Restonic moves to new world: Plymouth, Mass.
By David Perry -- Furniture Today, September 5, 2005
Plymouth, Mass. — Bedding producer Restonic, looking for a new start, turned to this historic city of new beginnings for its new home base.
When Restonic President and CEO Kevin Toman planted his company's banner in an office building on Court Street here, the spot was only a few blocks from Plymouth Rock, where the Pilgrims first set foot in the New World in 1620.
That rock, which has been moved a number of times over the years, now resides at water level, protected by an iron fence above and topped by an elaborate monument.
Toman's arrival here wasn't as momentous as that of the Pilgrims, of course, but it is notable nonetheless, for it marks the only New England headquarters of a Top 15 bedding producer. For years, Restonic was based in the Chicago area, the traditional hub of bedding headquarters.
But Toman lives in Duxbury, the next town up the coast from Plymouth. He's called that quaint, historic hamlet home since 1993, and it's too special a place for him to leave. When he recruited a number of key executives to his team who formerly worked with him in Boston and still live in the area, that clinched his decision to relocate Restonic's headquarters to New England.
Restonic currently occupies office space at 385 Court St., in a suite of offices on the second floor. Toman talks about finding a site that looks out over the same waters where the May-flower sailed into Plymouth. He wants to stay here.
"I consider myself a New Englander," Toman said. "I've lived in New England most of my life."
Born in New York City, he spent his early bedding years selling mattresses for Simmons and Sealy in the tough New York market. He began his career with Simmons, was recruited away by Sealy, was wooed back by Simmons, and then moved back to Sealy yet again.
When Ernie Wuliger gained control of Sealy's Connecticut facility and later assumed control of Sealy, Toman found himself a key sales executive with a consolidated Sealy. He moved to Cleveland, where Wuliger had relocated Sealy's corporate headquarters.
Several years later, Toman left Sealy to become president and CEO of Serta Northeast, based in Boston. He soon moved to Duxbury, just 26 miles from Boston but a tough commute in the heavy Boston traffic.
To understand why he's remained in Duxbury, join him for a tour of his town. Here is the road that leads to Fox Run, where foxes and even coyotes roam free. He lives on a hill overlooking cranberry bogs. He can't see the ocean, but it's a short walk away.
Just down the road is the Holy Family Catholic Church, where he is a highly involved member. His service there has included running an employment program for downsized executives, a project so promising it has become a state program.
Then you come to the oldest active cemetery in the country, where Pilgrim leaders John Alden and Miles Standish are buried.
Farther down the road, around a bend in the coastline, he comes to the longest wooden bridge in the United States. As he drives across it, he motions to the spit of land on his right, where he takes his dog and goes clamming. "Everyone has their favorite spot," he said.
The bridge ends at the Duxbury Town Beach, hit hard by a recent Nor'easter. A broad band of rocks, washed ashore by the storm, litters the beach. A lobster trap rests forlornly amid the rocks.
Toman loves to come here with his wife, Mary, to spend a quite weekend morning or afternoon. It's a great place to peruse the paper, or to grill some burgers and hot dogs.
Duxbury, sometimes called "Deluxebury" by the locals, is a peaceful haven. "I like the history," Toman says. "A lot of sea captains once lived here." Now, several captains of commerce call it home. Half-a-dozen CEOs live within a stone's throw of Toman's home.
"People here commute to Boston every day," Toman said. "They say the weekends are so relaxing and peaceful that they endure the commute. People don't go on vacations in Duxbury; they go to the beach. There is nothing more relaxing than to take the week off and go nowhere."
His busy schedule at Restonic hasn't allowed too much of that.
After moving several times in his career, Toman says he is here to stay. "This is where we have roots," he said. "This is the longest we've been in one place. This is such a great town."
It's a great place for Toman to fish and swim, and to kayak to nearby islands.
With a population of about 12,000, the town offers a friendly place to live. "I can walk through town and talk to everyone," Toman said.
Downtown is a small assemblage of shops, restaurants and stores. The swordfish sandwich at the Snug Harbor Fish House is good eating, Toman says, speaking from first-hand experience.
The area boasts some famous residents, including Steven Tyler of Arrowsmith, whom Toman bumped into — literally — a while back. "Do you know who you just bumped into?" his daughter asked. "That was Steven Tyler."
Tyler probably didn't know he had bumped into the CEO of Restonic.
"This is my world," Toman said, driving through town. On this glorious, sunny day, with blue skies overhead and a gentle breeze blowing in off the water, life was beautiful. "When you get a nice day in New England," he said, "it's tough to beat."
