Furniture First Launches Its Own Furniture Protection Plans Under the Protection 1st Brand

Furniture World Magazine

Furniture First, one of the nation’s top retail furniture buying groups, recently announced the creation of Protection 1st, an exclusive line-up of private label furniture protection plans available only to its members. Montage Furniture Services (MFS) will be the premiere service provider for the plans. MFS, a business unit of Montage, Inc., has been a prominent service provider to the furniture protection plan industry since 1983. Furniture First will launch its Protection 1st program on April 1, 2005. The Protection 1st program will offer coverage for fabric, leather and vinyl upholstery, area rugs, mattresses and case goods. Bill Hartman, President of Furniture First, expressed that the main goal of this endeavor is to supply Furniture First’s member stores with a higher level of service and accountability; increase customer service while maintaining excellent gross margins; and build confidence in both consumers and sales personnel. The final result will give Furniture First members a marketing advantage over their competition. “We’re excited to give our member stores the opportunity to offer Protection 1st branded protection plans to their customers. We believe the program will have a positive impact on both customer loyalty and store bottom lines,” noted Furniture First President Bill Hartman. MFS President Alan Salmon said that MFS is looking forward to serving the prestigious members of Furniture First that represent almost $1 billion in sales. “We are committed to providing Furniture First members with a superior program that is backed by our 32-year record for outstanding customer service,” Salmon said. For more information on Furniture First, contact Bill Hartman, 6041 Linglestown Road, Suite 101, Harrisburg, PA 17112; phone 717-540-9725; e-mail info@furniturefirst.com; or visit www.furniturefirst.com.