Furniture Brands International, (FRA:FBN1) Quality Rank

Furniture Brands International, Inc., is a Delaware corporation, which was organized in 1921 as a holding company. The Company is engaged in designing, manufacturing, sourcing and retailing of home furnishings. It markets products through a wide range of channels, including its own Thomasville retail stores and through interior designers, multi-line/independent retailers and mass merchant stores. Its portfolio includes Thomasville, Broyhill, Lane, Drexel Heritage, Henredon, Pearson, Hickory Chair, Lane Venture, Maitland-Smith and La Barge. Through these brands, the Company offers case goods, consisting of bedroom, dining room, and living room wood furniture; stationary upholstery products, consisting of sofas, loveseats, sectionals, and chairs; motion upholstered furniture, consisting of recliners and sleep sofas; occasional furniture, consisting of wood, metal and glass tables, accent pieces, home entertainment centers, and home office furniture; and decorative accessories and accent pieces. The Company's brands are featured in every price and product category in the residential furniture industry. Each of its brands targets specific customers in relation to style and price point. The raw materials used in manufacturing its products include lumber, veneers, plywood, fiberboard, particleboard, steel, paper, hardware, adhesives, finishing materials, glass, mirrored glass, fabrics, leathers, metals, stone, synthetics and upholstered filling material. The Company's products compete against domestic manufacturers, importers, and foreign manufacturers entering the United States market; as well as increased direct importing by some larger retailers. Its competitors include: Ashley Furniture Industries, Inc.; La-Z-Boy Incorporated; Ethan Allen Interiors Inc., and many other home furnishings retailers and manufacturers. The elements of competition include price, style, quality, service, brand and marketing.