Furniture asset management—extend the useful life of your furniture assets

Hotel & Motel Management, April 19, 2004

Even though the economy is in the very early stages of recovery, hoteliers nationwide are still being cost-conscious regarding property renovation investments. According to the Hospitality Research Group and the Torto Wheaton Research, the hospitality market still remains sensitive to "event risks", which are those events that create fear and uncertainty in the average traveler, i.e. the instability of Iraq and the United States' involvement. Not only do hotels lose money when they fall short of selling enough rooms, but they also lose money when those absent guests aren't spending money in the restaurants and lounges on the hotel's property. However, as the economy continues to rebound and hotel occupancies increase, management will need to spend more on labor to properly service those guests and nurture the newly regained optimism in today's traveler ... leaving less and less money for other critical expenses.

The Refinishing Touch offers a solution for today's hotel industry renovation needs. Since 1977, TRT has successfully restored more than 1.3 million rooms of furniture across the country. Its unique waterborne techniques are environmentally friendly and have been utilized by some of the country's largest and most prestigious hotels, military bases, and even the executive office of the President of the United States. Coupled with the significant cost savings, and you have a one-of-a-kind company that provides services that are beneficial to every hotel in the nation.

Benefits of The Refinishing Touch

* On-site operations provide practically no downtime. TRT's refinishing and upholstery craftsmen bring all necessary supplies to complete the job right on the hotel property. There is no costly room downtime or worrying about furniture getting nicked or scratched while furniture is being transported.

* Environmentally friendly refinishing techniques are something totally unique to TRT. All of its finishes are waterborne, non-toxic and non-flammable, allowing for clean, on-site refinishing and upholstery and a safe working environment for guests and employees alike. "This exclusive and 'green' refinishing process is so friendly that rooms started in the morning can be occupied that evening," says company President Mario Insenga.

TRT also takes great pride in providing a service that allows hotels to restore their furniture assets while saving our depleting forests in the process. Billions of trees are killed each day to manufacture new furniture. Why buy new when you can refinish? That's why TRT was awarded the prestigious General Services Administration 2000 Evergreen Award for innovative, environmentally friendly practices.

* Cost efficiency is what they strive to create for their clients. The majority of the properties completed by TRT have enjoyed cost savings of up to 80 percent.

The financial and logistical benefits that are offered by TRT are unsurpassed. TRT is the missing piece to the hospitality industry's budget puzzle.

"Properties across the nation have all taken advantage of TRT's services," says Insenga. Those properties include Hilton Garden Inn--Albany, N.Y.; Hilton--NE Atlanta; Hyatt Regency--Denver; St. Louis; Marriott--Trumbull, Conn.; and The Fairmont Orchid--Waikola, Hawaii.

"With the shrinking budgets and ever-increasing demands for room renovations, owners and managers are seeking a way to get a greater return on investment and extension of the life expectancy for hotel furniture while keeping their FF&E reserves in the bank," explains Insenga.

TRT has provided this solution for the past 26 years. Travelers today are looking for hotel rooms with more of an "at home" feel in order to ease their anxiety. This is why keeping and preserving a hotel's traditional style case goods provides the guest a room ambiance they desire. This can all be achieved while the furniture stays in the room and allows for less cost to your bottom line.

Global Furniture Asset Management

TRT also provides an asset management program to further assist owners with their properties' valuable furniture assets. Global Furniture Asset Management is a comprehensive management tool that allows for long-term budgeting and fund programming. By managing inventories, advising in fulfillment strategies and performing on-site refinishing and upholstery, we recover your initial furniture investment.

"Our sustainability program is customized to your specific needs; providing cost-efficiency analysis, inventory control applications and proven reutilization techniques," Insenga says.

TRT provides diverse solutions to any hotel's furniture management problems. With its substantial financial and logistical benefits, TRT is confident that with every job it completes, another general manager's or owner's expectations will be exceeded.

The next time the thought of expensive furniture replacement arises, think again and give The Refinishing Touch an opportunity to see how it can help. For information, call 800-523-9448 or visit www.therefinishingtouch.com.