Hickory Springs promotes two to VP, one to sales director

Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, July 13, 2011

Brad McNeely

Mike Simmons

Drew Sweeney

HICKORY, N.C. — Hickory Springs Mfg. has named two of its executives to new vice president positions and has named a sales director in its metal products division as part of an ongoing realignment strategy.

Brad McNeely has been named vice president of new product development, a position created to support the company's new Corporate Innovation and Testing Center. Mike Simmons will join McNeely in the center as vice president of new development, and the two will work together to develop products for new markets.

In addition, Drew Sweeney, a 12-year company employee, has been named to the newly created position of national director of sales and new business development for metal products.

Over the next few weeks, McNeely will announce additional personnel changes to support the development of the Corporate Innovation and Testing Center at Hickory Springs, an international supplier of components for the furniture and bedding industries.

McNeely has led the company's regional sales team as foam marketing manager since 2003. He was previously regional sales manager, and has been with Hickory Springs since 1989. In his new role, he will be responsible for building and leading an enhanced product development team responsible for expanding the company's product portfolio and taking it into new markets.

Simmons has been with the company for 20 years in a variety of positions, most recently as national marketing manager.

Sweeney joined Hickory Springs in 1999 and has held various positions within the company, most recently general manager of Hickory Metal. He will now focus on the continued national sales growth of Hickory Springs' recliner, sleeper product, metal tubing and stamped parts lines, the company said, and will expand the company's sales force to generate additional business and increase product diversification within the tubing and stamped parts markets.

"Brad and Mike have earned these promotions and we are excited to have them leading the company's new product and new business development," said Dwayne Welch, executive vice president and chief sales and marketing officer of Hickory Springs. "Their experience and expertise will be instrumental in the ongoing diversification of the company and in shaping the development of our new Corporate Innovation and Testing Center."

Welch added, "Drew's key contacts within the home furnishings industry will serve the company well as he works to strengthen our relationships with the industry's top accounts. We are fortunate to have Drew's experience and expertise guiding these all-important revenue streams for the company."