Fifield Inc., Names Erica Richer To Head New Home Furnishings Division

Furniture World Magazine

Fifield Inc., a Hingham, Mass.-based international company that has been providing imaginative textiles for design for over 75 years, has announced that Erica A- Richer of Marshfield will head the new Fifield Home Furnishings division. Richer, a former product development and quality assurance manager at Fifield, has been named managing director. 'The new Basics Classics line that Fifield Home Furnishings is introducing responds to the sometimes conflicting demands placed on today's- furniture," says Richer. "By day a living room sofa may play host to kids with sticky fingers and dogs with chew toys. By night that same sofa may entertain couples lounging after a formal dinner party. So durability that doesn't compromise style is essential in home fabrics. That kind of elegant dependability is the trademark of Fifield Inc." Fifield Home Furnishings will cater to upholsterers, interior designers, contract architects, furniture manufacturers and retailers. Fabrics will include rich and durable velvets, flat-woven jacquards, chenilles, and synthetic leathers and suedes. "Our line will enable the consumer to coordinate upholstery, pillows, tabletops, draperies, and top of the bed into a lasting design theme," says Richer. "Our strong and easy-toclean fabrics will be able to stand up to everyday use but can be accessorized beautifully with existing contrasting textures and colors for a dramatic look." Fifield Inc. decided to launch the home furnishings division because of Richer's experience and interest in the development and application of stylish yet durable home - fabrics. "Erica came to us with a business plan that would combine Fifield's exacting standards and customer service with her vision and desire to fill a neglected industry niche," says Ed Martin, president of Fifield Inc. "Her knowledge of fabrics and sense of style are great plusses. Combine those talents with terrific marketing and sales savvy and we were presented with an opportunity that we couldn't refuse." Richer had previously worked at Fifield following her graduation from the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth. With a BS in Textile Sciences and a concentration in marketing and merchandising, Richer began her career in product development and quality assurance. She then moved to Reebok International where she worked as manager for the Greg Norman Apparel division and later the Licensed Apparel division. Most recently Richer was a sales representative for Barrow Industries/Merrimac Textiles of Norwood, Mass. Fifield Inc., based in Hingham, Mass., has been a leading international supplier of quality textiles since 1924. Fifield's fabrics include luxurious yet durable imitation leathers and suedes, flocked velvets, linens and flannels. Specialized fabrics include Kenized@ SilverShieldTm and the GlendaleTm Polishing Cloth. Fifield supplies the fabrics of today for the ideas of tomorrow. For more information about Fifield Inc., call 781-335-7060, fax 781-335-7709 or e-mail ericher@fifieldfabrics.com.