SHOW REVIEW
Forty One gears up for a Fab Fall
We preview the new faces, new product and all round happenings to be found at this Octobers New York Tabletop Show this autumn
T
his October that New York Tabletop Show takes its usual slot for the second show of the year, once again hosting the best in Tabletop brands in one of the most vibrant and buzzing cities on the planet.
The focus will of course, fall on the Forty One Madison Building, which once again for this show has stepped up its game to bring you the best offerings from the Tabletop market. This time round the building boasts six new permanent showrooms that will open their doors for the fi rst time this fall. This follows the nine additions welcomed to the building earlier this year in spring. Forty One Madison’s Senior Vice President and Director Laurie Burns says: “This is an indicator of the industry’s remarkable resilience, renowned vitality and an ever-widening fi eld of global players.” Certainly the international feel of the show is refl ected in some of the new faces to the building, including brands from Australia, Denmark and Turkey. In addition to the new faces, existing tenants
are brushing up their look for the show this time round with some exiting showroom reshuffl es and re-vamps. Portmeirion, the venerable British-based brand and a long-time Forty One Madison anchor, is relocating to the 19th fl oor. It is a move into 9,000 square feet of space that represents a 50 percent increase over its previous showroom, and it was precipitated largely by the recent acquisition of Royal Worcester and Spode plus its representation of Pimpernel. Uniting these brands under one roof has created an obvious powerhouse of products that are steeped in tradition and iconic in stature. But, it also created, according to Lawrence Bryan, chief executive and president in the U.S. the challenge to fi nd suitable quarters for the extensive assortment and range. That was easily answered by looking no further than a few fl oors below.
“Forty One Madison is the only location that
could provide us with the support and space for The Portmeirion Group to continue expansion
plans that are pinned upon our largest worldwide market, the USA,” said Bryan. “We are planning aggressive growth for the next few years as we capitalize on the Spode and Royal Worcester acquisition. The retailers of America recognize Forty One Madison as the centre of the wholesale industry, and so do we.” Also presenting its introductions in larger quarters will be BIA Cordon Bleu on the 3rd Floor. According to owner Paul Baughman, the company is doubling the space for its housewares line. The larger 3,000-square-foot showroom will incorporate the addition of two distinctive brands—Hathaway Road and Balvery Designs. For BIA, it’s been an ongoing year of expansion since the company also recently enlarged the adjacent showroom it occupies to separately house prestige French tableware brands Phillippe Deshoulieres, Capdeco and Royal Limoges. ARDA Glassware, from Turkey, is making its debut and planting its North American roots at Forty One Madison on the 15th fl oor with a 1,000 square foot showroom. The company’s decorative glass plates and other tableware, accessories and gifts refl ect a modern aesthetic yet also a respect and reverence for the artistry of ancient glassmaking. On the 7th fl oor, Salt & Pepper arrives
from Australia bringing contemporary lifestyle designs that you can cook with, eat with and decorate with. Certain to stir quite a buzz, much like it has in all of its worldwide showings, this emerging industry star is being distributed in North America by Barmann LLC, a joint venture between Canada’s Albert Mann Marketing and Australia’s Bambis. Stelton is establishing a U.S. beachhead at Forty One Madison on the 16th fl oor with a 1,100 square-foot showroom opening. One of Denmark’s great design brands of kitchenware and housewares, Stelton is probably best known for its classic, sleek and colourful vacuum thermal carafe. But, there’s way more to it’s offering, including the recent introduction of a new collection with fashion designer Paul Smith. “We see Forty One Madison as a good
platform for our market strategy for Stelton, as we reach out to high end tabletop and gift retailers in the U.S. and Canada,” said Christian Ernemann, the company’s export director. Additionally, Burns reported that eight companies renewed their leases, accounting for another 14,000 square feet. This group included Gourmet Settings, Homer Laughlin China Co., Lifetime Brands, Over and Back, Inc., Riedel Crystal, Royal Bohemia Crystal, Ten Strawberry Street and Waechtersbach. “These additions, expansions and renewals— coupled with the fact that several of our major Forty One Madison vendors will be introducing signifi cant new collections—can only be construed as a positive sign and are a testament to the fact that Forty One Madison is the center of this great industry,” said Burns. “We’re looking forward to hosting a Fall Tabletop Market that will be fi lled with impressive merchandise options for serious buyers from all corners of the world.”
Events and happenings at 41 this Fall:
Forty One Madison has lined up a full schedule benefi ting both buyers and manufacturers. • Not-to-be missed is the Wednesday, October 13th breakfast seminar, ‘New Womenomics: What Women Want & How To Reach Them, Teach Them & Speak Their Language’.
• House Beautiful editors will transform the Forty One Madison lobby with engaging table settings that are guided by an “entertaining” theme echoing the pages of the upcoming November issue.
• Bridal Guide returns as host of the Caffé on Level A, where they will be serving up light treats refl ecting a Southern Hospitality theme.
www.41madison.com
36 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
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