HELP: I’ve known Saul Gershon for 48 of his 53 years in the industry and though we occupied opposite coasts, we became friends. Solly was dedicated and dynamic and traveled around the country as a sales and marketing executive, training salespeople and working with key retailers and distributors. He was with Royalweave, Mand Carpet Mills, El Dorado Carpet Mill, Hibernia Woolen Mills and his own companies. Currently, he is vice president and sales manager of Fame Floor Covering in Glendale, Calif. In July, he was devastated when his son, Jeff, was suddenly stricken with a viral infection that claimed his life. In addition to his wife, Sherri, he is survived by Garrett, 8, and Victoria, 5. To provide for the children’s education, Gershon Educational Memorial Trust Fund has been established. It will be friends and colleagues who see to it that these children are not left behind. So, in this season of giving, make a contribution to the Gershon Educational Memorial Trust Fund, 18190 Andrea Circle North, Unit #2, Northridge, CA 91325. We should help the man who through the years has helped so many.

’BAMA BOUND: Empire Today, the leading in-home supplier of floor coverings and window treatments, has just opened an office in Birmingham, Ala., offering low prices and next-day installation to anyone within a 60-mile radius. Using television and radio advertising, Empire Today sells carpet, laminate, hardwood and ceramic and claims a million customers in the U.S. and Canada from more than 50 major metropolitan areas in both countries.

PLAN OK: A solution for Solutia is on the way. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York has confirmed Solutia Inc.’s plan of reorganization. The waiting time was not idled away; the company worked on strengthening its assets and streamlining its resources. “While this has been a long process, we have used our time in Chapter 11 to truly transform and revitalize Solutia—shaping a strong portfolio of businesses, shedding $1.3 billion in liabilities and growing the company by $1 billion in sales while more than doubling our earnings,” said Jeffry N. Quinn, chairman, president and CEO. He was pleased to get his reorganization plan confirmed, and having recently obtained a fully underwritten commitment for $2 billion of exit financing, he indicated there would be significant creditor recoveries. The company should emerge from bankruptcy by the end of December or early January.

MORE WOES: Hoboken Floors and three related companies are being sued by Wachovia in Superior Court in Camden, N.J., according to Ronald J. Nelson, Hoboken’s former counsel. Hoboken earlier filed a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, which was tossed out by a U.S. District Court judge in Delaware because of the lack of unsecured funds to pay for the bankruptcy administration. That’s a long way to fall for the once largest wood flooring distributor in the country. Wachovia filed court papers that described it as the lead agent for several secured creditors who are owed $66 million, down from the $100 million owed in June. And with the Superior Court’s dismissal, Wachovia and other secured creditors can now pursue Hoboken’s assets in place of a trustee. The extent of Hoboken’s assets are vague, at best, since in its initial filing it said assets and liabilities were more than $100 million. However, Wachovia filed its suit under replevin laws, which allows it to seek recovery of goods that were improperly taken. I suppose inventory not duly paid for is considered improperly taken and can be repossessed. If the replevin writ is upheld, then the value of Hoboken’s assets will be significantly reduced. The saga is ongoing.