OFMA honors McPherson, Thody
By Michael J. Knell -- Furniture Today, December 16, 2001
MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — Canada's "Mr. Furniture" and the retiring chairman and chief executive of this country's largest bedding producer will be honored by the Ontario Furniture Manufacturers Assn. for their contributions to the industry and their communities.
Bruce McPherson Sr. and Pat Thody will receive Lifetime Achievement Awards at the Trillium Awards ceremony on Friday, Jan. 11, just prior to the Canadian Home Furnishings Market.
This is the second year OFMA has recognized a manufacturer for outstanding achievements. Last year, the award was bestowed on Orville Mead, chairman of bedroom producer Durham Furniture.
Known throughout the Canadian industry as Mr. Furniture, McPherson took over the family firm, The Gibbard Furniture Shops of Napanee, Ontario, in the early 1950s. His father, Jack, acquired the high-end, solid-wood case goods producer from the Gibbard family in 1939 but died a few years later.
Gibbard, the oldest furniture company in Canada, was founded by John Gibbard in 1835 and operated by his family for the next century.
McPherson, 80, served in the Royal Canadian Navy in World War II. An avid athlete in his youth, he helped raise funds for many sports facilities. In 1967, he received the Canada Centennial Medal and in 1984 the Ontario Bicentennial Medal. In 1980, he was honored by Maclean's magazine as "The Best Boss in Canada."
On two occasions, McPherson served as OFMA president and also served two terms as president of the Canadian Council of Furniture Manufacturers.
Pat Thody joined Simmons Canada in Vancouver, British Columbia, in 1971 as its sales representative for Vancouver Island. He rose through the ranks, becoming general manager of the British Columbia division in 1984.
The following year, he was named vice president of marketing, and became president and chief operating officer in 1988. Thody led the management buyout of Simmons Canada from its U.S.-based parent the following year, adding CEO to his title.
Three years ago, Thody was instrumental is taking the bedding and upholstery producer public. A few weeks ago, he announced his retirement effective at the end of May 2002.
A long-time director of OFMA, Thody also served as president from 1991 to 1993 and 1994 to 1997.
His passion for golf is well known, and he is an honorary committee member of Perspectives, an organization that raises funds to support women's shelters through art auctions.
The honorees were selected by OFMA's board from nominations received from the industry.
| McPherson |
| Thody |
-
Stanley board adds director, elects new chairman
Dec 14, 2010 -
David Blair joins Fairfield Chair in sales post
Sep 29, 2010
Featured Company
-
Wright Labels
Bill and Tom Wright founded Wright of Thomasville in 1961 on the idea that printing was a creative medium and the belief that "a promise made is a promise kept." The Wright brothers focused their attention on providing exceptional printing for the... more
VIEW ALL GALLERIES
