David Li resumes presidency of Westgate/HFI
Thomas Coughlin leaves fabric, furniture source
Gary Evans -- Furniture Today, March 11, 2009
NEW YORK — CEO David Li has resumed the presidency of home furnishings and fabric supplier Westgate/HFI, part of a restructuring of several top-level positions.
Li replaces President Thomas Coughlin, who left to pursue other interests after three years with the company.
In addition, veteran home fashions executive Amy Bell has been named to the new position of executive vice president of marketing for Westgate/HFI.
Westgate/HFI also named Jean Brown as chief operating officer, succeeding Jack Cobb, who has taken over management of the company's Chinese operations.
The company said that by returning to the presidency, Li will have more hands-on time to continue growing the company in the face of the "current challenging economic climate."
"Our business is actually quite good, and we managed to beat our numbers in 2008, which is extremely positive, considering the global economic downturn," Li said.
"However, as our business continues to grow and become more complex, I feel it is extremely important that I be more involved in the day-to-day functions. This will enable us to meet our growth goals for 2009 and beyond," he added.
The company is a vertical manufacturer of decorative fabrics and finished home fashions. According to the company, annual sales are in excess of $175 million.
Li said the company's product line and sources of supply have dramatically expanded. In the past year, Westgate acquired Quaker Brazil, began manufacturing for Westlake — the decorative upholstery fabric line imported and converted by Glabman-Himes in High Point — and launched upholstered furniture vendor Westgate Home Furnishings.
Quaker Brazil has been a "tremendously successful" venture, according to Li, and has resulted in "our export operations doing extremely well. We have been successful with our upholstery fabric and furniture line, as well as taking over the Westlake fabric business.
"We have built a new manufacturing facility in Rugao, China, and also made a major investment in new finishing facilities and equipment," he said. "We are continuing to invest in facilities and infrastructure in order to provide our customers with superior home furnishings products at a substantial value. All of these developments require more of my personal attention, which is why I have decided to take a more active role in the business."
Li said Bell contributed to four consecutive years of growth in the company's decorative accessories and pet bed division. He said she has had extensive experience on the retailer and supplier sides of the business, and expects her expertise "will help us better meet the needs of our retail customers in these challenging economic circumstances."
Bell has been with Westgate/HFI for four years as vice president and merchandise manager for decorative pillows and accessories. She previously held sales, merchandising and product development positions with Ashford Court, the Madison Landing division of Glenoit and the Portofino division of Perfect Fit. Bell started her career as a retail buyer for the Parisian department store group, and also worked as a buyer for Beall's and L.S. Ayers department stores.
Brown has been with the company for four years, most recently as president of the Westgate Interiors division and vice president of new business development. Brown has been in the home furnishings industry for more than 15 years, holding a variety of executive and sales management positions.
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Li resumes presidency of fabric source Westgate/HFI
Apr 13, 2009
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