At the same time O'Sullivan officials were trying to maneuver their way out of paying $1.2 million worth of utility bills at their Lamar plant, they were busily preparing a Las Vegas show totally spotlighting their foreign imports...with little or no mention of the work being done locally.
The debut of the new O'Sullivan emphasis came during a home show at the opening of Building B at the World Market Center in Vegas.
According to Furniture Today:
Traffic also was heavy at O’Sullivan, where each of the introductions in the company’s new 1,800-square-foot showroom in Building B is imported, not made at its Lamar, Mo. facility. All pieces incorporate Ledalock, a no-tool, snap-lock assembly system, part of a new O'Sullivan partnership with fellow ready-to-assemble producer Leda.
Introductions include the formal and stately Kingsley collection in vintage chestnut with antique bronze hardware, hand-turned solid-wood feet, framed wood drawers and keyboard management; and Piedmont, a transitional piece in golden cherry with satin nickel hardware and hollow core tops.
All hardware is pre-assembled into pieces.
"We want consumers to be able to purchase case goods quality furniture from us at an RTA price," said Keri O’Connell, product manager.
7 comments:
Once again, Turner, your journalistic integrity is lacking. O'Sullivan never expected to manuever out of paying the utility bill. They only sought temporary refuge until the cash flow situation improved. If you will actually read the articles you dearly love to quote from, you would see that the entire balance would be paid to Lamar before year end. Is it any wonder hoe you went from "award winning" journalist to middle school teacher?
In the first place, I would think that any teacher would resent your condescending attitude toward the profession. I did not consider my move into teaching to be a step backward.
As for my comment about O'Sullivan Industries and the maneuvering out of paying their bill, a lot of people run into cash flow problems; I know of very few who have the gall to ask out of paying those bills for six months. Whether the company planned to pay it back later, and I have no doubt that was the intent, it still was trying to maneuver its way out of paying the bill.
Well, Randy, I guess if you didn't have a track record of disdain for O'Sullivan's management (Million dolar CEO) and the situation they were in, you'd get the benefit of the doubt. However, you do. Therefore, it is reasonable to say that your position will be negatively received whenever you address O'Sullivan news. Had your attitude been neutral or positive, I imagine you might have written - "O'Sullivan is working with city officials to find equitable solutions to there current cash flow issue." That's not a very shocking headline though, is it? Won't get a shock and awe response to that will ya? You're right teachers are special people who deserve credit and it isn't a step backward to involve yourself in the lives of children. You made your bed with your deceptive and antagonistic remarks about O'S. Now lie in it. The management team you despise has kept that company alive for twon years longer than it would have with the previous regime (provocative word). Atleast 900 people still have a job.
Randy:
You must have been rendered speechless by this incredibly articulate response! I certainly wouldn't know how to respond to them. Perhaps you should explain the proper use of "there". Or maybe you should explain that this is a new "regime" and that they are replacing the last group who oversaw a nearly 40 percent decline in sales and a bankruptcy during "there" tenure of two years. A tenure which included such brilliant ideas as importing pens! Or maybe you should just let this responders comments speak for themselves!
Got me. I didn't spell check before sending my comment. Blame it on my kids and wife distracting me. Didn't get my satirical response? Seems to me you are either a current insider or a recent outsider as you have product knowledge. You would also know that dependence on particle board was part of initial demise of O'S manufacturing. Particle board prices had surged over 60% since 9/11. O'S couldn't cover their costs. Taking a chance with diversification in order to relieve pressure on raw materials was the intent of the imprt business. Not every bet pays off.
Thank goodness there is still hope that some people have a positive and hopeful outlook for the company that so many are ready to give up on. Good job pointing out the issues with board pricing, that has a huge impact when it is the largest part of the cost of O'S product. As far as the imports, if they do well I think we should all be happy. Profits are profits and may just give the company the much needed positive cash flow they (we) need to get through the current crisis and give the new CEO a chance to turn the production and sales of our domestic product around. I for one feel O'Sullivan can and will continue to provide a good product at a good price for consumers. How about looking for a little positive news Randy, starting to sound a lot like the mainstream liberal press.
Randy:
Don't tell these guys the truth about Santa or the Easter Bunny. Fantasyland wouldn't be the same without them!
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