Culp revamps upholstery fabrics management team
By Susan M. Andrews -- Furniture Today, March 18, 2007
High Point — Fabric supplier Culp Inc. has given new or expanded roles to several executives in its upholstery fabrics division, reflecting a revised manufacturing strategy that puts more emphasis on China-sourced product and less on domestically produced goods.
Rob Culp, chairman and CEO, and Frank Saxon, president, announced the changes in a memo to employees.
Liam Waters, former director of design and merchandising for the combined upholstery fabrics business, has been named senior vice president of marketing and innovation, and will direct sales, marketing and design functions for the upholstery fabric division.
Tom Sibley, former vice president of sales administration for upholstery fabrics, has been named vice president of sales. The upholstery fabric sales force will report to Sibley, and he will report to Waters.
Boyd Chumbley, previously president of the former Culp Velvet/Prints division, is now senior vice president of operations for the upholstery fabrics division. He will continue to be responsible for customer service, importing, inventory management, global logistics and quality assurance.
Reflecting the growing importance of Culp's offshore operations, Mike Messer has been promoted to senior vice president and general manager of Culp China. Messer, who is responsible for the company's operations in Qingpu, China, previously was vice president and general manager of Culp China.
Andy Hagen, previously vice president of manufacturing for the upholstery division, has been named senior vice president of domestic manufacturing and sourcing. In this new position, Hagen also will assume the additional responsibilities of business management of the contract fabrics line, which previously was handled by John Beason.
Beason is retiring but will continue to assist the company in a consulting capacity on a limited basis, according to the memo.
Waters, Chumbley, Messer and Hagen report to Saxon.
In addition, Barney Rice, previously controller for the former Culp Decorative Fabrics division, has been named division controller of the upholstery fabrics group. He reports to Ken Bowling, vice president of finance.
Separately, Culp said it will name Kenneth Bowling as chief financial officer, effective May 1. Bowling, who has been vice president, finance and treasurer, since 2004, reports to Saxon, who becomes CEO on May 1.
Bowling has worked in financial posts for the company since he joined Culp in 1997 as controller for the former Culp Velvets/Prints division.
Saxon also was the company's principal financial officer before his promotion to CEO.
Rob Culp will remain chairman.
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Culp shifts several upholstery execs
Mar 13, 2007
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