Craftmaster to market Lacquer Craft upholstery
By Joan Gunin -- Furniture Today, March 10, 2008
Taylorsville, N.C. — Universal has merged its imported upholstery line into sister company Craftmaster Furniture, creating a standalone upholstery company for parent Lacquer Craft.
"We are now one upholstery company," said Roy Calcagne, president and CEO of Craftmaster. "It's one-stop shopping at the Universal showroom in High Point."
Lacquer Craft, parent of case goods resources Universal and Legacy Classic, added upholstery two years ago with its acquisition of Craftmaster.
Universal's former imported upholstery division is now known as The Estate Collection by Craftmaster. The program offers fabric frames and fabric/leather collage combinations featuring eight-way, hand-tied construction and blend-down cushions. It is positioned as Craftmaster's top-of-the line program with retail prices from $999 to $1,499.
The existing U.S.-made Craftmaster line provides custom upholstery at retails of $599 to $999. Leather offerings are priced from $1,299 to $1,499.
Its other domestic line, Better Homes and Gardens by Universal, introduced last April, is positioned in the middle as a "better" line.
"Warehousing for The Estate Collection is now in Taylorsville rather than in High Point," Calcagne said. "This allows us to mix Craftmaster with The Estate Collection, as well as Better Homes & Gardens, on one truck."
The High Point warehouse is now dedicated to Universal case goods only.
Under the new arrangement, Trae Stokes is vice president of sales for Better Homes & Gardens by Universal and The Estate Collection by Craftmaster. He was director of marketing for Craftmaster.
Tom Little continues as vice president of sales and marketing for Craftmaster.
