Serta's Bob Sherman to receive IHFRA's Pillar of the Industry Award

Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, March 13, 2013

Bob Sherman

HIGH POINT — Serta President and CEO Bob Sherman will be honored with the International Home Furnishings Representatives Assn.'s Pillar of the Industry Award in a presentation at next month's High Point Market.

IHFRA said the Pillar award is presented to an industry leader who has distinguished himself with creative work and effort to improve, enhance, and benefit relationships among reps and other segments of the industry. The winner also has shown commitment to the home furnishings industry, their community and to mankind.

Sherman's career in bedding spans 44 years, since he started delivering mattresses for retailer Slumberland in his home state of Minnesota at the age of 16. He was promoted to the sales floor and ultimately caught the eye of Sealy, which hired him as a sales representative in 1971. He worked his way up in sales and management, becoming regional vice president in 1987.

In 1989, he was offered the position of president and partner in National Bedding Co., a Serta licensee. In 23 years, the one-factory business has grown to become Serta International, with annual sales topping $1 billion. In 2011, Serta became the No. 1 bedding brand, according to Furniture/Today's ranking.

Sherman has received honors including the American Heritage Award from the Anti-Defamation League in 2010 and the Spirit of Life Award from City of Hope in 2012.
He also serves on the board of PAWS, Chicago's largest no-kill animal shelter, and in 2010 was honored by A Silver Lining Foundation, an Illinois-based organization ensuring access to cancer resource information, treatment options and cost-free mammograms.

He'll be honored at the Furniture Industry Awards Gala, sponsored by IHFRA and the National Home Furnishings Assn., on Monday, April 22, in the International Home Furnishings Center ballroom

Reservations and information are available by contacting the IHFRA office at (336) 889-3920, or reservations can be made online at www.ihfra.org/event/FIAG_2013.