Kingsdown merges international, domestic functions

David Perry -- Furniture Today, December 20, 2012

MEBANE, N.C. — Top 10 bedding manufacturer Kingsdown is merging the sales and operations units of its international division with its domestic operation in order to better service and grow its international business, the company said.

Kingsdown also announced that Lee Hinshaw, president of international sales, has resigned and will leave the company at the end of the month.

As part of the leadership change, Kevin Damewood, executive vice president of sales and marketing, will now have responsibility for all global sales. Joe Schmoeller, executive vice president and chief operating officer, will oversee manufacturing and distribution worldwide.

"Today we are fortunate to have a significantly more experienced international and domestic management team, who all have the capability of growing our business both domestically and abroad," said Frank Hood, Kingsdown's president and CEO. "Implementing a more unified approach to sales and operations will increase our effectiveness and accelerate our ability to grow our international operations."

Hood said that consolidating all international and domestic functions "plays to our strengths in innovation and operational excellence. As we continue to grow as a company it becomes increasingly more important that we operate with one consistent vision, as one company. We have experienced tremendous growth and success internationally and have many new exciting opportunities to grow the Kingsdown international family of brands."

Hinshaw has worked in international sales and brand development for much if his 16 years with Kingsdown.

"We are extremely grateful to Lee for the contributions he has made to Kingsdown over these many years and we wish him well in his future endeavors," said Hood..
"I am pleased to have played a role in building the Kingsdown brand into one of the leading global players in the industry," said Hinshaw. "Through the hard work of our people, licensees and partners, we have developed many successful relationships around the world. At this juncture in my life, I am looking forward to pursuing new professional opportunities."

Hinshaw is the son of longtime Kingsdown CEO Eric Hinshaw, who retired from the company earlier this year.