As January arrives, we launch ourselves into a new year and a new decade. I doubt anyone needs reminding of just how rapidly the economic growth we enjoyed in the past decade slowed to a crawl in 2009. Described by one economist as the worst economic slowdown in 75 years, this past year challenged many just to survive. According to The Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association (BIFMA) it's estimated our industry experienced a 30.2% volume decline for the year (click here to see BIFMA projections). Still the contract furniture industry has proven to be resilient. Familiar with adverse business cycles, leading manufacturers took actions as necessary as they were difficult, downsizing operations. Positioning for the future is perhaps the best description - just how soon that favorable future presents itself remains a bit elusive, but we can be sure it will come in time, with effort.

Like me, I'll bet you are ready to celebrate the arrival of 2010. While BIFMA is forecasting a 4.6% decline in business for 2010, it's nothing like what we experienced for the last 12 to 15 months. I'm guessing that business will begin to recover in the coming months, nothing fantastic, just a slow and steady increase.

The good news for Contract Specialties, Inc. is that all of our manufacturers have done fairly well through this difficult period.

Please consider the following:

HBF and HBF Textiles remained profitable and continued to be highly respected brands.

In a recent count of Best of NeoCon award winners, HBF and HBF Textiles was in third place winning 30 total awards since 1990. HBF was only three awards behind Knoll (1st place) and one award behind Herman Miller (2nd place). Considering that
Knoll and Herman Miller's product development budgets may exceed HBF's total sales, this is a huge accomplishment.(source: December Contract magazine, page 18)

Also in the December issue of Contract, the annual Brand Report listed HBF as a top ten brand in a record five categories. Please review the listings and I promise you will be surprised at the companies that did not make certain lists.

§ Guest Seating (HBF in 2nd place) see list

§ Occasional Tables (HBF in 2nd place) see list

§ Lounge Seating (HBF in 3rd place) see list

§ Casegoods (HBF in 7th place) see list

§ Conference Tables (HBF in 7th place) see list (This is HBF's first appearance in this list's top ten)

HBF's product introductions over the last two years have been very successful. Linea has skyrocketed to become their most successful casegood introduction ever and is now the number one selling casegood product.

Barbara Barry's seating and table collection from this year's NeoCon was out of the gate very quickly. All seating series, Encircle, Perfect Pitch (especially the side chair) and Salon have sold well. Based on sales activity for both table series, Carousel and Double Take are destined to be in HBF's top five selling series.

This year's HBF textile introductions, Creature Comforts and the Campion Platt Collection, have been very well received with several patterns already appearing in HBF Textiles top 20 sellers.

Patrician continues to introduce new products in various market segments and is growing aggressively in the healthcare market. Patrician has won four silver NEOCON and one Gold NEOCON award in the last several years. Four of the five recent awards are in the Healthcare Furniture category, with Silver awards for Strada, Herbie, the Narrative Sleep sofa and a Gold for Narrative

Leland International has won NEOCON awards in all of the last five years The most recent awards were the 2007 Gold award for the Valeri Collection, the 2008 Silver award for the Brit Bench Metallic and 2009 Best Small Showroom award. Recent new Products include, the Cricket, Ease upholstered , Ease wood, and Mod. More new products are in the wings, so stay tuned.

Westin Nielsen enjoyed a revenue increase in 2009 vs 2008 of between 5% and 10% (final numbers just coming in). That's a fantastic performance based on current business environment. Westin Nielsen plans to introduce several products in 2010 and will continue it's work in plus size seating as well.

Hi5 Furniture has been amazing. Starting a new company and turning it profitable in the current conditions is just short of astonishing. Hi5 continues to introduce new products and encourage specials. If you haven't used Hi5 on a job, you're missing the opportunity to enjoy quality products at great pricing in aggressive leadtimes.

Adjustable Shelving is a non stop shining star. Their high density shelving system continues to receive high marks from dealers, clients, and installers alike. Shelving is not a terribly glamorous product, but Adjustable's low punch list projects are the norm and warranty claims are far and few between. Clients still seem to generate storage needs even in a down market, so volume remains steady at Adjustable. Keep Adjustable shelving products and their high density system in mind for your next project.

Joseph Noble Textiles has announced they will be introducing several exciting new products in early 2010. We will send more details as they develop.

If you want something a little unique at a great price point and quality level, consider J.Persing's seating and table products. The designs are not for everyone, but that's the point.