STORIS' Customers Score Triple Honors at WHFA Conference

Furniture World Magazine

At the WHFA Conference, STORIS Management Systems debuted its new PalmPilot Software designed to revolutionize the means by which sales are entered on the sales floor, but as it turns out that was not the big news for the New Jersey based software company as three of their customers stole the show in Las Vegas. Bruce McEachran of E.S. Burgan & Son Inc., a long time customer (1989), was selected as WHFA Retailer of the Year; Larry Miller of Sit 'n Sleep was recently voted President of the WHFA Association, and Jake Jabs of American Furniture was keynote speaker at the conference. Jake was recently honored as the NHFA Retailer of the year and last year was WHFA Retailer of the Year. Past STORIS customers who have received the NHFA award include: Bill Childs of R.C. Willey Home Furnishings, Jim Gabbert of Gabberts Inc. and Bernie Moray of Gorman's Gallery. In addition, this year's annual retailer site excursion was to Walker Furniture, a STORIS user since 1994. McEachran was honored for his Spokane, Washington based store, which earned high honors for over 120 years of service. This single store operation is a solid fixture in its community and contributes to local charities on a regular basis. Larry Miller, President of Sit 'n Sleep's seven Los Angeles stores, is a second generation WHFA President, as his father Philip served in 1985 and 1986. Larry is in the midst of implementing a dramatic expansion program for his progressive bedding business. Jake Jabs has expanded American Furniture from $29 million to over $280 million in annual sales since acquiring STORIS in December of 1990. The company is building a 500,000 square foot warehouse in Denver that will open in January of 2001. His 8-store chain is the undisputed leader in the Colorado market. He frequently donates time, energy, and money to his favorite charities including Easter Seals and Multiple Dystrophy. Attending the event was STORIS' co-founder and Senior Vice President, Ira Bakst and Southeast Regional Manager, Tim O'Neill. STORIS salutes its honored customers and thanks the WHFA for the opportunity to meet and interface with its dealers throughout the three-day event. STORIS Management Systems, an IBM Business partner, provides computer turnkey solutions for furniture, appliance and electronic retailers. Over 300 retailers, including 20 of the TOP 100, have installed STORIS systems in the past decade. Note to editors: Ira Bakst is available to discuss STORIS Management Systems. To arrange for a phone or on-site interview, contact Liz McCulloch, 1-888-4-STORIS (1-888-478-6747), extension 285 or e-mail at emcculloch@storis.com.