AFMA'S Names Accessory Division Steering Committee

Furniture World Magazine

A group of leading decorative accessory manufacturers have agreed to serve as the Steering Committee for the formation of an Accessory Division within the American Furniture Manufacturers Association. "Our research shows that the consumer considers decorative accessories furniture in their shopping process and we are delighted that this outstanding group of individuals have agreed to serve as the steering committee in the formative stages of our Accessory Division," said Fred Preddy, president of Hammary Furniture and the American Furniture Manufacturers Association. .The initial steering committee will be comprised of the following individuals: Bruce Bradburn, Bradburn Company, Atlanta, GA Wait Blackburn, Sedgefield by Adams, High Point, NC Mary Taylor, Montaage, Dallas, TX Randy Nakayama, Toyo, Los Angeles, CA Alan Palecek, Palecek, Richmond, CA Harvey Hollingsworth, The Natural Light, Panama City, FL Louis Scutellaro, Mario Industries, Roanoke, VA Kris Lindsey, Kinder-Harris, Stuttgart, AR Richard Campbell, Carolina Mirror Corp., N. Wilkesboro, NC. "This is an important first step in recognizing that all parts of the home furnishings industry are integral to the consumer's shopping experience," Preddy continued. "We believe the Accessory Division will enhance the overall industry image and present information to today's discerning consumer in a well rounded format," he concluded. "This step is the culmination of discussions which have gone on over several months and we believe will bode well for the entire home furnishings industry. We encourage 0 members of the decorative accessory industry to join with AFMA to increase the size of the pie and assure that our industry's portion of the consumer's disposal income does, in fact, come our way," said Douglas Brackett, executive vice president of AFMA. "We believe this step will lead to a broader consumer understanding of our industry, its products, and its role in their lives," he concluded. The American Furniture Manufacturers Association is the largest nonprofit, voluntary organization for furniture manufacturers, It serves to foster the growth and development of the furniture industry. The AFMA has 350 corporate members, representing 150,000 employees and more than 75 percent of the U. S. furniture shipments.