Southern Textiles joins L&P's Fashion Bed Group
By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, April 12, 2004
FORSYTH, Ga. — Furniture and bedding components supplier Leggett & Platt has acquired Southern Textiles, a manufacturer of comforters, sheets, pillows and other top-of-bed linens.
Southern Textiles becomes part of metal bed importer Fashion Bed Group, a key component of L&P's consumer product unit.
"We are very excited about Southern Textiles becoming a part of the Leggett & Platt family," said Fashion Bed Group President Ron Ainsworth. "With their expertise in the top-of-bed market and Leggett's broad channels of distribution, we will be able to reach a much larger market of valued customers."
Bob O'Neill, former co-owner of Southern Textiles, will remain with the company as executive vice president. His son, Rob, will remain in the marketing and advertising department.
Leggett has named Eric Ridenour vice president of operations for Southern Textiles. He has held operations posts in Leggett's coated fabrics division.
Southern Textiles has annual revenues of about $12 million, and most of its products are sold through furniture stores and sleep shops.
At the upcoming High Point market, Southern Textiles products will be displayed in both the Fashion Bed Group and Southern Textiles showrooms. For future markets, the Fashion Bed Group showroom will be used.
