Sauder Woodworking Names Kevin Sauder President/COO

Furniture World Magazine

Kevin Sauder, formerly executive vice president of marketing, sales and human resources for Sauder Woodworking, has been named president and chief operating officer, the company announced today. Kevin is the third generation to lead the family business since its founding in 1934 by grandfather Erie Sauder (1904 - 1997), who was issued a U.S. patent as the inventor of ready -to-as assemble (RTA) furniture in 1951. Maynard Sauder will remain in his position as CEO and chairman of Sauder Woodworking Co. and its subsidiaries, having transferred operating responsibility for Sauder's RTA furniture business to his son Kevin, effective April 19. Maynard also will continue to provide leadership in the areas of employee, customer, vendor and community relations, and corporate philanthropy. "I'm thrilled to see members of the next generation who are capable and interested in leading the company into the new millennium," says Maynard Sauder. "Kevin has proven to be a wise decision maker, and I have confidence that he'll bring this company to new heights as we continue to expand our industry expertise." With the company for 11 years, Kevin, age 39, joined Sauder in 1988 as marketing and sales manager for the office products division where he directed a national sales force and was instrumental in the growth of Sauder's business with office superstores. He was later promoted to director of marketing where he initiated a major brand awareness effort including national advertising and public relations campaigns, and championed the development of new upscale product lines for residential and commercial office use. Prior to joining Sauder Woodworking, Kevin worked as a marketing and systems analyst with Northern Telecom in Raleigh, North Carolina, for three years. Kevin holds an MBA from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University and a bachelor's of science degree from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. "In addition to Kevin's leadership, there are two other members of the third generation in key manufacturing management roles - Garrett Tinsman and Dan Sauder, " adds Maynard. "This continued family integration into the business speaks volumes about our commitment to remain a privately-held company with the ability to manage for the long-term good of our customers, employees and stockholders. " Sauder Woodworking is the nation's largest manufacturer of ready -to-assemble furniture and the eighth largest furniture manufacturer in the nation, with 1998 RTA sales of more than $500 million. Sauder Woodworking Co. includes two subsidiaries - Sauder Manufacturing Company, a leader in church and institutional seating, and Archbold Container Corporation - that brought total 1998 corporate revenues to $550 million.