Responsible Sourcing Manual Now Available
– The American Home Furnishings Alliance today released a Responsible Sourcing Manual designed to help home furnishings companies establish comprehensive corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs.
Scozzafava to Lead AHFA in 2012
– Ralph Scozzafava, chairman and CEO of Furniture Brands International, headquartered in St. Louis, Mo., was elected 2012 chairman of the American Home Furnishings Alliance (AHFA) Board of Directors during the group's 2011 Annual Meeting in La Jolla, Calif., November 10-12.
Ashley's Ron Wanek Honored With Service Award
– Ronald Wanek, founder and chairman of Ashley Furniture Inds., received the 2011 Distinguished Service Award from the American Home Furnishings Alliance (AHFA) during the group's Annual Meeting in La Jolla, Calif., on Nov. 11.
AHFA Announces Keynote Speaker for 2012 Sustainability Summit
– Michael Lynch, managing director of NASCAR Green Innovation, will headline the home furnishings industry's 2012 Sustainability Summit on February 22-23 in Raleigh, N.C.
Eco3Home Hangtag Recognized by New York House Magazine
– As part of its third annual Innovative Green Design awards, New York House magazine recognized the Eco3Home program, developed by the American Home Furnishings Alliance (AHFA), with an “Award for Transparency.”
Eco3Home Added to Ecolabel Index
– The American Home Furnishings Alliance (AHFA) announces that its Eco3Home label has been added to Ecolabel Index, the largest global directory of environmental labels.
ICFA Announces 2011 Award Winners
– The International Casual Furnishings Association (ICFA) honored top retailers, manufacturers, representatives and designers this week during two gala award celebrations.
ICFA Unveils Sales Training Certificate Program at Market
– The International Casual Furnishings Association (ICFA) unveiled its Sales Training Certificate Program this week at the International Casual Furnishings & Accessories Market.
ICFA Elects 2012 Officers
– The International Casual Furnishings Association elected its 2012 officers and directors today at its Annual Membership Meeting.
Entries Sought for 2011 "Sage" Award for Environmental Excellence
– Now in its fourth year, the Sage Award program was designed to recognize environmental leadership at home furnishings and bedding companies.
ICFA Announces Apollo Award Finalists
– The International Casual Furnishings Association announces finalists for the 2011 Apollo Awards. The program recognizes retail excellence in the sales and marketing of outdoor furnishings.
AHFA Targets Smaller Importers With New Container Shipping Discount Program
– The American Home Furnishings Alliance has launched a new ocean shipping program backed by Globe Express Services and designed to offer support to smaller importers and exporters.
Franklin Corporation Implements EFEC
– Franklin Corporation has implemented the home furnishings industry's comprehensive environmental management system known as EFEC in a 1.1 million square foot manufacturing facility in Houston, Miss., that includes the company's corporate headquarters.
Zenda Leather Named 2010 Sage Award Winner
– The American Home Furnishings Alliance (AHFA) announces Zenda Leather is the recipient of the 2010 Sage Award for environmental excellence. The award was presented December 1 during the All-Industry Sustainability Summit in Asheville, N.C.
Bob Duncan Takes Helm at AHFA for 2011
– Bob Duncan, CEO of American Leather, Dallas, was elected 2011 chairman of the American Home Furnishings Alliance during the organization’s Annual Meeting at the Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain in Scottsdale, Ariz., November 11-14.
John Bassett Vaughan Receives Distinguished Service Award
– John Bassett Vaughan, former chairman, CEO and president of Vaughan Furniture Company, received the American Home Furnishings Alliance’s prestigious Distinguished Service Award during the group’s 2010 Annual Meeting at the Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain in Scottsdale, Ariz., Nov. 12.
New Eco3Home Label Helps Consumers Understand Furniture's Safety, Health and Environmental Features
– The American Home Furnishings Alliance (AHFA) announces a new furniture labeling program designed to help manufacturers communicate a product's safety, health and environmental features to consumers.
All Bassett Facilities Are Now EFEC-Registered
– Bassett Furniture has implemented the furniture industry-specific environmental management program known as EFEC within its Martinsville, Va., table plant, as well as its Bassett, Va., warehouse and corporate headquarters building.
