Vegas Market is moving their fall show back to early August, giving High Point some breathing room. 
Last summer, it seemed The Las Vegas market was making their power move to become the most-attended furniture fair in the United States. ...
Helpful(0) Not Useful(0) Comment(0) Posted01/11/2010
 
Seth Berman
 
Incredible India

Some of the greatest-looking products come from India.  Long known for their design and manufacturing skills, this year’s Indian Handicrafts and Gifts Fair did not disappoint.
Those...
Helpful(0) Not Useful(0) Comment(0) Posted11/04/2009
 
Seth Berman
 
Eco Friendly - Refurbished Furniture

What could be more environmentally friendly than bamboo, less wasteful than cardboard, and more recyclable than aluminum?  Your old furniture!  Forget about throwing away furniture, the guys at Purpose Furniture Restoration have shown how...
Helpful(0) Not Useful(0) Comment(0) Posted11/03/2009
 
Renaud Anjoran
 
Buying from a Large Factory?

Small importers tend to have the feeling that buying from a large factory is more expensive but more reassuring. There is some truth regarding the higher prices, but risks are not necessarily lower. Buyers should be aware of the different dynamics at play here.
What do I call a large private factory in China?
I have three things in mind:

At least 2,000 workers (and sometimes many, many more).
The target market: most of the...
Helpful(0) Not Useful(0) Comment(0) Posted11/03/2009
 
Seth Berman
 
Our Favorite Design Blogs

In Part Two of our FREE resources for designers, we have listed some great blogs.  These blogs are updated almost every day by passionate writers, often feature more interesting concepts, and make it easier to view the latest trends that you may have missed.  If you follow all these blogs, you should not miss another!
Emmas.blogg.se
Emmas Design Blog is one of the...
Helpful(1) Not Useful(0) Comment(1) Posted11/03/2009
 
Mpdclick
 
Living Trends at Maison et Objet (Paris 09)

Twice a year, in September and January, for more than 10 years, the MAISON&OBJET trade show has been bringing together players from the home-fashion sector to offer them a major focal point to express themselves and to network. The show's determined focus on creativity brings together homeware and furniture brands in one place, positioning it as a key exhibition in Europe. This year was no exception with both established and emerging brands showcasing the very best of lifestyle design for...
Helpful(1) Not Useful(0) Comment(1) Posted09/30/2009
 
Mpdclick
 
Fall Dining Trends - Paris 2009

Twice a year, in September and January, for more than 10 years, the MAISON&OBJET trade show has been bringing together players from the home-fashion sector to offer them a major focal point to express themselves and to network. The show's determined focus on creativity brings together homeware and furniture brands in one place, positioning it as a key exhibition in Europe. This year was no exception with both established and emerging brands showcasing the very best of lifestyle design for...
Helpful(1) Not Useful(0) Comment(0) Posted09/30/2009
 
Seth Berman
 
Great FREE Resources for Furniture and Home Decor Designers

Who doesn’t love FREE design information.  Recently in one of the groups we belong to in LinkedIn, the CEO of Mudpie Design (a trend forecasting company) posted a great discussion.  “Great resources for designers – FREE!”   This inspired us...
Helpful(0) Not Useful(0) Comment(0) Posted09/28/2009
 
Seth Berman
 
Material Costs Bouncing Back

I recently received a very interesting report on raw material costs from a lighting factory.  I’ve been aware of the major drop in material costs over the last year, but I did not anticipate that they would be climbing...
Helpful(0) Not Useful(0) Comment(0) Posted09/01/2009
 
Seth Berman
 
Walmart Developing Worldwide Sustainable Product Index

Who would think that Walmart would take the first step towards developing a worldwide sustainable product rating?  For a long time Walmart was considered by many environmentalists as the leading polluter and local job loss creator.
Last week, Walmart released a ...
Helpful(0) Not Useful(0) Comment(0) Posted08/19/2009
 
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