Somers Furniture-Convention Furniture Rental, Special Event Furniture Rental, Manufacturer of Furniture at Somers Furniture

Somers Convention Furniture Rental, Inc. and Somers Furniture, Inc. originally began operating as a commercial rental entity with a particular emphasis on targeting the convention business, show contractors, exhibit houses, hotels and companies requiring short-term furniture rental. Typical merchandise included desks, sofas, chairs, coffee tables, end tables and small conference tables with chairs and the delivery/pick-up of these items.

Through Debbi Somers’ knowledge of what was lacking in the industry and her ambition, she turned a fledgling company into a viable competitor in the local commercial furniture rental business. After only two years in business, Somers controlled nearly 40% of the local convention furniture rental market and gained an additional market share by negotiating an exclusive service contract with a national exhibit house.

Over the years, Ms. Somers has recognized the business is not one of simply delivering and picking up furniture; she understands efficiency is the key element. To this end, she has developed innovative procedures, which makes her company different from others offering the same product:
• Company operates on double shifts during conventions providing exhibitors with extended service hours which allows for quick pick-up and deliveries on last minute change orders and/or furniture repairs,
• On site repair shop minimizes return time of pieces to the convention floor. In addition, the staff performs maintenance work on inventory during down time to reduce outside labor costs.
• Sorting the furniture at the warehouse and loading delivery trucks by exhibit booth reduces delivery time, increases accuracy, and reduces union labor expense for the exhibitors.
• Stock is cleaned, strapped, wrapped and sorted upon return to the warehouse, speeding response time on future orders, when the warehouse is the busiest. This procedure gives the appearance of being new to the exhibitor, increasing customer satisfaction.
• Brochures name merchandise by “what it is” rather than a given name thus lessening confusion for the exhibitor and mistakes at the warehouse and show site.

Due to adversities along the way and to respond to fluctuations in the economy, there have been modifications to the original business model. The company still does the core business for which it is known, but it has expanded the business to the special events and hotel industry and has even begun manufacturing custom lines of furniture for use in local night clubs and hotel pools. The manufacturing segment of the company now comprises nearly half the total revenues.

Somers Furniture continues to service the convention industry and will continue to do so since they have established a loyal clientele with repeat business. They also intend to further cultivate the hotel business, adjusting their product as the market demands. Ms. Somers feels this is the way to stay ahead of the competition, which will allow the company to continue operating at a profit. In addition, these two market segments will allow diversification of the revenue stream so as to protect the company from the effects of a drop in one specific market.