thinking about the holidays and rushed to order a few gifts. Working at Forever Redwood allows me to build beautiful personalized gifts from our shop at a discount. I just have to plan ahead until there is space in our busy production queue. Being mid-November, time is thin to get the wish list done and shipped (2 building block sets, 2 shower benches, a mini-foot stool and a disk swing). I really enjoy engraving personal messages on the gifts. The engraving makes it special and not "off-the-shelf." After typing in the order, I thought there is still time to offer our customers the same opportunity to also get a few personalized gifts built at a discount. Here's what we can do with the limited time left.... How to Save Money While Giving Unique & Beautiful GiftsYou can use our 15% off coupon code (type "RIO" in the coupon box), plus we can add free engraving on any holiday gift. We've added a photo of the building block kit to show the typical engraving we do. But, you're the artist—just let us know what you want us to engrave. To get your order out on time, please order no later than Sunday, November 29th. The kids enjoy building tall block towers. But, what they REALLY like is knocking them down and making a racket! The disk swing is great if you have a large tree to hang it from and the shower benches can be made any size to fit almost anyone's shower. The mini foot stool is made in our new Mosaic Eco-Wood (from all the other wood grades combined) and shows the engraving option also. The mini foot stool is very useful and sturdy. The kids sit on and use it to climb into trouble. I use it to get to the top of the cabinets in the kitchen. Free Engraving for All, Free Shipping on Larger Orders...I mention my choices because they are affordable and useful gifts, but you can choose anything you like. Our shopping cart is not set up to do free engraving and it would take too long to program it in. So, to make it easy, just type FREE ENGRAVING OFFER in the special instructions box, where you can also type in the message you'd like engraved. And, lastly, if you get carried away and order over $1,000 worth of items, shipping is on us anywhere in the Continental U.S. Happy Holidays. Thank you for your continuing support over the years. Our next newsletter will be focusing on our forestry work and updating everyone on what has been accomplished since the 1990s. |  Fun in the snow swinging on a Kid's Disk Swing (adult versions available too, for the young at heart).  Mini Foot Stool in our new Mosaic Eco-Wood wood grade.  A classic building block set makes the perfect children's gift.  The Lighthouse Shower & Spa Bench also makes an attractive and affordable holiday gift—I'm giving a couple myself. |
Forever Redwood for the Holidays
Get Ahead in This Competitive Market with This Office Furniture in Greece Report
Research and Markets
Laura Wood, Senior Manager
press@researchandmarkets.com
U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907
Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716
Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/85a604/office_furniture_i) has announced the addition of ICAP Group's new report "Office Furniture in Greece 2008" to their offering.
This study considers the office furniture sector (offices, chairs, cabinets-bookcases-pedestals, partitions). However, office partitions made with dry wall systems (gypsum boards), as well as school chairs, are not assessed in this particular study.
The office furniture market is a rather competitive one. Sector companies, in order to meet the increased needs of modern office spaces, sell products which are constantly changing and improving from an aesthetic and technological point of view, providing new solutions every time.
Imported products are increasing in relation to domestically-produced ones. The office furniture sectors key characteristic is the existence of a great amount of small and medium-sized companies and relatively few large companies which, however, are the ones dominating the market. This creates a highly competitive situation in which big sector companies are striving to change and innovate all the time, in order to maintain or expand their market share.
The increase in imported furniture is rather evident in the category of office chairs, which entail a much higher labor cost and in which countries with a low labor cost have an advantage. As for office partitions, they are frequently used and can be combined with other office furniture according to the users demands, offering an easy solution that can have multiple uses.
Key Topics Covered:
1. Summary
1.1 Demand
1.2 Supply
1.3 The Market
2. Sector Companies and Analysis of their Financial Data
2.1 Sales of Office Furniture Manufacturers
2.2 Financial Analysis of Manufacturers
2.3 Sales of Importers
2.4 Financial Analysis of Importers
3. Conclusions and Prospects for the Sector
Products Mentioned:
-- Desks
-- Office chairs
-- Seminar-collaboration chairs
-- Working chairs
-- Armchairs
-- Waiting room sofas
-- Movie-theatre seats
-- Amphitheater seats
How to take care of your outdoor furniture?
Haul all the pieces inside to that spot where they can avoid the onslaught of ice and cold.
But furniture dealers and makers, as well as professional organizers, know having an indoor home for that 6-foot-long, stone-top table or cast-aluminum chaise is not likely to happen.
Proper care is going to involve some time, effort and even wisdom in choosing the place.
"For this area, cast aluminum is just about the best stuff you can buy," says Marcie Buckiso from the Fireplace & Patioplace in Mt. Lebanon. "It never rusts, it has a fantastic paint surface and it has some weight to it so it doesn't blow around."
She says a four-piece table and chairs might cost about $1,599, but could be a long-lasting, cost-effective purchase.
Indoor storage would be the most-effective solution, but it is one few people have. Meredith Shuster, owner of a professional organizing firm in Wexford, Within Reach Solutions, suggests it could be worthwhile for several neighbors to jointly rent a storage unit to take care of that.
