Magnussen, Essenberg take expanded roles makes management changes
By Thomas Russell -- Furniture Today, April 30, 2007
New Hamburg, Ontario — Magnussen Home Chairman Richard Magnussen has assumed the post of president and CEO after the departure of Jeff Cook, recently named president of Broyhill Furniture Inds.
Magnussen had been CEO until August 2002, when he became chairman and gave the CEO title to Cook, who had been president since 1998.
In a related move, Don Essenberg has been promoted to executive vice president and chief marketing officer, a new post. He had been senior vice president of sales
Magnussen said he was comfortable stepping back into day-to-day management. He said the role will give him a more hands-on approach to strategic decision-making and also will allow him to "further streamline the company's infrastructure based on the principles of trust, honesty and respect.
"My efforts will be to streamline the back end of our business and what we are known for — fast, on-time deliveries and quality that live up to what we promise," he said. "We will continue to place a priority on building value into our product line."
Magnussen will work at company offices in New Hamburg and in High Point.
"I find it exciting working closely with the front lines," he said. "We have a great team of people here and I'm very confident the team is going to continue to make a major impact on the industry."
Essenberg, who reports to Magnussen, joined the company in July 2005. He had held various posts at Broyhill since 1993, including vice president of case goods merchandising and vice president of sales. He previously held executive sales posts at Berkline and Bernhardt.
Essenberg will oversee the company's marketing efforts, ranging from brand development to merchandising and sales.
"This will be the first time in our 76-year history that our sales, merchandising and marketing efforts have been fully integrated," he said. "We believe that this new focus will enable us to better serve our retail partners and provide the consumer with new, exciting and affordable home fashions."
