Intercontinental bringing youth for American debut

By Thomas Russell -- Kids Today, 2/1/2006

The Pickwick youth collection by Intercontinental Furniture Inds. features a Brazilian hardwood species called caixeta (pronounced casheta). It is shown here in a cherry finish.

LAS VEGAS-- A major Brazilian case goods manufacturer will have some youth furniture as part of its first showing in the United States here at market.

The product lineup from Intercontinental Furniture includes the Pickwick youth collection, which has a bunk bed with guardrails and ladder, a seven-drawer dresser, mirror and nightstand combo for $1,499 retail. Available in a cherry finish, it is made from a native hardwood species called caixeta (pronounced casheta).

Additional items in the group include a computer desk and hutch with slide-out keyboard tray, a desk chair, and a chest and a bookcase combination.

It also has a solid pine, loft-style groupcalled Pine Classics that retails for $499. This price includes the upper and lower bunk and the guardrail and ladder. Additional pieces such as desks, dressers and bookcases are sold separately.

The company’s 500,000-square-foot factory, the largest in Brazil, has been running the aforementioned loft group for several years. The one on display here has some design changes aimed at lowering the cost, said John Liddy, a marketing consultant for Intercontinental.

The factory was previously owned by Ashley Furniture. Pado, a group that owns Intercontinental, purchased the factory from Ashley last fall for an undisclosed price.

The factory still does business with Ashley, but is seeking additional U.S. customers to fill its remaining capacity. It currently ships about 100 containers a month, about half its current capacity.

In addition to the youth bedroom products, the company is also marketing four adult bedroom groups here this market.

“Our design and engineering staff have produced some beautiful and exciting merchandise, and combined with our mixed container program, we should be able to satisfy the larger retail chains as well as medium and smaller retailers who are looking for these solid wood values,” said Intercontinental President Alessandro Franco.

Intercontinental is showing in space 64474 at Mandalay Bay. As part of its presentation, the showroom will be serving complimentary Brazilian coffee.