Great River Trading opens U.S. distribution center

Importer also expands management team

Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, September 23, 2008

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Great River Trading Co., formed last year as the marketing arm of Chinese case goods manufacturer Dalian Huafeng, has opened its first U.S. distribution center, a 100,000-square-foot facility in Ridgeway, Va.

Other distribution centers will open in major markets around the country in the next few years, said Michael Waggoner, senior executive vice president.

"We are excited about this new facility as it will allow our line to be available to the many dealers who have previously wanted access to our line but have been unable to buy full containers," he said.

In addition, the company has added two new management positions in merchandising, sales and marketing.

Sandee Sledge has joined Great River Trading as executive coordinator of sales and marketing, reporting to Waggoner and to Lee Eisen, vice president of sales. She most recently worked in retail sales and design, and earlier was sales manager at Interline Furniture and merchandise coordinator at Ladd Furniture. She will work with the sales force as well as existing and prospective dealers.

Sherry Royal has been hired as merchandising coordinator, reporting to Waggoner and to Jeffrey Schesnol, merchandise manager. She most recently was at case goods and dining source Bluefish Home as accessories division manager and administrative assistant. She will assist in developing product and also will help develop sales and marketing plans for large retailers, online retailers and catalog dealers.

Great River said it also plans to double the size of its showroom at the High Point Market, which opens Oct. 20, to 44,000 square feet. The company said it received good customer response to a newly opened showroom at the Las Vegas Market in July.