Hickory Springs Mfg.'s Dwayne Welch joins ASFD board

Named corporate member representative

Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, November 2, 2009

Dwayne Welch

HICKORY, N.C. — Dwayne Welch, executive vice president of sales and marketing for components source Hickory Springs Mfg., has been named to the board of the American Society of Furniture Designers.

ASFD President Steve Hodges said Welch is a corporate member representative to the board.

"Dwayne's input is invaluable as we move forward, particularly on issues related to sustainable or ‘green' furniture. We have also been impressed with the direction of Hickory Springs' Earth Care Inside program and its impact on the furniture industry," said Hodges.

Earth Care Inside is Hickory Springs' program highlighting the sustainable and recycled content found in the components it produces for seating and furniture manufacturers, including its soy-based Preserve brand foam.

"As a component supplier, part of my interest in being on the (ASFD) board is the opportunity for the company to work more closely with the design community to create a new vision of the future of the furniture industry," said Welch. "In today's marketplace, design and comfort are becoming more important than ever in determining the value of our products. I look forward to working with the ASFD to determine the roles design and comfort play in this value equation - how comfort, design and value work together to create a win-win situation for manufacturers, retail clients and end consumers to give them the best value and performance for their money."

Welch has been with Hickory Springs for 18 years and earlier worked in furniture retailing for five years as president of the Hickory Furniture Mart in Hickory, N.C.