But whether it is cast aluminum, its tubular cousin, wicker, teak, stone or steel, care requires specifically aimed plans.
A flood of problems
Water always is an issue -- outside, on top or even inside furniture.
Debbie Rushin, co-owner of Cheswick Pools & Patios, says it is important to keep tubular furniture in its normal upright position to take advantage of drain holes.
Water is likely to get into the tubes because they are not firmly sealed, but drain holes allow it to escape. If the furniture is stored on its edge or upside down, or chairs stacked on top of the table, that water can be trapped, freeze and cause the tubes to "burst like a pipe," she says.
While cast aluminum is strong and can fight off most weather woes, it does have microscopic pores that can admit small amounts of water, says Fred Ilse, president of the North Carolina-based Outdoor Lifestyle furniture company. If that surface is not painted or sealed in some other way, that moisture can freeze and cause the tubes to swell, ruining the surface.
He and Buckiso strongly recommend caring for cast aluminum furniture with metal paint to keep up the appearance -- and keep the pores sealed.
Water can create a different kind of problem with cushions.
Buckiso says cushions will absorb some moisture even if they don't seem wet. If they are put away in some seemingly protective covering, mildew can set in.
"When you go to get them in the spring, you could have a real mess," she says.
But organizer Shuster and retailer Rushin point out the importance of using water -- for cleaning -- on those cushions before they are stacked in a ventilated area.
Shuster suggests a cleanser of a half-cup of non-chlorinated bleach mixed with five gallons of water. She suggests then topping that with a commercial material protectant.
Linseed oil also is a good cleaning tool, she says, particularly for rattan wicker furniture, but she warns that it is an oil and flammable. Any cloths with linseed on them should be heavily rinsed and then wrapped to avoid contact with anything else.
Water also plays a big role with stone-top tables. Water can seep through small cracks, freeze and cause bigger cracks, just as it does on highways, Ilse says. He and Rushin say few people are going to carry their table indoors because they can weigh 250 pounds and few homes have the space for them.
So the best thing to do is clean them and cover them, but make sure to put 2- by 4-inch pieces of wood under the cover to allow air flow and get that moisture to dry before it freezes.
But the key to stone-top tables is sealing the surface once a year.
That process can only take an hour or so, they say, but sometimes requires a good two-day stretch, one to do the work and another to let the surface cure.
"Sometimes you have to wait for a good weekend forecast," Ilse says.
Other forms of care
Like materials and pieces require similar approaches.
Shuster says umbrellas demand a treatment much like that for cushions: cleaning, perhaps with trisodium phosphate, taking them to what Ilse call's a "bone dry" state, then folding and storing in a ventilated area to eliminate the chance of mildew.
Steel furniture is like stone-top in its weight and size, Buckiso says, so generally does not come inside. The best thing is to clean the surfaces, sand rough spots, paint with an outdoor paint and cover.
Covers naturally have a vital role.
Rushin suggests high-grade vinyl is the best because it is waterproof, but she points to the air-flow issue Ilse discusses.
Microfibers are very good, and breathable, but if snow and ice sit on them, they can let water seep through.
Buckiso suggests a "material quality" covering, which is cloth-like and synthetic, is better. She points to one that is waterproof, breathable and machine-washable, selling for about $30 for a chair and $77 for a sofa.
The easy way out
One way to handle cold-weather care for outdoor furniture is to avoid it entirely.
That is possible with some materials.
"If you are lazy like me, teak is the ultimate furniture material," says Jennifer Mulholland, director of sales and marketing for Rockwood Casual Furniture in Toronto, Canada.
Bill Reese, owner of Creekside Landscape Supply in Greensburg, says that is exactly why he carries only a line of furniture made from recycled milk jugs.
"We had to find this product at the urging of the consumers," he says.
Mulholland says the best way to handle teak is to "do nothing. It has been used on boats for hundreds of years, and sailors have come to recognize is stands up to weather, cold, salt water, sunlight, everything."
Of course, one issue that must be considered is that weathered teak turns gray, she says. If that is not wanted, it should be washed off and treated with a teak sealant, which she calls "suntan lotion."
So a little work might be necessary.
Marcie Buckiso from Fireplace & Patioplace in Mt. Lebanon agrees with Mulholland about the strength of teak, but they both point out only good teak is that strong. They both warn against lower-quality wood that will not stand up to weather. Going for good quality can have a price connected to it, Buckiso says. A four-chair dining set in the top of the line could cost $5,000, she says.
That is not a problem with the man-made items at Creekside, and that is another reason for its popularity. An Adirondack chair would cost $277, Reese says, but will be easy to care for.
"You don't even have to cover it," he says. "When the spring comes, wipe it off and you are ready to go."
Keeping Your Furniture Looking Great ( See Coupon Below )
As the kids are getting older, I love playing with them in the yard more than ever. Being Forever Redwood's founder has one great perk—my yard is littered with loungers, swings, benches, planters, a sandbox, a gazebo, and a few pieces that never made the "cut" onto our website.
