Archive for October 2011
Pride Family Brands Debuts Latest Additions to Resident Lifestyle Expert Video Series
Pride Family Brands announces the debut of the latest installments in its Resident Life Expert Video Series captured directly from the recent International Casual Furniture and Accessories Market. Filmed on location from Pride Family Brands' showroom on the 17th floor of Chicago's Merchandise Mart, numerous retailers and industry professionals shared their individual insight and impressions on the casual furnishings industry.
"The goal of our video series is to draw attention to not only Pride Family Brands' product lines and processes; but also to the casual furnishing industry and the importance of the relationship we enjoy with our retail partners," said Jamie Lowsky, C.E.O., Pride Family Brands.
Hosted by Pride Family Brands' Resident Life Style Expert, Jamie Sorcher, a total of eight videos were created and now are available for viewing on the Pride Family Brands website - www.pridefamilybrands.com, social sites including Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pride.brands as well as additional internet venues.
Industry individuals profiled in conversations with Sorcher for the latest videos included David Swers, Glen Raven, Glen Raven, NC; Paul Otochits, Carl's Patio, Boca Raton, FL; Mike Ratigan, Sundown Ski and Patio, Lake Grove, NY; Lee Recchia, American Casual Living, Atlanta, GA; Lynn Opdyke, Opdyke's, Bayhead, NJ; Carter Fowler, The Patio Shop/The Furniture Shoppe, Chattanooga, TN and Connie Lineberry, vice president, Sandow Media.
Also included in the series is a video featuring Sorcher introducing two of Pride Family Brands' latest collections, Cannes and Lucerne, which were show favorites with market goers.
A conversation with Pride's recently named president, Steve Lowsky, focused on the company's designation as the Manufacturing Leadership Award recipient for Cast Aluminum Products. "With the use of these videos, we are able to focus on our company's attention to detail that extends to being responsive to our retailers," said Steve Lowsky. "Those efforts were acknowledged with the recent award as well as throughout the video series."
For more information about Pride Family Brands and their distinguished lines of casual furniture visit www.pridefamilybrands.com or contact 954-735-9800.
Palm Springs Rattan and Garden Classics Announces Unprecedented Roster of Introductions And An Expanded Showroom To Be Unveiled During High Point Market
Quality wicker and rattan manufacturer, Palm Springs Rattan and Garden Classics will open the fall 2011 High Point Market with an unprecedented number of new introductions and an expanded show floor. Palm Springs Rattan's booth space at #1539 Showplace will encompass an additional 700 square feet and will include an expanded cast aluminum collection now with action seating, an extensive offering of embroidered outdoor pillows with a retail-friendly merchandising tower, new designs in three all-weather wicker collections, a full complement of indoor/outdoor accessories in Palm Springs' Island Way accessory line and even more ground-breaking news for their umbrella line.
"This is going to be an exciting market due to not only the expanded space; but also the immense number of new introductions we will debut for our retail partners and prospective retailers," said Tami Newton, Sales Manager of Palm Springs Rattan and Garden Classics. "Each market, we strive to engage and respond to each segment of our retail base with new products and promotions; at this market we are confident our introductions will provide something new for everyone."
"This is going to be an exciting market due to not only the expanded space; but also the immense number of new introductions we will debut for our retail partners and prospective retailers," said Tami Newton, Sales Manager of Palm Springs Rattan and Garden Classics. "Each market, we strive to engage and respond to each segment of our retail base with new products and promotions; at this market we are confident our introductions will provide something new for everyone." Palm Springs' cast aluminum collection, Savannah will expand with the addition of action seating. The new introductions will focus on the growing popularity of motion furnishings.
In the all-weather wicker segment, new designs have been added to the Kokomo, Bay Breeze and Cape Hatteras lines. Kokomo will now include dining, counter and bar bistro sets with a double leg under-weave on all back legs allowing pieces to withstand heavy weight and stress. Palm Springs also has responded to the need for storage and stack-ability with the three heights of Kokomo bistro style dining. For the Bay Breeze collection, an open, lighter look weave will be introduced while the latest additions to the Cape Hatteras Collection will now boast a more robust wicker motif.
In response to retailer requests, additional embroidered pillow designs will be introduced as well as an eye-catching pillow tower display unit. A merchandising and product package will debut for customers interested in capturing the add-on sales potential of the expanding pillow line.
One of the lines to see the greatest explosion in SKUs is Palm Springs' Island Way accessory line. In High Point, the collection of indoor/outdoor decor items will debut not only additions to the popular topple-proof heavy resin lamps; but also tableware and a full complement of decorative accessories.
For Palm Spring's umbrella line, an all new UV protection rating will be introduced at the market. The line's umbrellas will now boast a seal signifying a 50+UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor). Through a certification process by the Australian government, the rating equates to 98% or a near total blockage of damaging UV rays. The company's umbrellas also are the recipient of an excellent rating for UVA and UVB blocking.
