Hickory Springs creates new business units in market-focused strategy

Cindy W. Hodnett -- Furniture Today, February 20, 2013

Tim Becker	Todd Councilman
Tony Everett	Brad McNeely

HICKORY, N.C. — Hickory Springs, a manufacturer of components for the furniture, bedding and transportation markets, said Tuesday it is adopting a market-focused strategy and has chosen executives to lead new business units for the company.

The four new business units - bedding solutions, furniture solutions, transportation solutions and diversified solutions - serve as the centerpiece of Hickory Springs' new business model.

"Each of these profit centers will leverage Hickory Springs' core capabilities to develop and execute a business plan for profitable growth of both component sales and integrated solutions to customers in their respective markets," said Dave Colburn, president and CEO.

Tapped to lead the new units are Tim Becker, vice president, diversified solutions; Todd Councilman, vice president, bedding solutions; Tony Everett, vice president, transportation seating solutions; and Brad McNeely, vice president, furniture solutions.

David Duncan

In addition, David Duncan has been named vice president, corporate sales.

Becker has more than 15 years of experience with Hickory Springs in wire technology and products, most recently as vice president of the wire products group. Earlier, he spent more than 11 years in the steel industry.
Councilman is a 25-year veteran of the foam industry and joined Hickory Springs six years ago. He held positions in quality, marketing, sales and plant management before his most recent assignment as general manager of the Southeast region.
Everett joined Hickory Springs in January with the acquisition of The C.E. White Co., where he had been president and CEO since 2006.

McNeely's career with Hickory Springs spans more than 23 years, including positions as sales representative and regional sales manager. Most recently he was vice president new product development.

In 22 years with Hickory Springs, Duncan has worked as area sales manager and national product manager - bedding foam. He was most recently the vice president of the company's western foam division.

Duncan and the four business unit leaders will report to Lee Lunsford, executive vice president and chief operating officer.

Hickory Springs also said that Dwayne Welch has a new title, executive vice president, chief marketing and innovation officer. His previous title was executive vice president, chief sales and marketing officer.

"These appointments represent the first step in the transition to our new corporate structure," said Colburn. "Building out this organization will promote collaboration across all four business units, enabling us to combine multiple manufacturing capabilities and ultimately enhance our ability to deliver both components and integrated solutions to an expanding customer base."