Archive for November 2011
Designs by World Renowned Designer, Julia Wong to Debut From The Rug Market America At World Market Center, Las Vegas
International fashion and home furnishings designer, Julia Wong has partnered with The Rug Market America in a collection of rugs incorporating her globally inspired and graphically interpretive style. The Julia Wong Designs Collection will debut in The Rug Market’s showroom in Las Vegas at the World Market Center January 30 – February 3.
Culver City, CA – November 30, 2011 -- The Rug Market America, contemporary interior and exterior rug designer and manufacturer, will debut its Julia Wong Designs Collection at the upcoming Las Vegas Market, January 30th through February 3rd. The collection from Julia Wong will include rug designs capturing the designer’s clean yet aesthetic style. "We are excited to debut this collection of Julia’s original designs,” said Mike Shabtai, founder and owner of The Rug Market America. “Julia is recognized within the international design community for her effortless creative sense and impeccable taste. As a premier source for contemporary designs, The Rug Market is perfectly position for this design partnering.”
A singular style and international flair are but a part of what distinguishes the product lines and interior/exterior aesthetic of the graduate of the London School of Fashion and former design assistant to John Galliano. Extensive travels and an understanding of different cultures are reflected in all products of the designer’s signature product line which was launched in 2001.
For The Rug Market’s Julia Wong Designs Collection, each design is crafted to not only showcase artistic elements, but also incorporate rich colorations and textures. “We always give an edge to our design, including elements of surprise from unexpected color palettes that work well together to different scales of patterns,” said Wong. The collection includes design motifs from contemporary to traditional; elegant linear to outdoor natural.Designs by Wong have previously been marketed by The Rug Market America when she was tapped to design its introductory Walt Disney Signature rug collection based on themes from the entertainment giant’s animation art, movie and parks.
The Rug Market America will be exhibiting at the World Market Center in Las Vegas, NV – Suite B-306. For more information about The Rug Market America and its lines of interior and exterior rugs, contact: info@therugmarket.com or visit www.therugmarket.com.
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ABOUT The Rug Market America
The Rug Market is an innovative designer and manufacturer of quality interior and exterior rugs. In 1986, The Rug Market entered the home accessories market with its first line of decorative handmade rugs. Owned by Mike Shabtai, the company's success has been a result of providing designer, fashion-forward looks at affordable mid-range pricing. The Rug Market is represented nationwide.
ABOUT Julia Wong Designs
Bridging the worlds of high fashion and residential/commercial design is at the center of Julia Wong Designs the signature home furnishing line launched in 2001 from international designer, Julia Wong. www.juliawongdesigns.com
POLY-WOOD, Inc. Announces Promotion of Chad Yordy to Vice President, Sales and Marketing
Poly-Wood, Inc., leading developer and manufacturer of high-performance, eco-friendly casual outdoor furniture, is proud to announce the recent promotion of Chad Yordy to vice president, sales and marketing. Mr. Yordy initially joined Poly-Wood in 2006 as director of sales for the contract division of the Syracuse, Indiana based manufacturer.
“Over the past five years, Chad has been instrumental in expanding the sales and marketing efforts of Poly-Wood,” said Doug Rassi, president, Poly-Wood, Inc. “With the tremendous growth potential of the outdoor industry, we are looking forward to Chad driving our initiatives to not only build upon our leadership position, but also to facilitate avenues for growth opportunity .”
In his new position, Yordy, who will continue to be responsible for the expansion of sales and distribution channels, also will coordinate the company’s growth strategies. As vice president of sales and marketing, Yordy will focus on future markets, product segments, business opportunities and acquisitions as well as the new product development efforts for all divisions of Poly-Wood, Inc.
Poly-Wood, Inc., in addition to its casual furniture manufacturing operation, is also an industry leader in the manufacturing and marketing of plastic lumber to multiple industries from landscaping to farming. Poly-Wood, Inc. also recently acquired the Image Group, a leading design and advertising firm serving northeastern Indiana.
“Our growth in the coming years will focus on the convergence of technology and marketing initiatives,” said Yordy. “I am looking forward to leading our efforts to implement unified sales and technology strategies and to the growth that can result.”
Chad, his wife, Jennifer and their two daughters, Justine and Kyla reside in Goshen, Ind.
For more information about Poly-Wood, Inc and its plastic lumber outdoor furnishing lines, visit www.polywoodinc.com.
POLY-WOOD, Inc. Acquires the Image Group and Expands Services and Focus
Poly-Wood, Inc., developer and manufacturer of high-performance, eco-friendly casual outdoor furniture, has recently acquired Syracuse, Indiana-based creative house, the Image Group. Under the new ownership, the Image Group will expand its capabilities and creative focus to better serve current and future creative clientele.The Image Group, which has provided graphic creation and production services since 1969, will expand its services to include client focused graphic design and advertising including web development and media placement while refocusing production capabilities. “Our goal is to build upon the wealth of creative expertise within the Image Group and further expand its focus to a full service agency providing quality work to not only the region, but the state as well,” said Chad Yordy, recently named vice president of sales and marketing for the Image Group.
Through refocusing efforts, the Image Group will continue to offer professional design and content creation from corporate identity materials to multi-media advertising. Expanded services will include print and electronic graphic design, web development and media planning and placement.
