I can't speak to the quality of that particular brand however, I have had some experience with Rubins (in Madison). As someone who worked in the industry I heard horror stories about their customer service and their business practices. In general the old saying "you get what you pay for" is true, so if the price seems to be too good to be true there is probably a reason. I hope that this helps!

No experience, but here are some things to read:

Their site:
http://www.htlinternational.com/index.html

Recent article (last month):
http://www.spring.gov.sg/et/2008_05/index3.html

"Last year, HTL's sales were S$690 million. The company exports to 40 countries with 65% of exports going to Europe, 20% to the Asia-Pacific, and 15% to the USA. Their offices are dotted around the globe in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Australia, UK, Germany and USA, with agents and representatives in the Benelux, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Switzerland and Korea.

What's the secret of HTL's success? HTL never forgets these four very simple factors: "Product and customer focus, our relationships with our partners and customers, the quality and reliability, and competitive pricing of all our products, and effective cost management," Mr Por said. "

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Stock report:
http://www.wallstraits.com/IntelliSort/stockreport.php?code=H64

More financial information:
http://finance.google.com/finance?q=SIN:H64

A case study on HTL (pdf file):
http://www.designsingapore.org/Case%20Studies/ABCC-2006-002_HTL.pdf

Why would anyone ever buy furniture from China?

There's lots of good quality/affordable/stylish furniture made right here in North America.

bepsf, got links? I have seen a lot of magic wand waving on this site, whereby people post "I saw the same thing at such and such" and it's not the same at all.

I do that too, I THINK I saw the same thing, and when I compare them side by side, they aren't at all similar. Hahaha!

Anyway, posting links to favorite or found stateside furniture makers would be useful for a lot of people. And it saves a lot of time. Because if you already know of a dozen great furniture makers in the U.S., you can post them so everyone else doesn't have to go through searching to try to find a place.

Here's one I found:
http://www.americanleather.com/Products/

And an article:
http://www.dynamist.com/articles-speeches/opeds/amleather.html

" In January 2004, American Leather opened a $12 million factory and headquarters in the open countryside about 15 miles southwest of downtown Dallas. The plant's current footprint can handle about $100 million in annual production, and it's built for easy expansion to the open acreage behind it. Mr. Chandra expects to need the extra space by 2007 or 2008.

The company's continuing success comes as the once-complacent industry struggles to survive the shock of low-cost competition from huge new plants in China. Three years ago, a standard leather sofa sold for around $1,299 at a mid-range retailer like Rooms To Go. Today, that sofa would sell for $999, while discounters like Wal-Mart and Costco offer even cheaper ones. "There is no bottom" to the prices, says Mr. Chandra.

Although American Leather's founders never expected furniture prices to drop so far, the company's nimble manufacturing systems--and its dedication to continuous innovation--have given it a sustained competitive edge. An American Leather sofa still commands a premium price of $2,499."

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bepsf:
truthfully (as a buyer in shelter retail), it is really difficult to purchase products that are made completely in the states. american leather products may be upholstered in the states, but where do they source the frames, legs, casters, the leather itself?

made in china doesn't mean bad quality. many many luxury brands manufacture in china (and the philippines); the list would really surprise most people. basically, every company is driven by the bottom line, and goods out of china/asia are very competitively priced.

china is really just the current placeholder for a major manufacturing-driven country. vietnam and india are quickly catching up, as china continues to modernize and labor / resources become more expensive. china is in the spotlight now as a media scapegoat, but believe me, if there was not an intense demand from developed nations for what china produces, the scandals we've been hearing about wouldn't exist. they aren't manufacturing here for the fun of it.

i think most consumers don't (as well they shouldn't, retailers are not exactly forthcoming) realize the origins of the products they purchase. for example, the US has specific regulations about 'made in italy' where a clock that is stamped with 'made in italy' may have only been assembled in italy, of parts mechanism made in china.

globalism at its finest.

Thank you to everyone who commented. I ended up purchasing the Corona from Macy's (before my question here was posted) and found out as I placed the order that it is made in China. Who knew?

I forgot to mention that I emailed this company (twice!) to find out if there were any other stores in the area carrying their brand. I NEVER received an answer!

Better late than never ... HTL is based in Singapore but little information is posted in their website. They donated a lot of their high-end sofas to our charity hospital and was an instant hit with both staff and visitors. Visitors couldn't get enough of the sofas and they've maintained very well in our humid climate in the past 4 years.

I have no experience with the Rubins store but I do currently own three pieces of HTL furniture.

My advice is RUN! Run as fast as you can, as far away from this brand as you possibly can! We have the electric dual reclining sofa, love seat and recliner. The reclining devices have been replaced three times. One motor has had to be replaced. The padding has deteriorated and the seats are sprung. Sitting on this furniture is like sitting on leather covered boards! The recliner motor has eaten a hole under the seat and all the leather back dust covers are torn because they don't fit properly. The reclining mechanisms hitch, pop and jam. They work so slowly you need to make an appointment to sit upright.

We have no children, this furniture has been in our home for less than 18 months and gets below average use. We are currently on a first name basis with the repair department of the store where we purchased this set and are awaiting word from the manufacturer on a resolution to this problem. We have been waiting for well over a month for that answer. The furniture supposidly has a five year warranty but given the poor response from the manufacturer I'm not holding my breath this will be resolved fairly.

I know that a consumer can get a 'lemon' in any item they purchase, and if that is the case here, the litmus test will be if the manufacturer steps up and refunds our money. If they do, I will post further comment to that effect.

The only good thing I can say about this set is that the leather is soft and supple and beautiful...pity the frame and underpinnings are so inferior.

At this point I would never buy this brand again and certainly would never recommend it to anyone. We'll have to see how well the manufacturer takes care of it's customers.

Sofa Critic, did you ever get your situation resolved?

Dunno about the electric ones but I love the basic sofa. In my view, the leather is pretty durable and I would love to buy only HTL made sofas. And no it's not from China.

Sofa Critic is right! Run away from the HTL brand. I purchased a reclining sofa and chair last June and just got it replaced with another brand. The leather starts stretching right away and the furniture wobbles every time you move. Very inferior construction.