KIMBALL HOME FURNITURE HIRES DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & SALES

Furniture World Magazine

Robert Cribbs has been named Director of Marketing and Sales for Kimball Home Furniture, the newly energized residential furniture division of manufacturing giant Kimball international. He will oversee the introduction of the company's line of solid wood bedroom, dining room, and occasional furniture. Kimball Home's Cherry Falls and Oak Meadow collections were introduced in April; a new collection, Pine Mountain, will debut at the October Market, A native of Louisville, KY, Cribbs describes himself as a "third generation furniture man.'' After graduating from Southeast Missouri State University in 1974, he held a succession of sales positions for a variety of residential furniture manufacturers. He gained extensive and varied experience in casegoods, upholstery and motion furniture, both in the field and in managerial positions. In 1995, Cribbs became a regional sales manager for La-Z-Boy Incorporated, where he remained until joining Kimball Home Furniture. While there, he was responsible for $100 million in sales. "We were impressed with Robert's dynamic personality and diverse background,', says John Thyen, Senior Executive Vice President of Marketing and Sales for Kimball International. "We've concentrated some real energy on these solid wood collections during, the past year, and we've already seen terrific results. But as far as product mix is concerned, this is the tip of the iceberg, We have big plans for Kimball Home Furniture. I'm confident we've found the right person to help take us there." "I'm excited about the challenge of building something from the ground up and really doing things right," Cribbs declares. "These new collections are extremely strong/ the quality is fantastic, the 48-hour shipping program is working well. Once dealers put Kimball Home Furniture on their floor, consumers will see the value. This furniture is going to perform." Cribbs, his wife Dorothy and their one-year-old son Christopher are in the process of relocating to Jasper, IN.