Henredon expects to debut Barry line in spring 2005
By Jeff Linville -- Furniture Today, February 2, 2004
MORGANTON, N.C. — MORGANTON, N.C. — High-end manufacturer Henredon Furniture expects to launch its Barbara Barry licensed home furnishings line in spring 2005.
Michael Dugan, Henredon's president and CEO, said the broad new line wouldn't necessarily be introduced at the April 2005 High Point market. "It might be before that," he said.
Well-known designer Barry last year ended her association with Baker Furniture to team up with Henredon, a Furniture Brands International company.
She said her Henredon line would be "a vision for the home that encompasses all the rooms of the home" and "a synthesis of my experience as a designer."
It won't focus on a particular style but will have a casual feel, Barry said, adding, "It will be very American. We pull from all these different cultures."
Design work hasn't started yet, Dugan said.
Mickey Holliman, chairman, president and CEO of Furniture Brands, called Barry "one of the most talented designers the industry's ever known." Dugan said Henredon has two established brands, its own and Ralph Lauren, and welcomed a third.
Henredon is working with Barry's company to explore new ways of marketing the line, Dugan said, and will develop an internal support staff headed by a marketing director or brand manager. He said the company would recruit to fill a couple of new posts, seeking people with experience in marketing, branding and consumer goods, and possibly a retail background.
The new Barry brand staff will report to Steve McKee, executive vice president of sales and marketing, who spent many years in retail before joining Henredon two years ago.
Dugan expects Barry's line will encompass goods made by other Furniture Brands divisions like Maitland-Smith and Laneventure. Barry already has partnerships with Boyd Lighting, Tufenkian rugs and Baccarat crystal. She said Henredon welcomes diversity of product.
Henredon will help develop the full brand and show products by brand partners in its showroom, Dugan said.
He said furniture price points could be similar to what Baker offered, but may be higher or lower depending on the piece. Some special pieces might be quite expensive, he said, but other goods could be more affordable, thanks to FBI's global sourcing.
