AFMA To Add Decorative Accessory Division

Furniture World Magazine

The American Furniture Manufacturers Association will expand its membership to include producers of decorative accessories, following recent approval of the move by the Association's board of directors. Plans call for the creation of a separate division with representation on the board of directors. Thomas C. Stout, president of Carson's, Inc., who headed a task force appointed in January and charged with exploring the feasibility of such action. "Our committee felt very strongly that AFMA should be the spokesperson for the home furnishings, industry, and not just part of it. The accessory companies comprise a large part of the business, including the number of exhibitors at Market, and should be included in the Association," Task force members included Don Belgrad, Chairman and CEO of Schnadig Corporation; Don Bottemiller, President of Homecrest Industries; Charlie Greene, President of Classic Gallery; and Joe Johnston, President of Johnston Casuals. "From a public relations standpoint, it would be more beneficial to promote the entire industry," Stout continued, "It's perceived by the consumer that decorative accessories are under the label of furniture. When they are thinking of buying furniture for their home., accessories are as much a part of their minds as sofas, tables, beds, etc. "And if we are representing the total home furnishings industry in Washington, we will have greater political clout," Stout added, "The accessory companies represent as many, if not more, congressmen as we already do. and so we would have greater influence With pending legislation. They also have many of the same environmental and production problems we have." He noted that discussions held with several leading decorative accessory manufacturers during the International Home Furnishings Market in April revealed that "they were very enthusiastic about being a part of our organization.'! In addition to representation in Washington, Stout pointed to a number of advantages that AFMA membership would provide these manufacturers, including information and services related to marketing, finance, human resources and transportation. "AFMA's promotion of the Market now that we are involved in the International Home Furnishings Marketing Association is a definite plus for them, and all the research we do has got to be positive for them Our seminars Would be informative too." Fred Preddy, president of Hammary Furniture Company and the AFMA, remarked, "Another one of the pluses of this addition is further unification of our industry. We have been a fragmented group historically, and this makes us more of a force."