October 16, 2006

CONTACT: Bondi Coley
bcoley@leeindustries.com
828.464.8318 x270

For Immediate Release

(October 16, 2006) -- Creativity and focus place LEE Industries in the forefront of modern traditional design this fall.

The soft, harmonious esthetic for which the company is known is maintained but it is also evolving, with great discipline, into the realm of inventive and lively modern furniture.

New frames are built on fluid lines, often influenced by classic antique designs. Seat constructions are slim-fit and simplified, no overstuffing or overembellishment here. Especially pro-designer is a fully upholstered modified wing bed showcased in three different settings with fabric packages from mild to wild.

Shown on the 67 seating sku intros are 99 new fabrics. Applications run the gamut from simple soft-hand leathers that allow line and form to project the modern message, to washed linens and cottons in exciting patterns: overscale cabbage rose, Hawaiian bark cloth, American period botanical, modern geometrics and mini-stripes. Wovens include schoolgirl plaids, tribals and embroideries.

Colors are predominately soft, comfortable tropicals in the hues of fruits, water, and sky, often complemented by pale sandy neutrals and browns.

FEATURED PRODUCTS (see photos enclosed) :

L-1016-01 Danish Modern Club - This ergonomic, “modern antique” was inspired by aesthetics typical of Danish design 1930-1940. Scale is proportional to the body, and the soft padded arm is subtly rounded and flared for active comfort. Shown in Madison Putty, a full grain pure aniline leather that is completely waterproof.

L-1145-02 Copenhagen Loveseat - A bold, simple statement, also influenced by stylized and minimal Danish archetypes. There is a modern wave to the arm and classic, simple wood leg and stretcher. Upholstered in smooth and sensual, Tombstone Brown leather, with simple linear nailhead trim.
A sister loveseat, 1146-02 Copenhagen Cottage, is edged with welting rather than nailheads and is upholstered in Key West Beach, a washed bark cloth tropical print available in two colors: Beach and Cocoa.

3832-11 Not-That-Shy Loveseat - Surprising, yet traditional and classic. This feminine, armless, softly upholstered bench flouts its classic beauty with vase turned legs. Spirit and spunk come from the jumbo nailheads on a banded apron and from fabric application. Shown in Longpoint Citrus, a fun, two color tropical print from Pine Cone Hill. Also available in Denim and Red colorways.

8605-50 Neo-Wing Bed - A reincarnation of the classic wrap bed, fully contemporary and fully comfortable. Designers will love the freedom to apply creative license to upholstery on the headboard, footboard, and rails. Shown in Longpoint Red tropical print (see Not-that-Shy Loveseat descriptive above).

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For more information about LEE and their products, visit www.leeindustries.com.
To talk about upcoming editorial projects requiring quality upholstered furnishings, contact
Bondi Coley, 828.464.8318 x270, bcoley@leeindustries.com.

Major Breakthrough: Green Comes To Mainstream Upholstery
Good Design That Can Make a Difference
Debuts Today In the Natural LEE© Program

(October 16, 2006) - After some 14 months in development, LEE Industries introduces a revolutionary, bio-based upholstery program at the High Point Furniture Market.

Natural LEE© debuts today, with development underway to offer all LEE product, upon request, in Natural LEE© specs in the near future.

Natural LEE© is the first mainline upholstery manufacturer to incorporate Hickory Springs Preserve™ soy-based foam for seat cushions. The new upholstery program also employs 100% cotton fabrics, water-based wood finishes, and other sustainable and renewable upholstery components, for a truly environmentally-friendly product.

Natural LEE© maximizes lumber yields with frames constructed of engineered panels bonded with soy-based resins. The company's wood suppliers voluntarily adhere to standards of responsible management programs to sustain the Earth’s forests, including the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and Smartwood©, both dedicated to ethical land stewardship.

“We think Natural LEE© is a very responsible solution with real value in the marketplace,” says president Norm Coley. “These products are not just good for the environment – water, air, trees, land – they are good for the industry, good for the economy, and good for people.”

“As technology advances, so does our responsibility toward a more earth-friendly future,” Coley says. “All upholstery materials have not yet been successfully developed in 100% bio-based forms. However, our company is working to bring even the smallest components – including glues, spring up, sewing supplies, and packing materials – to earth-friendly specifications wherever technologically possible.”

Although new-tech, bio-based materials are more costly, “we can’t take a responsible solution and price it out of the market for people,” Coley says. The company plans to price Natural LEE© upholstery no more than ten percent above standard LEE price points.

Natural LEE© Components:

SEAT CUSHIONS: The Preserve™ soy-based foam cushion core from Hickory Springs and developed by Cargill, replaces up to 20% of foam petrochemical-derived polyol with a renewable, bio-based polyol made from soybeans. Though its bio-based content is obviously of interest, Preserve™ has also been engineered and tested for performance, demonstrating unmatched firmness retention, long-lasting support, and durability. In the
Natural LEE© program, this core is wrapped in 100% clean, recycled fiber made from clear/white plastic bottles. Ticking covers are 100% cotton.

BACK & THROW PILLOW FILL: 100% recycled fibers made from clear/white plastic bottles. The recycled material is reprocessed into its original form and then into fiber. Ticking covers are 100% cotton.

ARM PADDING & SEAT DECK: Reclaimed fiber made up of 80% regenerated fibers, consisting of virgin and waste fibers combined with a binder fiber.

UPHOLSTERY FABRICS: 100% cotton and linen.

WOOD FRAMES: Engineered panels meeting Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and Rainforest Alliances SmartWood certification bonded with soy-based resins.

WOOD FINISHES: Water-based.

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