-- Bush Furniture says it has a new pre-installed ready-to-assemble furniture technology that is five times faster than conventional RTA systems.

The manufacturer of furniture for home and office branded the product Quick-to-Assemble (QTA) technology  during a High Point Market debut today.

Manufacturing wood components for the new QTA system delivers furniture at a cost that comparable to traditional RTA, while significantly lower than casegoods, Bush Furniture said during the launch.

The first furniture using it is the kathy ireland Office by Bush Furniture line, a grouping of stylish  home and office furnishings, along with storage accessories. The kathy ireland Office collection begin distribution nationally this summer, through retailers and online.  

"We understand consumers value their time and don't want to waste countless hours struggling to put their furniture together," said Jim Sherbert, CEO of Bush Furniture Industries, Inc. QTA eliminates "the hassle of a long and frustrating assembly," Sherbert said.

Bush says it tested the QTA furniture assembly in timed trials in a lab to determine it can be put together up to five times faster than traditional RTA. It has fewer pieces and steps, featuring preinstalled fasteners and drawer hardware, and with panels that join together without force and using minimal or no tools, according to Bush. Structural integrity of QTA furniture is comparable to conventional casegoods, according to Bush, but manufacturing cost is lower, allowing less expensive retail. The technology allows products to be flat-packed, for lower shipping costs and easier transport.

Bush Furniture, which returned to the High Point market this year, also announced other additions to the kathy ireland furniture line. Last year, kiWW, the design and marketing company founded by designer, Kathy Ireland, signed an exclusive licensing agreement with Bush Furniture to develop new lines of office and home furnishings.