AMERICAN FURNITURE HALL OF FAME ADDS THREE MEMBERS:

Furniture World Magazine

The American Furniture Hall of Fame has added three new members for 1997: John R. "Jack" Gerken, Jr., past president and chairman of Norwalk Furniture Corporation; Clyde Hooker, Jr., president and chief executive officer of Hooker Furniture; and Albert G. Juilfs "Trailblazer", President and CEO, a founder of Senco Products. Inc. The new members, selected from 12 nominees, were inducted during the ninth annual banquet gala held at the International Home Furnishings Center's ballroom on October 16, 1997. John R. "Jack" Gerken, Jr. (b 1926), past president and chairman of Norwalk Furniture Corporation joined Norwalk in 1947. Beginning as an industrial engineer, he used his strong intellect, rare vision, and unbridled energy to help Norwalk grow from a regional manufacturer to a formidable national competitor in manufacturing technology, industrial relations and marketing innovations. In the 1960's, Jack, with his brother Ned, pioneered the furniture franchising concept. He was the driving force behind developing the International Woodworking Machinery Show and Furniture Supply Fair (IWF). He helped to unite NAFM and SFMA into the American Furniture Manufacturers Association and was prominent in the development of an econometric forecasting model for the home furnishings industry. He served as a director of AFMA, president of NAFM, and charter board member of IWF and UFAC. Clyde Hooker, Jr. (b 1920) joined Hooker Furniture in 1946, was elected president in 1960, and chief executive officer in 1966. Under his guidance, the company became one of America's most successful manufacturing concerns. Hooker Furniture became a leader in developing successful niches such as wall units, bookcases, home office and home entertainment centers. Clyde Hooker served as chairman of the Dallas Market Center Advisory Board, the Advisory Board of the Atlanta Merchandise Mart, Director Emeritus of the American Furniture Manufacturers Association, and provided substantial contributions of time and money to the Home Furnishings Council and the High Point University Furniture Program. He received the James T. Ryan award from AFMA in 1985 and The Pillar of Industry award from IHFRA in 1977. Albert G. Juilfs (b1891 d 1970) "Trailblazer", President, CEO, and a founder of Senco Products, Inc., President and Chairman of the Board emeritus. He was truly an inventive genius and pioneer. He built the industry's first fully somatic pneumatic upholstery stapling tool, replacing the manual tack hammer. The pneumatic stapler cut training time from months to days, increased productivity, lowered labor costs, and reduced the problem of finding skilled craftsmen. The industry no longer had to be limited by the skill of the "tack spitter". Perhaps the major benefit to business from this tool was the ability to raise quality standards. As Juilfs developed new fastening technology, larger and more powerful tools were introduced for nearly every work station. During a lifetime that saw him acquire almost 100 patents, he changed and made an immense impact on the furniture industry. Through his ingenuity, Juilfs led the industry to realize the significant increases in productivity needed to keep United States furniture competitive in the world market. Research fellowships in wood construction were established by Juilfs at Virginia Polytechnic Institute. 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 furniture industry and to research, collect and preserve the cultural, economic and artistic history.