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NEWS Suppliers
Highgate family launches new bed company New bed company Matza Sleep Technology has been formed by Asif Ayub – son of Highgate Beds founder Mohammed Ayub – and his three brothers Mazhar, Tahir and Zahid. Matza is based at the family’s former Sleepmode premises in Dewsbury. “Matza is a family business and my brothers are all involved,” says Asif. “Bedmaking is in our blood and, as the next generation, we felt there was an opportunity to do for the contemporary bed market what Highgate has done so well for the traditional market over the past four decades.” Matza already supplies white label beds and bedroom accessories to international retailers, smaller independents and contract clients.Recently it also introduced its own brand, including nine mattresses incorporating the company’s own innovations, Zero Gravity foam and its own fibre. Matza, which trades separately from Highgate Beds, operates its own foam conversion and CNC routing from its 60,000ft2 production facility in West Yorkshire.
New agents at Serene
Jim Sloan
Heritage Furniture appoints new agents Blackburn-based cabinet furniture supplier Heritage Furniture has appointed two sales agents ahead of the unveiling of its new brand identity at next year’s January Furniture Show. Stephen Pates, who joined the company in March, has been tasked with covering East Anglia and North London. He says: “I’m looking forward to establishing continued growth and brand awareness with existing and new product launches planned for the coming year, with retailers old and new, at this exciting time in Heritage’s continued development.” Karen Rowley joins to cover Wales and the Borders. Karen, through her Furniturebox sales agency, has committed to developing the Heritage brand and portfolio, and says: “With the positive response from retailers throughout the area to Earlswood Oak – the
Steven Pates
Karen Rowley
first of the new phase of Heritage’s planned new product offer – I really look forward to the January Furniture Show, where their inspired new ranges will be on show for the first time. “It’s great to be involved with a company that is not only committed to delivering great value and service but also distinctive, stylish and individual products.”
Ercol’s new non-executive director Ercol has appointed Sophie Mirman a nonexecutive director on the board of Ercol Holdings. Sophie’s career started in 1974 in the typing pool of Marks & Spencer. She was quickly promoted to work for Lord Sieff, the then chairman, before joining the retailer’s management training scheme. In 1981, Sophie started Tie Rack, working for a group of financial investors. It was here that she met her husband, Richard, and the pair left to found Sock Shop in 1983, taking the company public in 1987. In 1988, she received the prestigious Veuve Clicquot Businesswoman of the Year Award, as well as the Marketing Woman of the Year Award. The late 1980s saw Sock Shop go into
administration. In 1990, she received the Motivator of the Year Award. In 1989, inspired by their daughter Natasha and son William, the couple launched Trotters, a chain of childrenswear shops selling clothes, shoes, toys, books, with a hairdressing salon in each shop. They still run the company, and their eldest daughter recently joined the firm as finance director. Edward Tadros, Ercol’s chairman, says: “I am delighted that Sophie is joining our board. She brings with her valuable experience of retail and marketing, both areas that are highly relevant to the continuing growth of Ercol.”
Rob King
Serene has announced the appointment of two new agents. Jim Sloan will represent Serene Living in Eire and Northern Ireland, expanding the reach of the company’s range of furniture and recliners. Jim set up AJ Furniture Agencies in 2013 following time spent in the import and supply of upholstery, cabinet and bedding to key furniture stores throughout Ireland, and brings over 26 years’ sales experience to the role. Rob King has been appointed to represent Serene Beds and Serene Living in London north of the Thames, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. Rob has been in the industry for almost 20 years, with time spent in key positions at several major name brands where he worked in the sales and supply of bedding and furniture.
New MD appointed at Tempur UK After 24 years as MD of Tempur UK, Jacqui Stefanov has decided to leave the company due to personal circumstances, to be replaced by the company’s former commercial director, Tobin James, with immediate effect. Tobin has worked closely with Jacqui for the past five years. Under Jacqui’s leadership, Tempur UK has become a well-known consumer brand and a leading company in the UK furniture industry. She comments: “I have had a fantastic time over the past 24 years and loved working with our customers and staff. I have made some incredible relationships during this time and I will miss everyone. I am delighted that Tobin has been appointed as MD and I can’t think of a better person, along with the superb management team, to take the
Tobin James
company into a new era.” Tobin comments: “I am honoured to be appointed MD of Tempur UK. I have enjoyed working with Jacqui immensely and she is one of the greats of the UK furniture industry. I am looking forward to working with our Tempur retailers and the UK team in planning our 2016 product launch and new marketing campaign.”
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