Furniture source Schnadig creates new development team

Jeff Young to lead group of industry veterans

Heath E. Combs -- Furniture Today, October 12, 2009

Lenwood Rich

Jeff Katz

Phil Pfeifer

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Schnadig International has named industry veterans Lenwood Rich, Jeff Katz and Phil Pfeifer to a new business development team that will manage dealer relations across the company's multiple brand emphasis.

Leading the team is Chairman and CEO Jeff Young. He said the group will be responsible for managing multiple brands and dealers, especially those with multiple operations.

"There's going to be a vast amount of coordination and these guys will be the coordinators of the flow of product," Young said.

He said the team will evaluate customer needs in relation to the brands with a focus on distribution and logistics. It will be responsible for maintaining an orderly flow of merchandise for dealers, making sure order flow is continuous and on time, he added.

The team will be responsible for broadening Schnadig's five brand categories which includes product across multiple price points in all furniture categories.

The brands are Caracole, an eclectic mix of product; Compositions, a group of opulent upholstery, occasional and accent furniture; the newly announced Lauren Ralph Lauren brand with classic to modern styles; Schnadig upholstery; and Schnadig Home, a classic and contemporary whole home collection.

Rich will be senior vice president of business development for new markets. He was formerly president of Drexel Heritage and held executive positions at Lexington Home Brands.

Katz, currently vice president of sales for Schnadig, has been promoted to senior vice president of business development. Previously, he held merchandising and executive positions at Broyhill and Sears Homelife.

In his new role, he will work with customers carrying all brand segments with special emphasis on value driven product at Schnadig, Schnadig Home and Lauren Ralph Lauren brands.

Pfeifer was hired as Schnadig's lead international sales executive. He was most recently vice president of international sales for Furniture Brands International and earlier held international sales positions at Thomasville, Drexel Heritage, Lifestyle Furnishings International and Lexington Home Brands.

The new team reunites Young and Rich who worked together at both Lexington Home Brands and Furniture Brands International.

Schnadig is owned by Asian manufacturer Markor, which acquired the U.S. company in January.