As 2007 comes to a close, we, at David Francis, wanted to reflect on the past year’s accomplishments and highlight some things to look forward to in 2008.
At a time when overall furniture orders have continued to decline and many manufacturers have suffered layoffs and bankruptcies, we are happy to report that David Francis is strong. We are strengthening our current client base and achieving more name recognition among high-end interior designers and we feel that 2008 will result in continued growth.
New Introductions
It’s all about the furniture! Each year, our design direction continues to evolve and we get more and more excited about the new items we are introducing. 2008 is definitely no exception! For the first time ever, David Francis is offering a full line of leather lounge seating as well as several chairs with interior upholstery. I am sure you will agree that these new offerings are something out of the ordinary and allow the end user to make a statement.
David Francis Contract
Our biggest news in 2007 was the launch of David Francis’ contract Division. Under the direction of Catherine Swett, this division is busy soliciting commercial projects and responding to RFPs for furnishings in resorts, hotels, restaurants, private clubs, etc. In 2008, we will be exhibiting at HD Expo in Las Vegas (May) and HD Boutique in Miami (September). While expanding into the contract realm, we are staying true to our commitment to quality and exclusive design. This means we are not dummying down our products for use in commercial applications. Instead, we are bringing luxury to the contract world.
Las Vegas Market
In January and July 2007, we showed at Las Vegas Market in our permanent showroom in the newly-opened Building B. We had steady traffic through our showroom, talked to qualified leads and introduced our line to new customers. We look forward to two more successful markets in 2008.
Pinnacle Award
Our Manhattan Lounge Chair was nominated for a Pinnacle Design Award in 2007. We traveled to High Point in October to attend the awards dinner, but alas, did not win. Of course, it was an honor to be recognized. Because the Manhattan Lounge Chair has gotten such fantastic response, we have introduced a Manhattan Barstool for 2008!
Publicity
2007 was a great year for publicity. Highlights included products placed in Veranda, House Beautiful and Architectural Digest. In January 2008, our Heirloom Dining Table will be featured in an episode of Divine Design with Candice Olsen!
2008 Catalog & Website
In January, look for our 2008 catalog with a fresher, new format. Note that our catalog will now run on a January-to-January cycle. We will also be launching a redesigned and more user-friendly website in March 2008.
Lastly, I would like to extend a thank you to thank our clients, showrooms and rep that have contributed to our continued success. We truly consider all of you part of the David Francis family. Have a wonderful holiday…and let’s make 2008 our best year yet!
Regards,
David