By Lauren Heist
It wasn't just the free coffee that was energizing the attendees and exhibitors who were walking the trade show floor of the Closets & Home Organization Conference & Expo on Thursday. Despite the financial struggles that many manufacturers, suppliers, distributors and home organization professionals are facing these days, many at the trade show seemed excited at being amongst their peers -- and checking out lots of cool gadgets on display.
We walked the tradeshow floor meeting with lots of the attendees and exhibitors to ask them what they're facing these days and what the bright spots are in their businesses.
Attendees
Name: Larry Yeager
Title: Owner
Company: Space Creations, Vinton, IA
How the economy has affected business: Yeager says business in rural Iowa is suffering, but he helps out with his wife's business and does some consulting work for the auto industry to make up the slack. "The average ticket price (of each project) has gone up. So even though I'm doing fewer projects, I'm still doing OK."
What's hot now: "One of the things I've noticied is a little more interest in garage organizations."
Name: Kristen Dooley
Title: Designer Organizer
Company: Kristen Dooley, St. Charles, IL
How the economy has affected business: Dooley says clients hire her to help get them organized, so her business isn't that tied to the housing market. "From an organizational standpoint, it hasn't changed ... but budgets are smaller."
What's hot now: "Entryways -- really changing it from a closet or hallway entrance to individual cubby holes."
Name: Kim Hambrock and Pat Redenbarger
Title: Closet Designer and President and Owner
Company: Kitchens and Interiors, Terre Haute, IN
How the economy has affected business: "(Instead of redoing an entire kitchen), people are wanting to do more upgrades, so they might do new countertops or new hardware or add crown moulding. And a lot of them, if they can't afford a whole kitchen, are redoing their bathrooms," Pat Redenbarger says.
What's hot now: "We introduced closets to the business about a year ago (and it's been successful)," Kim Hambrock says.
Name: Yehuda Flohr
Title: Owner
Company: Crazy Closets, Monsey, NY
How the economy has affected business: Flohr says the economy hasn't slowed his business at all. He says he continues to get most of his business from referrals from happy customers. "There's always people who have money; you just have to find them."
What's hot now: Master bedroom closets. "For most people they have very tight space, and they just want to maximize their space."
Name: Richard Schulman
Title: Owner
Company: White Rabbit, Deerfield, IL
How the economy has affected business: Schulman says his business, which is solely focused on garages and basements, has been severly hit by the recession. "People have lived with a crappy garage for 10 years, so they'll live with it for another two years. I do all kinds of things in terms of pricing (to keep my staff working). I might not make as much, but my people will still be with me."
Exhibitors
Name: Tim Woolery
Title: Vice President Direct Sales
Company: Gemini Coatings
What they're talking about at the show: The Stain Blending Station, which allows custom cabinetmakers to mix their own finishes in small batches in a variety of colors, rather than ordering entire gallons of one color at a time. Woolery says the new system reduces hazardous waste and speeds up the process for cabinetmakers who can get samples to their clients faster. "Now all of a sudden you're matching finishes in minutes instead of two days from now."
Name: Brian Harnett
Title: Distributor
Company: Sidelines, Inc.
What they're talking about at the show: Harnett pointed out Sidelines' new titlt down hampers that have flap stays that can be linked up to 32 mm systems instead of having to be specially installed and a wine rack that can fit into a 14-inch deep system. But he said the best new product is The Premiere Tie or Belt Rack, which can be pulled out of the side of a closet and turned at a 90 degree angle. "It completely pulls around so you have complete access to it. People love things that swivel and turn around."
Name: Steve Harmon
Title: President, CEO
Company: Drawer Connection
What they're talking about at the show: Harmon says drawers are a commodity that is often sold strictly on price and personal connection with the client. He says they've kept their prices the same for the past 12 years, and he comes to the show to maintain those all important personal relationships. "The number one thing that separates us from other people is our service," Harmon says. "(I come to the show because) I like to put faces with names. We like to have that connection with current customers."
Name: John Runyan
Title: Product Manager
Company: Hafele
What they're talking about at the show: Hafele is excited about its new Omni Track system, which is made of up strips of aluminum track that can be installed along a wall and different tools and equipment can be hung off of the strips on hooks. Runyan said the product is great for customers because it only comes in one finish, so you don't have to order a lot of different kinds of products and can keep inventory low. And, he says, it's good for clients wanting to get into the garage organization business. "If you're in the home doing organizing, why not do the garage, too?"
Name: Wade Rector
Title: Territory Manager
Company: ORG
What they're talking about at the show: "We're seeing a big trend in dark finishes, dark mocha or chocolate," Rector says or ORG's high-end custom cabinet solutions. Rector says the three biggest growth areas for home organization are mudrooms and entryways, garage cabinets and entertainment centers. "People have flat-screen TVs today that are a different shape and they need more accessories to accommodate that," he says.