“With the greater emphasis on expanding the Image Group as a full service advertising agency, we have named a well-respected printing firm, Lithotone, Inc. of Elkhart Indiana as our print production partner,” said Doug Hertel, the Image Group’s recently named director of marketing. “We look to this partnering to further benefit our client base as Lithotone offers expanded press capabilities and print-focused expertise.” The acquisition and realignment is expected to position the Image Group as the one of the area’s largest design and advertising firms. The capabilities, partnerships, expertise and media and print buying potential will be at a level not previously available in the region.
Additionally, with the acquisition by Poly-Wood, Inc, one of the areas’ foremost manufacturing entities, the Image Group will have the solid backing for expansion and growth. Immediate upgrades to hardware and software are planned to boost the capabilities of the Image Group.
“We look for a seamless transition for the clientele of the Image Group,” said Hertel. “As the creative services grow, we also look to expand our staff of creative as well as account supervisory personnel.” The six member creative staff of the Image Group will continue to be located at 927 West Brooklyn Street in Syracuse.
For more information about the Image Group and its creative, advertising and marketing services, visit www.imagegroupinc.com
Trends and Truths of the State of the Casual Furnishings Industry Published Within the 2011 Universe Study Sponsored by Pride Family Brands
Identifying the size, growth, and distribution of the casual outdoor industry, the 2011 Universe Survey, sponsored by Pride Family Brands, indicated a positive retail outlook for numerous segments of the market. Hollywood, Fla. (November 9, 2011) – Indicating welcome positive growth, the results of the 2011 Universe Survey for the outdoor marketplace have recently been released. Published by Casual Living magazine through an ongoing sponsorship by Pride Family Brands, the Universe Survey reflected that the outdoor marketplace is estimated to reach 6.7 billion in sales for 2011. This figure is up 1% overall from 2010.
"Retail sales for all outdoor furniture products totaled an estimated $3.75 billion last year, a 1.4% increase from 2009,” said Dana French, Director of Research for Sandow Media. “Casual Living magazine is predicting outdoor furniture sales to grow slowly through the end of 2011, another 0.7% to $3.78 billion. Outdoor furniture comprises about 5% of the $80 billion-plus residential U.S. furniture and mattress market."
This exclusive category-specific research for the outdoor living segment has been made available through an association with designer and manufacturer of luxury cast aluminum casual furniture, Pride Family Brands since 2008. "Pride Family Brands is committed to establishing itself as a true partner with our retail base not only during the sale; but also in providing valuable insight into the industry as a whole,” said Steve Lowsky, president, Pride Family Brands.
The Universe Survey research is based on numerous data sources including import figures from the U.S. Department of Commerce and Bureau of Economic Analysis as well as consumer surveys and conversations and unpublished reports from casual retailers, vendors and industry analysts. The complete research results were published in the November issue of Casual Living magazine.
For more information about Pride Family Brands and their distinguished lines of casual furniture visit www.pridefamilybrands.com or contact 954-735-9800.
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POLY-WOOD, Inc. Names Hertel and Tusing To Corporate Management Team
Leading manufacturer of high-performance, eco-friendly casual outdoor furniture with plastic lumber adds to its corporate management team with the addition of Doug Hertel as marketing manager and Rebecca Tusing as director of administration.
marketing manager and Becky Tusing as its director of administration. The expansion of the management team is a result of significant growth being experienced by the Syracuse, Indiana based manufacturer. Doug Hertel was named as Poly-Wood’s marketing manager, effective August 2011. In this position, Doug is responsible for all marketing functions for the manufacturer including creation and coordination of advertising, publicity, product photography, marketing materials, trade shows, new product research and budgeting activities for the marketing department.
“With Doug’s years of experience, he is a valuable addition to our marketing team,” said Chad Yordy, director, sales and marketing, Poly-Wood, Inc. “As marketing manager, Doug will focus on further promoting the Poly-Wood brand and our premium position within the casual industry.”
Doug brings to his position over 18 years of marketing and advertising experience. Prior to joining Poly-Wood, Hertel was the owner of an Indiana-based advertising and design agency. Doug reports to and assists Poly-Wood’s director, sales and marketing. “I am charged with placing continued importance on innovation and out of the box thinking,” said Hertel. “This emphasis is applied not only to our product line; but also to the manner in which they are presented, displayed and marketed.”
As the recently named, director of administration, Rebecca Tusing also is a new member of Poly-Wood’s corporate management team. Reporting to the president of Poly-Wood, Inc, Doug Rassi, Tusing joined the manufacturer in June of this year. In the director of administration position, Tusing oversees all activities and personnel within the company’s accounting, human resources, reception, customer service and warranty, information technology, and inventory management departments.
“My goal in this new position is to create an infrastructure in which we align people and processes to create a firm base on which to grow the company,” said Tusing. “Poly-Wood is an exciting company with a lot of growth potential of which I am happy to be a part.” A graduate of Indiana University, Tusing is a licensed CPA with over 30 years of experience in manufacturing and public accounting.
“The additions of Becky and Doug will increase our ability to better serve our customers and capitalize on the growth that is being experienced,” said Poly-Wood’s president, Doug Rassi. “We
evaluated a lot of applicants for these important positions and are happy to have individuals of the caliber of Becky and Doug to help in driving Poly-Wood, to the next level.”
Doug Hertel resides in Granger, Ind. with his wife and their 3.5 children. Residents of Syracuse, Ind., Tusing and her husband have two grown children.
For more information about Poly-Wood, Inc and its plastic lumber outdoor furnishing lines, visit www.polywoodinc.com.