ICFA Celebrates Award Winners
– The International Casual Furnishings Association celebrated its brightest stars in retailing, manufacturing, sales and design this week during two gala award celebrations.
ICFA Names New Officers
– The International Casual Furnishings Association elected its 2010 officers and directors at its Annual Membership Meeting.
AHFA Introduces Carbon Calculator
– There is a heightened awareness of sustainability isues today, and many home furnishings companies are taking steps to assess their overall impact on the environment.
Congress Passes Federal Formaldehyde Legislation
– The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products Act.
Hickory Chair Achieves Sustainable by Design Certification
– Hickory Chair Furniture Company reached another milestone on its environmental stewardship journey when it achieved Sustainable by Design certification.
AHFA Gives Voice to Industry Concerns in Washington
– Top staff from the American Home Furnishings Alliance spent two days in Washington, D.C., last week, working to keep regulators and legislators aware of key issues impacting the home furnishings industry.
AHFA Presents 2009 Environmental Awards
– AHFA announced its 2009 Environmental Award winners during its December Sustainability Summit in Greensboro, N.C.
Specialized Furniture Carriers Name 2010 Officers
– The Specialized Furniture Carriers Association, now a division of the American Home Furnishings Alliance, announces its 2010 officers and Board of Directors.
Copeland Furniture Named 2009 Sage Award Winner
– AHFA announces Copeland Furniture of Bradford, Vt., is the recipient of the 2009 Sage Award for environmental excellence.
AHFA Commissions Research for Sustainability Summit
– AHFA will bring industry executives up-to-the minute consumer sentiments about eco-friendly furniture.
John Bray to Lead AHFA in 2010 
– John Bray, CEO of Vanguard Furniture, Hickory, N.C., was elected 2010 chairman of the American Home Furnishings Alliance during the organization’s Annual Meeting in Palm Beach, Fla., November 5-7.
Hassell H. Franklin Receives Distinguished Service Award
– Hassell H. Franklin, the leader of Mississippi’s largest privately-owned furniture company, received the American Home Furnishings Alliance’s prestigious Distinguished Service Award during the group’s 2009 Annual Meeting in Palm Beach, Fla.
ICFA Names 2010 Executive Committee & Board
– The International Casual Furnishings Association has named officers and directors fo 2010.
Sage Award Finalists Announced!
– The American Home Furnishings Alliance and Cargill BiOH® polyols today announced the three finalists in the second annual Sage Award competition.
Century Furniture Achieves Environmental Recognition
– Century Furniture has achieved EFEC registration at all three of its domestic manufacturing plants.
2009 Sustainability Summit Promises Innovative Solutions & Essential Insights for a New Decade
– To help home furnishings companies survive and thrive in this new marketplace, the American Home Furnishings Alliance (AHFA) will hold its second annual Sustainability Summit Dec. 2-3 at the Proximity Hotel in Greensboro, N.C.
Hooker Pilots 11 U.S. Facilities Through AHFA's EFEC Program
– Approximately 800 employees of Hooker Furniture, including those at subsidiaries Bradington-Young and Sam Moore, have worked together to implement a corporate-wide environmental program across 11 different facilities. The effort took them 18 months.
Flexsteel & DMI Elevate Environmental Efforts by Implementing EFEC
– An industry-specific environmental management program created by the American Home Furnishings Alliance has become an integral company resource for Flexsteel Industries Inc. and subsidiary DMI Furniture, both of which completed the program in August.
ICFA Celebrates 50 Years of Industry Service
– The 50th Annual Apollo Awards and the International Casual Furnishings Association celebrate 50 years of service to the casual furniture industry.
ICFA Establishes Retail Council
– The International Casual Furnishings Association has established a Retail Council to provide a forum for member retailers.
Specialized Furniture Carriers Association Becomes AHFA Division
– The Specialized Furniture Carriers Association has become a division of the American Home Furnishings Alliance.
EFEC Implementation Yields Energy and Waste Disposal Savings for La-Z-Boy Residential
– La-Z-Boy Residential represents the largest AHFA member to implement an industry-specific environmental program called EFEC.
