CFR presents Manufacturer Leadership Awards

Staff -- Casual Living, 10/1/2007 12:00:00 AM

The Casual Furniture Retailers Association presented its annual Manufacturer Leadership Awards during the recent Casual Market.

The awards in Furniture and Accessories divisions recognize excellence in product quality, design, merchandising, customer service, ethics, communications and trade relations. CFR President Petey Fleischut said, "As I stand here before you, what I recognize is pride in the casual furniture industry."

Telescope Casual Furniture was named the overall winner in the furniture division.

"We're 105 years old and it's our family's business," President Henry Vanderminden IV said as he accepted the award. "We're an old company but thanks to this award, we feel very new."

Telescope had been named a finalist in the extruded aluminum category.

Other finalists were: Hanamint — cast aluminum; Kingsley-Bate — wood; Lloyd/Flanders — wicker; Meadowcraft — iron.

Treasure Garden was named the winner of the accessories division, marking the umbrella maker's fifth year of winning the CFR Manufacturer Leadership award.

"Thank you very much for your unconditional support," said Margaret Chang, chief operating officer, as she accepted the award.

Other finalists were: Classic Cushions; Galtech; NDI and TUUCI.

Treasure Garden's Margaret Chang and Mike Friedrichsen receive award from Carl Vice

Furniture award winners from left: Hanamint, Lloyd/Flanders, Telescope and Meadowcraft with Carl Vice