Wherever I go in the world AlumiFANS ask about Emeco’s indestructible chairs. Well I just heard a new fact that I want you to know – Emeco’s returns are just 2% of our total shipments. And did you know that those chairs, and all the scrap from our manufacturing are recycled – back into world class Emeco products.



Warsaw to Moscow: Vodka All Around

I love Warsaw in the fall, and, to satisfy my Bartok cravings, I always try to attend the “Warsaw Autumn” contemporary music festival. Early this month, I took the Emeco jet to Warsaw to listen to music, which was heavenly as always, but actually I was more bowled over by the new, spectacular Zlote Tarasy “Golden Terraces” shopping mall! The cascading terraces cover two plazas, and the center includes beautiful shops and entertainment. In the Multikino cinema is a VIP lounge with Emeco Hudson chairs!

After a mere 3 days in Warsaw, I flew to Moscow to meet the Emeco representative for Eastern Europe, Kristina McLaughlin, and to see some gorgeous Emeco installations. Kristina’s client, Eugeniv, owns ROOM, the most exclusive shop in Moscow – and a new Emeco dealer. Eugeniv is a dedicated Starck fan – so besides his Stark stocked store, he also owns a Starck designed restaurant BON ($75 vodkas anyone?) and a new Starck designed apartment.

Our representative Kristina lives half the year in St. Petersburg, and half in the US. After working in design and representing Italian companies she came to study in Chicago, met her (Irish American) husband, and will soon add a new baby to the picture. Kristina says that there is a lot of business in Moscow, and Muscovites appreciate luxury, name brands and elegant furniture. We look forward to more sales, beautiful projects and baby photos from Kristina!



Barbara Builds the Biz, Baby

After jetting to Warsaw and Moscow, I was ready for a rest and some home cookin’ back in Hanover at Emeco World Headquarters. Everyone knows “Barb” or Barbara Foulk, the golden voice of Emeco’s phone system and government sales person for 35 years. Barb and I had subs at Dutch’s Hoagie House (Five Stars in the Pennysaver) near the plant and she regaled me with some Emeco history.

Barb was the one and only Emeco government sales person in 1973. At that time, the GSA and Navy were Emeco’s biggest customers, and the large orders “renewed themselves” and were shipped via rail cars to giant depots. Then the US government closed the giant warehouses, and orders were shipped to end user sites. With the increased shipment costs, government sales shrunk through the 80’s and 90’s.

Two years ago, Dennis Tangen and Barb pulled out the old government rolodex and dusted it off, just in time to bid on some large government contracts. In the past year alone, Barb, along with Emeco’s sales force, has doubled Emeco’s government business The Emeco factory has just finished 780 1011 Navy chairs for a new Navy ship. Barbara thinks the time is right for government purchases of our indestructible chairs and she is at work right now, talking to customers and maybe to you if you call (dial 0 for Barb).

Spanning the Globe for AlumiNEWS, Eirual Nosdam