AHFA Proposes Second Revision to Tip-Over Standard
– ASTM International is reviewing and could modify the language in its recently revised furniture tip-over standard.
AHFA Offfering Consumers Free Furniture Tip Restraints
– The American Home Furnishings Alliance is using its award-winning consumer website, www.findyourfurniture.com, to help educate consumers about the dangers of furniture tipping over.
AHFA Announces Scholarship Recipients
– The Suppliers Division of the American Home Furnishings Alliance has awards $2,000 scholarships to six students.
Casual Industry Honors Frinier, Thompson With Lifetime Achievement Awards
– Richard Frinier, distinguished product designer within the home industries since 1977, and Art Thompson, retired president of Laneventure, will be honored with Lifetime Achievement Awards.
ICFA Announces Finalists for 50th Annual Apollo Awards
– The International Casual Furnishings Association announces finalists for the 50th Annual Apollo Awards.
Sam Moore Marks Environmental Milestone
– The American Home Furnishings Alliance announces Sam Moore Furniture, a division of Hooker Furniture, has completed the furniture industry-specific environmental management program known as EFEC.
AHFA Will Use Consumer Website to Help Educate Parents About Furniture Tip-Over Hazards
– ASTM International has released a revised furniture tip-over standard requiring manufacturers to include a "tip restraint" with each chest, door chest and dresser taller than 30 inches.
AHFA Furniture Foundation Awards Scholarship Funds
– The American Home Furnishings Alliance Furniture Foundation has awarded $56,000 in grants for 2009-2010 scholarships to benefit the furniture industry.
Kincaid Achieves Sustainable by Design Designation
– Kincaid Furniture is the first casegoods manufacturer to achieve Sustainable by Design registration from the American Home Furnishings Alliance.
AHFA Members Urge Lawmakers to Respond to Furniture Industry Concerns
– Top executives from six American Home Furnishings Alliance member companies joined forces in Washington, D.C.
AHFA Advises EPA on Proposed Federal Formaldehyde Rule
– The American Home Furnishings Alliance favors a uniform national standard on formaldehyde emissions that recognizes existing international standards.
AHFA, ISPA & NHFA Join Forces for Economic Stimulus
– Leading industry associations, including the American Home Furnishings Alliance, International Sleep Products Association and the National Home Furnishings Association, have joined a coalition that is proposing consumer and commercial tax incentives.
Hickory Chair Named First Sage Award Winner
– Hickory Chair Company of Hickory, N.C., was named the first recipient of the Sage Award by the American Home Furnishings Alliance and Cargill's BiOH® polyols.
AHFA Launches Enhanced Internet Search Tool
For Furniture Shoppers
– The American Home Furnishings Alliance announces a significant enhancement to the furniture search tool on its award-winning consumer website.
Sage Award Finalists Announced!
– The American Home Furnishings Alliance and Cargill BiOH® polyols today announced the three finalists in the inaugural Sage Award competition.
AHFA Member Companies Lead Industry in Making Measurable Environmental Improvements
– Seven additional members of the American Home Furnishings Alliance, including all but one company in the La-Z-Boy Case Goods Division, have implemented a rigorous environmental management system resulting in measurable environmental improvements at their domestic manufacturing facilities.
Federal Agencies Struggling to Implement Timber Law Changes
– The federal agencies in charge of implementing changes in customs declarations for imported wood products are running behind schedule, and furniture importers may not be held to the new requirements until spring 2009, reports the American Home Furnishings Alliance.
C.R. Laine Achieves First Sustainable by Design Certification
– Custom upholstery manufacturer C.R. Laine of Hickory, N.C., is the first company to achieve Sustainable by Design certification from the American Home Furnishings Alliance (AHFA).
Sage Award Judges Announced
– The American Home Furnishings Alliance announces the panel of judges for the 2008 Sage Award, which will recognize environmental excellence in the home furnishings and bedding industries.
Congress Moving Quickly on New Lead Regulation
– Legislation establishing new limits on lead in consumer products is moving swiftly through Congress and could be on the President's desk as early as Labor Day.
Lower the Risk of Bunk Bed Injuries
– Thanks to new design requirements, bunk beds sold in the United States today are safer than ever – but parents still need to exercise caution to prevent bunk bed-related injuries among children and adolescents, according to the American Home Furnishings Alliance.