Regardless of wood grade, after a few years, the surface color tells the story of daily battles with rain, sun, and the birds (they love to bomb my table in particular...). While sitting in our garden swing yesterday with 11-month-old Norma Mia in my arms, I figured there were some Forever Redwood owners experiencing the same "I wish the stuff looked as good as it did back when..." thoughts.
Redwood is almost decay proof. It doesn't need our help to last for decades. But, if your eyes don't like the changing tones or the stains, there are quick solutions to bring back the original surface beauty completely or partially in minutes. The details are on our Finish Options and Furniture Care page:
http://www.foreverredwood.com/
When I bring out the power washer, the kids love the noise and the water. Especially the instant rain feature by shooting it straight up in the air :-)
To read more about our forestry practices, please go to:
http://www.foreverredwood.com/restoration-forestry.html To read more about our grades of wood, please go to:
http://www.foreverredwood.com/wood.html We also have an extensive FAQs section here:
http://www.foreverredwood.com/frequently-asked-questions Interested in our free report on Redwood vs. Teak? Here's the download link:
http://www.foreverredwood.com/forever-redwood-report.pdf
If you are planning a purchase in the near future, make sure to use our 10% off coupon code "RIO" to save a few dollars.
Also, if you don't mind waiting a couple more weeks for delivery and would like to save even more money, consider taking advantage of our 50% Off Shipping. It's our way of buying some extra time for our crew -- they hand-manufacture each piece! Simply choose the "50% Off" option from the shipping menu upon checkout.
Businessman denies kickbacks
Patrick Smith, who resigned from Cargo Consolidation Services Inc. in August, was arrested by Claremont police Thursday evening and charged with felony obtaining property by false pretense.
Smith, who turned himself in to Claremont police, was given a $10,000 unsecured bond.
Smith, who left Cargo Consolidation Services to become vice president of sales and marketing at Valdese-based Worldwide Logistics, made a first appearance Friday in District Court. His next court date is Nov. 18.
As yet unrepresented by an attorney, Smith said he will plead not guilty to the charge.
Capt. Gary Bost of the Claremont Police Department said the charge against Smith stems from his receipt of more than $21,000 from companies that were doing business with Cargo Consolidation Services, a provider of freight consolidation, third-party logistics and support services to the furniture industry.
Smith worked for the company for 20 years before joining Worldwide Logistics, a specialized furniture carrier formed last year with the merger of six furniture transportation companies.
Smith denies any wrongdoing.
The payments being questioned were commission-type arrangements that "did not affect the revenue stream of Cargo Consolidation Services" he said.
John Pope, Cargo Consolidation Services chairman, said Smith's compensation package was a fixed salary with a year-end bonus and no commissions allowed.
Ownership was unaware suppliers were being asked to make payments to Smith and would never have condoned such a practice, Pope said.
Smith is a past president of the American Home Furnishings Alliance suppliers division, and has been active on the Furniture Foundation board of directors, the Specialized Furniture Carriers Association and the National Home Furnishings Association.
Early Lesson For ForeverRedwood
First, we studied which seedlings lived and the few that were growing. The seedlings in heavily shaded areas (next to a downed logged or near watercourses) did the best. Seedlings in exposed or windy areas died or were about to die. Seedlings planted with the ability to catch water did better than those without some obstacle that held water.
In Dec 2003, we planted 1,200 seedlings at least 18 inches tall in a completely new way. Using an auger bit attached to a chain saw, holes 2 feet deep and about 9 inches wide were dug. Then about 6 inches of loose soil was thrown back into the hole before planting. After filling the air pockets and tamping down moderately, about 4 inches of duff (leaves, small branches, cones, from the surrounding forest ground) was added to the top of the hole to add insulation from the wind and sun. We planted the trees deep enough so the top of the 4 inches of duff still remained at least a couple inches below the contour of the ground. Planting this way accomplished 4 things:
2. The duff insulated the roots to help retain moisture thru the hot dry summer and fall.
3. The larger seedlings didn't need plastic tree protectors because deer could no longer pull the trees out of the ground if they nibbled off the tip.
4. Planting deep and below the contour of the land left pockets to collect extra rainwater and the roots were kept cooler year round at the added depth.
Growing Success…
A few months later, the newly planted seedlings began sprouting new growth. Five years later, over 7,500 of the larger seedlings have been planted this way. Over 85% have lived. While still relatively small, most grow an average of 6 to 8 inches per year at this young age without being watered or cared for in any way. Thousands of young Redwoods averaging 3 ft in height are now slowly restablishing the ancient tree's dominance in our Annapolis forestlands.
In March of 2008, a couple researchers from National Geographic magazine visited. The magazine is preparing its first expose on the Redwood forest since 1964, to be published in late 2009. After a 3-day visit, Michael Fay, the lead researcher, mentioned no one in the Redwoods was planting trees like we were. He had us plant one tree for the magazine to photograph the process explained above. It was a bit past the best time to plant, so we watered the hole extensively before and after. Hopefully the tree planting notes and photos will make it into the article.
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