IFRHA names Kevin Sauder Pillar of the Industry

Sauder CEO to receive honor at gala during High Point Market

Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, March 1, 2011

Kevin Sauder

HIGH POINT — Kevin Sauder will be honored as a Pillar of the Industry by the International Home Furnishings Representatives Assn. at a ceremony during the April High Point Market.

Sauder, president and CEO of ready-to-assemble furniture and case goods source Sauder Woodworking, will be honored at the 17th annual Furniture Industry Awards Gala here on Monday, April 4.

The Pillar of the Industry Award is presented to an industry leader who has distinguished himself with creative work and effort to improve, enhance and benefit relationships among representatives and other segments of the industry. Honorees have shown their commitment to the home furnishings industry, their community and to mankind.

Sauder graduated from Miami (Ohio) University and earned an MBA from Duke University before joining Northern Telecom in business systems and marketing in Raleigh, N.C. Three years later in 1988, he returned to his family's company as sales and marketing manager for the office products division. He was named Sauder's vice president of marketing and sales in 1992 and president in 1999.

Sauder Woodworking, a 76-year-old family business, is North America's largest manufacturer of RTA furniture and ranks fifth on Furniture/Today's Top 25 Sources for the U.S. Furniture Market ranking with 2009 shipments of $467 million. Its subsidiaries include contract furniture source Sauder Mfg., case goods importer Progressive Furniture and Sauder Global Sourcing, an importer of RTA furniture and task seating.

The April 4 Furniture Industry Awards Gala, sponsored by IHFRA and the National Home Furnishings Assn., will be held in the International Home Furnishings Center Ballroom on the 11th floor of the Green Wing. For reservations, contact the IHFRA office at (336) 889-3920 or e-mail ihfra@ihfra.org for more information.