For more information about Palm Springs Rattan and Garden Classics, visit www.palmspringsrattan.com or contact Tami Newton at sales@palmspringsrattan.com.
Posted: 17 Oct 2011 12:21 PM PDT
Coronado Collection for Sunset West By Marcia Blake
I’ve recently designed two furniture collections in collaboration with Sunset West USA in San Diego, California. These two furniture collections are inspired by the coastal towns of California, these locations are characterized by their seductive tranquility and exclusive old time charm. Using the individual beach towns as my personal muse, I’ve created collections that exemplify what it means to have a personal retreat from it all.
Carmel Collection for Sunset West by Marcia Blake
These innovative collections bring about the essence and character of each town, while simultaneously providing elegance and a sense of style uniquely its own. In style, form, comfort and functionality, both collections are visually striking while well crafted. To experience each collection is to understand what is meant by understated elegance and refined tranquility.
Come see these two new collections along with me. I will be in High Point at the end of this week and into next week showing these collections, so stop by Showplace, Space #1638 to see the Coronado and Carmel Collections for Sunset West.
Looking forward to seeing you all there….
Pride Family Brands Promotes Steve Lowsky To President of The Luxury Aluminum Casual Furnishings Manufacturer
Pride Family Brands' CEO, Jamie Lowsky announces the promotion of Steve Lowsky to the post of President for the Ft. Lauderdale, FL-based premier luxury aluminum casual furnishings manufacturer. Pride Family Brands announced today the promotion of Steve Lowsky to President of the award-winning designer and manufacturer of luxury cast aluminum outdoor furnishings. The announcement comes as the company begins its thirty-fifth year as a leader in the casual furnishings industry.
"Steve has been an integral part of our business since it was founded in 1977," said Jamie Lowsky, CEO, of Pride Family Brands. "For the past 20 years, Steve has been a valuable member of Pride's management team. With his leadership, we have been able to position ourselves in the forefront of the casual industry."
As President, Steve Lowsky will continue to oversee all financial, marketing and production fulfillment activities for the Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. based company. Lowsky previously held the position of Executive Vice President. "The promotion is a natural progression for Steve and the company," said Jamie Lowsky. "His promotion to President is an integral part of our move to the next level of management and leadership succession within our management team."
Lowsky is a graduate of Florida State University with a B.S. in finance. He resides in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. with his wife, Elizabeth, and their three children.
For more information about Pride Family Brands and their distinguished lines of casual furniture visit www.pridefamilybrands.com or contact 954-735-9800.
Pride Family Brands Expands Production Shifts and Work Force To Meet Demand for Luxury Fire Pits Introduced at Casual Market
As Pride Family Brands begins shipment of its exclusive line of Castelle luxury fire pits, the company has been required to expand its work force and add production shifts to meet demand. The introduction of the fire pits, which was at the urging of its retail network, has exceeded Pride Family Brands' expectations and resulted from the products' quality, design and value.(Hollywood, FL) - October 5, 2011 – Pride Family Brands announced today that has begun shipments of its recently introduced luxury cast aluminum fire pits due to the enthusiastic reception of the items. Debuting at the International Casual Furniture and Accessories Market, the fire pits were exceedingly well received and have required the luxury casual furniture manufacturer to increase its work force and production shifts to meet shipment demand.
"Our new fire pit designs have received a tremendous response and the demand has been unbelievable," said Steve Lowsky, President of Pride Family Brands. "We had to add an extra shift exclusively for fire pit production." The addition of the fire pit designs to Pride's line up of luxury outdoor furnishings was driven by requests from the company's network of specialty retailers.
"Retailers have continued to show us that the quality, the design, and most importantly, the price point of the Castelle Fire Pits are right on target," said Lowsky. "We are pleased to get this type of retailer feedback as it is a very important component in our product development process."
Each fire pit, designed to coordinate with the Castelle line of cast aluminum furniture, is available in two styles including a 50" round model and a 36" x 54" rectangular model. Both styles include a base featuring Pride's signature hand woven aluminum detailing. In combination with six of Pride Family Brands' most popular cast top designs and the signature hand applied decorative finishing; extensive possibilities are available for the fire pits to coordinate with outdoor living spaces.
Ft. Lauderdale, Fla based Pride Family Brands designs and manufactures luxury cast aluminum outdoor furnishings. The company holds over 50 design patents and is the recipient of multiple design excellence awards and the 2011 Manufacturer Leadership Award for luxury Cast Aluminum furniture. For more information about Pride Family Brands and their distinguished lines of casual furniture visit www.pridefamilybrands.com or contact 954-735-9800.
Ft. Lauderdale, Fla based Pride Family Brands designs and manufactures luxury cast aluminum outdoor furnishings. The company holds over 50 design patents and is the recipient of multiple design excellence awards and the 2011 Manufacturer Leadership Award for luxury Cast Aluminum furniture. For more information about Pride Family Brands and their distinguished lines of casual furniture visit www.pridefamilybrands.com or contact 954-735-9800.
