Western Australian furniture manufacturer judged nation's best
10/11/04
A Western Australian fine furniture manufacturer has received top honours at the Australian Furniture Industry Association Awards.
After being named Western Australia's 'Best of Best' for its 'Majestic Dining Suite', Just Jarrah of Armadale progressed to also claim the overall 2004 national title.
Two other WA companies also received national recognition at the weekend awards which celebrate excellence within the various sectors of the WA and Australian furniture and furnishing industry.
Australis Furniture was judged the national winner in the category of 'Excellence in Bedroom Furniture'. The Maddington-based company has only recently diversified into this category and is now distributing and selling bedroom furniture throughout Australia.
Another local designer and manufacturer, Glen Holst Furniture of Bridgetown, was named the national winner for 'Excellence in Commercial Furniture'.
The rising stars of the industry were also recognised with two students, Edward Tran from the University of Western Australia and Scott Maloney of the Forest Heritage Centre, both receiving the 'Student Design' Award in the WA category.
Forestry Minister Kim Chance said this year's awards attracted more than 200 local entries and more than 1000 national entries which showcased the depth and quality of the furniture industry.
"It was particularly pleasing to see that our State awards winners represented the spectrum of local furniture manufacturers," Mr Chance said.
"The Gallop Government has committed to delivering a secure and sustainable volume of native hardwood to the sawmilling industry that will, in turn, be used in the main by local manufacturers.
"The completion of the State's Forest Management Plan and associated jarrah allocation process have delivered the security required by the industry and the results we have seen from the awards indicates we are on the right track."
The Minister said the Government's commitment was further demonstrated this week by the announcement of a $4million assistance program.
"The Gallop Government has delivered four balanced budgets in four years and this strong financial management has enabled us to invest more than $28million in job creation initiatives as a part of our Protecting our Old Growth Forests package," he said.
"This latest program provides further impetus for investment to develop new opportunities and create additional employment by value adding native hardwood regrowth and plantation sawn timber through manufacturing or processing."
Minister's office: 9213 6700
AUSTRALIAN FURNITURE OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2004
CATEGORY ONE Excellence in Furniture using Australian Native TimberHighly Commended: Pfitzner Furniture for the 'Chess Collection'.
Winner: Just Jarrah for the 'Majestic Dining Suite'.
CATEGORY TWO Excellence in Furniture using Australian Plantation Timber
Winner: Paragon Furniture for the 'Chess Setting'.
CATEGORY THREE Excellence in Furniture using Leather
Highly Commended: Obelli Design Studio for the 'Plasma Series'.
Winner: King Furniture for the 'Strata Sofa'.
CATEGORY FOUR Excellence in Furniture using Fabric
Winner: Lounge Innovation for the 'Rialto' modular setting.
CATEGORY FIVE Excellence in a Sleep Set (Mattress and Base)
Highly Commended: Springwall (Stuarts House of Bedding) for the 'Golden Posture'.
Winner: Chiropedic Bedding for the 'Designers Touch'.
CATEGORY SIX Excellence in Dining Furniture (Table and Chairs)
Highly Commended: Just Jarrah for the 'Majestic Dining Suite'.
Winner: Pfitzner Furniture for the 'Chess Collection'.
CATEGORY SEVEN Excellence in Bedroom Furniture
Winner: Australis Furniture for the 'Jasper Setting'.
CATEGORY EIGHT Excellence in Furniture using Reconstituted Timber Panel Veneer:
Winner: Silver Lynx Furniture for the 'Soiree Suite'.
Winner: International Cabinets for the 'Marshall Residence'.
Paint:
Winner: International Cabinets for the 'D'Opera Residence'.
Melamine:
Winner: Horn Australia for the 'Hide and Seek'.
CATEGORY NINE Excellence in Commercial Furniture
Seating (fixed and height adjustable)
Winner: Commercial Seating Systems for the 'Laguna Armchair'.
Desking and storage systems:
Winner: Glen Holst Furniture for the 'Azure Capita'.
CATEGORY TEN Excellence in Export
Winner: Horn Australia.
CATEGORY ELEVEN Supplier of the Year
Winner: Wortley Group.
CATEGORY TWELVE BEST OF THE BEST
Runner up: Pfitzner Furniture
Winner: Just Jarrah for the 'Majestic Dining Suite'.
WESTERN AUSTRALIAN FURNITURE OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2004
Clearwood
Highly commended: The Hob Group for the boardroom table at the convention centre.
Winner: Just Jarrah for the 'Majestic Dining Suite'.
Featurewood
Winner: Jamel House of Fine Furniture for the 'Iluka Dining Suite'.
Excellence in Furniture using Plantation Timber
Winner: B & G Furniture for the 'Rhapsody'.
Excellence in Furniture using Leather
Highly Commended: Melfi Designs for the 'Sirus Day Bed'.
Winner: Obelli Design Studio for the 'Plazma Series'.
Excellence in Furniture using Fabric
Winner: Lounge Innovation for the 'Rialto' modular setting.
Excellence in a Sleep Set (Mattress and Base)
Highly Commended: Thomas Peacock and Sons for 'Sensual Night'.
Winner: 'Golden Posture' by Springwall (Stuarts House of Bedding).
Excellence in Dining Furniture (Tables and Chairs)
Winner: Just Jarrah for the 'Majestic Dining Suite'.
Excellence in Bedroom Furniture
Highly commended: International Cabinets for the 'Marshal Residence'.
Winner: Australis Furniture for the 'Jasper Suite'.
Excellence in Furniture using Reconstituted Timber Panel
Veneer Finish
Highly Commended: International Cabinets for the dining table at the 'Marshalls Residence'.
Highly Commended: Monique Tippet and Michael Thompson for the 'Serpentine Room' boardroom table.
Winner: International Cabinets for the 'Minnitti Residence'.
Melamine Finish
Winner: Western Cabinets for the 'Anton Mulders kitchen'.
Excellence in Commercial Furniture
Interior Fitout:
Highly Commended: International Cabinets
Winner: Glen Holst Furniture/Sympari Furniture
Furniture (seating, desking and storage):
Winner: Glen Holst Furniture.
Excellence in Export
Highly Commended: Jamel House of Fine Furniture
Winner: Antry
Supplier of the Year
Winner: Warwick Fabrics
Excellence in Built-in Furniture
Winner: (New Residence) International Cabinets 'D'Opera Residence'.
Highly Commended: (Renovation) Western Cabinets 'Howell Residence'.
Winner: (Renovation) Western Cabinets 'Huang Residence'.
Excellence in Furniture using Exotic Timber (non indigenous timbers)
Highly Commended: Glen Holst Furniture 'Azure Capital'.
Highly Commended: Western Cabinets for the 'Huang Residence'.
Winner: International Cabinets for the 'Marshall Residence'.
Excellence in Fine Timber Crafted Furniture
(Using at least 50 per cent native timber species).
Highly Commended: Just Jarrah for the 'Majestic Dining Suite'.
Winner: Jarrah World for the 'Switched on Entertainment Unit'.
Student Design Award
Highly Commended: Shane Moyle from Central TAFE
Winner: Edward Tran of UWA for the '1.618 table'.
Winner: Scott Maloney of the Forest Heritage Centre for the 'studio chair'.
BEST OF THE BEST
Winner: International Cabinets for the 'Marshall Residence'.
Winner: Just Jarrah for the 'Majestic Dining Suite'.
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