Universal Furniture and Meredith Corporation To Launch Better Homes and Gardens Furniture Collection

Furniture World Magazine

Universal Furniture International has partnered with the Meredith Corporation, publisher of Better Homes and Gardens™, to produce and launch a full line of furniture bearing the name of America’s premier monthly magazine. The Better Homes and Gardens Furniture Collection, a collection of classic, sturdy, multi-functional, enduring and affordable pieces, will mirror the classic designs that readers have come to expect from the pages of Better Homes and Gardens™ magazine. The licensing agreement calls for Universal to create a full line of wooden furniture and upholstered products for living rooms, bedrooms and dining rooms at mid to upper-middle price points. The line -- which will debut at The High Point Furniture Market in the spring of 2007 -- will open with three distinct collections: - Cottage – Casual and comfortable. Not quite country, but easy living. Merges a bit of country decor with clean modern simplicity. - Traditional – Today’s traditional in livable and stylish designs that are multi-functional and gracious. - Transitional – A modern sense with smooth lines and traditional roots. Complete comfort with a sophisticated, fresh feel “We at Universal Furniture feel that Better Homes and Gardens delivers trust, appeal, and scope – three powerful ingredients that will resonate with retailers and consumers alike,” said Universal president and CEO Randy Chrisley. “The Better Homes and Gardens Furniture Collection will be presented in a lifestyle setting to give shoppers the inspiration and ideas to see how the furniture could work in their own homes. Universal Furniture is proud to be a partner in ushering in this new era of branded furniture.” “We are very excited about this unique partnership,” said Andy Sareyan, President of Better Homes and Gardens. “Universal Furniture International is committed to offering quality furniture with a high degree of value at attractive prices - something our loyal readers expect from the Better Homes and Gardens brand.” The Better Homes and Gardens Furniture Collection -- available at retail in fall 2007 -- will be distributed primarily through furniture dealers across the United States. About Universal Furniture International: Universal Furniture International, Inc. is a highly regarded source for beautiful home furnishings at attractive prices. Universal Furniture offers design excellence and exceptional manufacturing processes from its dedicated facilities in China. Universal offers its collections through fine home furnishings retailers throughout North America and in numerous other countries. For more information, please visit www.universalfurniture.com. About Meredith Corporation: Meredith (www.meredith.com) is one of the nation’s leading media and marketing companies with businesses centering on magazine and book publishing, television broadcasting, integrated marketing and interactive media. The Meredith Publishing Group features 25 subscription magazines – including Better Homes and Gardens, Family Circle, Ladies’ Home Journal, Parents, Child, Fitness, and American Baby – and approximately 200 special interest publications.