Asia-based Lexington unit to develop, oversee imports
Brian Carroll -- Furniture Today, January 19, 2003
Lexington, N.C. — Manufacturer and importer Lexington Home Brands is placing its own people in China to develop product, oversee quality and handle logistics.
A new Global Product Development Unit should be in place by the second quarter, the company said. Imports make up about 40% of Lexington's product line, up from 30% last year.
"Having our own trained people, full-time, on the ground in this important region will allow us to deliver better, quicker, and with more consistent quality," said Bob Stec, chairman.
Leading the new unit is Charles Aurich, who has been promoted to director of international operations. Jeff Hunt has been promoted to manager of international sourcing, reporting to Aurich. Previously, Aurich was product development manager and Hunt was manager of import purchasing.
Aurich and Hunt are working to complete a 25-member staff to work in design, engineering, sourcing and quality control. They are based in Singapore until it's determined where the new unit will be based, probably somewhere in mainland China.
Stec said the unit isn't aimed only at sourcing product. It also will enable Lexington to "find and develop concepts, materials, products, and services that will be on the forefront of our industry in the years ahead," he said. "This is something that cannot be accomplished with short trips back and forth."
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