by Held June 3-4 in Charlotte, it featured about 100 exhibits ranging from large-scale fiber processing and fabric-cutting equipment to drawer glides and decorative hardware
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Suppliers of materials and equipment for the furniture and bedding industries offered a range of their products and services during last week’s Furniture Manufacturing Expo.
Held June 3-4 at the Charlotte Convention Center, the event gave producers from around the region and the country a place to meet with key suppliers and plan out purchases for the remainder of the year and beyond.
The show featured about 100 exhibits, similar in scope to when it was previously held in Hickory, North Carolina, in recent years. The goal in moving it to Charlotte was to make it easier for attendees — both exhibitors and buyers — flying in from outside the region to attend.
Among the exhibitors was Jackson, Tennessee-based GenPac, which provides packaging materials for furniture and other industries. It showcased furniture and bedding packaging materials such as stretch film, mattress film, tape, labels and other supplies. These and other materials it supplies to furniture and other industries are available from its distribution facilities in Jackson, Tupelo and Pontotoc, Mississippi.
Keyston Bros. touted its supplies for upholstery manufacturers ranging from decking and dust covers to springs, tack strip and welt cord along with vinyl and decking materials, to name several.
The company has been coming to the show for the past four to five years, typically seeing many customers in and outside the region.
Canada-based Richelieu showcased just a portion of its line of hardware, hinges, slides, casters, shelf pins and more. Heico also showed a portion of its similarly extensive line of decorative nails, panel nails, zippers, tack strips and more.
Fastening Solutions Industries also showcased a portion of its line of nails, staples and spring nail clips for the furniture industry, offering specific solutions for key clients.
“We build a program around a customer’s needs,” said DC Hardenburg, business development manager, noting the company had some good prospects on the first day of the show. Visitors to its booth were from Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Mississippi and North Carolina, to name several states.
Longtime exhibitor Barber Manufacturing Co. showcased its extensive line of seating spring components ranging from pocket coil to sinuous spring products as well as rigid bar drop-in seating construction.
Entirely made in Indiana, the line aims to offer solutions that meet the specific needs of manufacturers. The show was a good way for the company to connect with new and existing customers as it seeks to grow during an otherwise slow period.
“We are certainly not up, but we are poised to expand,” said Jan Miller, general manager.
Of the show attendance, he added, “We’ve seen several existing customers and some potential new customers. We have had some good conversations out there today.”
Other companies were showing for the first time, including Knapp Connectors.com, a supplier of connectors for wood components. First established in Australia about 40 years ago, it has been serving the U.S. market for about 10 years. Making its debut at the Furniture Manufacturing Expo, it sought to connect with potential customers on the upholstery, case goods, millwork and cabinet industries in the U.S.
“We are very specialized,” said CEO Paul Knapp, noting that the company has an e-commerce model that appeals to many existing customers across the U.S. However, it is now building a sales force to extend its reach in the domestic furniture and other related industries that build products featuring wood components.
Sure Tack Systems of Woodstock, Georgia, also was showing at the FME for the first time, with a line of hot-melt glue systems along with automatic adhesive and manual applicators for the furniture and bedding industries. It also touted its services such as 24-hour tech support, on-site training and same-day shipping.
The company told Home News Now that it had seen some prospects on the first day of the show and that it was hoping to see more on day two.
While many exhibitors showcased smaller components and equipment, others including Zund and Pathfinder Cutting Technology showcased larger equipment such as cutting machines for fabric and leather. Card Clothing & Services Inc. of Huntley, Illinois, also touted its larger-scale equipment, ranging from cushion and pillow blowing systems to pillow filling equipment and nonwoven production lines handling processes including fiber preparation, web forming and finishing.
The show also offered numerous educational sessions and panel discussions over both days that addressed key issues impacting the furniture and bedding industries. In the photo below are participants in a panel hosted by Home News Now Editor-in-Chief Tom Russell.
