American Furniture Hall of Fame Inducts Four For 2001

Furniture World Magazine

The American Furniture Hall of Fame celebrated the. opening night of the High Point Fall Furniture Market by naming and inducting four new Members during the thirteenth Annual Banquet Gala in the International Home Furnishings Center Ballroom. Alvin E. "Bo" Bland, president and CEO of Action Industries and Art Van Elslander, chairman, CEO, and owner of Art Van Furniture stores in Michigan, elected by sponsors; David Wolcott Kendall, the dean of American designers with Kendall College of Art and Design founded in his honor, and Joanna C. Maitland, president of Joanna C. Maitland and Associates, cited for contributions in consumer and industry education, public relations and political affairs, were named as "Trailblazer, members, elected by the AFHF board of directors. Alvin E. "Bo" Bland (1924), began his career working with pioneer, Morris Futorian. He helped to bring modem furniture manufacturing technology and processes into Mississippi. The Futorian Company grew to $250 in sales and Mississippi has become the second largest state in the United States for furniture manufacturing. He, with Professor Lorenz, developed the mechanical development of the first TV position lounge chair mechanism. Bo co-founded Action Industries in 1970, which has grown to be the second largest recliner manufacturer in the US, with sales in excess of $400 million. It was merged into The Lane Company in 19172. David Wolcott Kendall (1851 - 1910) was the dean, and most widely copied, of American Furniture designers. He also impacted furniture history in manufacturing, marketing and education. He is credited with the McKinley chair, the Morris Chair and the first revolving and reclining office chair. Prompted by the scarcity of some woods, Kendall developed wood stains, an d finishes such as Antique Oak, Sixteenth Century Early English, Cremona Malachite, and Jacobean finishes. Grand Rapids' Kendall College of Art and Design, founded in his honor, was established in 1928.. Over 90% of the members of the American Society of Furniture Designers (ASFD) are Kendall College graduates. Joanna C. Maitland president of Joanna Maitland Associates, has been an active "Trailblazer, in the furniture industry for 25 years. A former director of consumer affairs of the Sporty and Hutchison Company, parent of eight furniture companies, she became an early advocate to identify consumer furniture wants and needs and to increase market share by educating them. Award winning consumer education materials that followed had wide distribution. While at S&H, Maitland became director of communications for the UFAC, Upholstered Furniture Action Council, the voluntary flammability industry program. For the next 25 yews she developed programs, materials, and organized semi-annual market press breakfasts. She has served as Managing Director of AFHF for the past twelve years and has been involved with management, exhibits, archives, print and video production. Art Van Elslander (1930) chairman and owner of Art Van Furniture, opened his flrst store, in 1959 in Michigan. In spite of Detroit's struggling economy in the 1950's and 1960's, he was confident and pursued growth. Stores, warehouse facilities, and training programs were added to provide immediate , no-charge delivery to customers. Other innovations followed, a "30-day satisfaction guarantee,," an Art Van Convenience Card, "Mattress Express" and in-house repairs. Today, Art Van operates 28 state-of-the-art stores throughout Michigan with a near 40% share of the state's furniture market. His success is attributed to his unwavering integrity and the high regard, respect and loyalty of his employees, customers, and suppliers. The 2001 Roster of other industry pioneers and leaders who were nominated includes: Joe Benaron, Arnold Dwight England, Anton 'Tony"' Gfesser, Charles E. Hayworth, Jr., Charles Simon Heyman, Katherine Covington Lambeth, Leon Jerome Levitz, and Irwin Lowenstein. The American Furniture Hall of Fame is an all-industry effort organized to honor those individuals whose outstanding achievements have contributed to the continued growth and development of the American manufactured furniture industry, and to research, collect and preserve its cultural, economic and artistic history. For more information call (336) 882-5900.