AHFA Announces Environmental Award Program
– The American Home Furnishings Alliance has created the Sage Award to recognize excellence in the home furnishings industry through sustainable business practices.
AHFA Restates Shipment Data
– The Department of Commerce has released a new business census series on domestic furniture production, and the numbers are decidedly different from the last series released with 2002 shipment data.
Bernhardt Facilities Pass EFEC Audit
– The American Home Furnishings Alliance announces that Bernhardt Furniture Company has successfully completed "EFEC" registration for all five of its U.S. facilities.
Proposed Code Change Will Require Sprinkler Systems in Furniture Stores
– The American Home Furnishings Alliance and National Home Furnishings Association joined forces in March to propose a change in the commercial building code to improve fire safety for retail employees, customers and first responders.
AHFA Companies Pledge Environmental Improvements
– The American Home Furnishings Alliance (AHFA) announces that C.R. Laine, Century Furniture, Fairfield Chair, Hickory Chair, Hooker Furniture and the case goods division of La-Z-Boy all have pledged to become better environmental stewards by implementing an industry-specific environmental management system developed by AHFA.
AHFA Unveils Environmental Certification Program
– The American Home Furnishings Alliance unveiled an environmental certification program during its 2007 Annual Meeting in Charleston, S.C., last week. Called “Sustainable by Design,” the program will provide companies with a roadmap for implementing environmental policies and practices that lead to certification.
YHFP Launches New Online Job Service
– The Young Home Furnishings Professionals (YHFP), a division of the American Home Furnishings Alliance, has launched an interactive job board called the YHFP Career Connection.
Plans Announced for New International Casual Furnishings Association
– The Summer and Casual Furniture Manufacturers Association announced last night it has initiated plans for a new organization to unite the industry and meet the challenges of the future.
AHFA Formulating Compliance Strategy for New California Regulation
– The American Home Furnishings Alliance (AHFA) is formulating a compliance strategy to help manufacturers meet the strict requirements in California’s new formaldehyde emissions regulation.
AHFA Receives Second 'Golden Thinker'
– Jackie Hirschhaut, vice president of public relations and marketing for the American Home Furnishings Alliance, has received a second 2007 “Golden Thinker” award from the North American Precis Syndicate.
Furniture Foundation Announces Grants
– The Furniture Foundation announces it has allocated $134,000 for scholarships, education and research at four colleges and universities for the 2007-2008 school year.
AHFA Responds to Proposed Chemical Ban
– A senior member of the California state legislature introduced legislation last week that would ban the use of halogenated flame retardants in products such as upholstered furniture, mattresses and bedding.
Young Home Furnishings Professionals Merges with AHFA
– The Young Home Furnishings Professionals, an organization dedicated to attracting young people to the home furnishings industry, as well as to keeping talented young professionals in the industry, has become a division of the American Home Furnishings Alliance.
AHFA Champions Industry's Leadership on Flammability Issue
– During the last week of October, CNN, NBC’s “Today Show,” CBS News and USA Today all contacted the American Home Furnishings Alliance for the industry’s position on a national upholstered furniture flammability standard.
AHFA Contracts with Stratus for Plywood Research
– The American Home Furnishings Alliance has contracted with Stratus Environmental Solutions Inc. to provide industry-wide research and guidance related to new air regulations impacting manufacturers of plywood and composite wood products.
AHFA Announces Safety Management Program
– The American Home Furnishings Alliance (AHFA) announces plans to create a certified safety management system that will enhance the welfare of furniture manufacturers’ employees, decrease incidents and injuries in the manufacturing workplace, and promote credibility with health and safety regulators.
AHFA Program will Mitigate Spike in Shipping Rates
– The American Home Furnishings Alliance is finalizing details of a container program that will help mitigate shipping rate increases for some member companies.
AFMA Reorganizes to Embrace Emerging Business Models
– The American Furniture Manufacturers Association has become the American Home Furnishings Alliance, a broad-based organization that will embrace the global home furnishings community while still remaining a critical advocate for U.S. furniture manufacturers.
