Don Essenberg Joins Magnussen Home As Senior Vice President Of Sales

Furniture World Magazine

As part of its plan to grow to top ten status among furniture manufactures/importers in three years, Magnussen Home Furnishings Inc. has hired one of the top sales and marketing executives in the industry. Don Essenberg has joined the company as senior vice president of sales. Essenberg, who most recently was vice president of sales for Broyhill, is the third generation in his family in the furniture business and has one of the most comprehensive backgrounds in the industry. “Although our marketplace is increasingly complex, I continue to be amazed at how successful we are at growing our business,” says Jeff Cook, Magnussen Home president and chief executive officer. “This is because we take the time to understand the consumer and our dealers. “Our growth thus far has led us into new product categories and expanded our distribution base. The need to bring in a seasoned sales executive with proven credentials in managing a multi-division, multi-channel structure has become very clear,” Cook states. “Over the next several years continuing to gain market share is critical if we are to serve our dealers effectively while maintaining our passion to be the industry leader in service. In Don, we believe we have a key ingredient to achieving the next level of growth for our company. “We are committed to building a team of world class people,” Cook says. “It really is all about people and creating a magical place to work. We are honored that Don has joined the Magnussen Home family.” After graduating from college in 1977, Essenberg joined Broyhill as a sales representative, where he became Salesman of the Year in his second year. He quickly moved up the ranks and within five years was national sales manager. It was the first of countless successes at some of the industry’s leading companies. In 1987 he joined Bernhardt as national sales and marketing manager over the case goods division and gallery programs. In 1989, he was named vice president of sales at Berkline and was an integral part of their explosive growth during his tenure. Essenberg returned to Broyhill in 1993 where he served in several management capacities before being named vice president of sales in 2004, overseeing annual revenues of more than $500 million. “We are absolutely ecstatic to have Don join the Magnussen Home team,” says Richard Olmeda, Magnussen Home executive vice president. “He is a consummate professional. He loves to mentor, and he has a passion for success. There is no question he will help us reach our immediate and long-term goals.” Magnussen Home Furnishings, Inc. designs, imports, and distributes medium- and upper-medium-priced occasional tables, accent furniture and case goods across all style categories for retailers around the world. The company brings more than 20 years of experience with offshore sourcing focused on quality control of state- of-the- art technology, workmanship, finishing and timely delivery. As a result, the Magnussen Express and Accents Express programs deliver products domestically within five working days to participating retailers in the United States and Canada. Magnussen Home licensing partners are Cristina Ferrare Home Collections, Carolyn Kinder for Magnussen Home and Biltmore Estate For Your Home by Magnussen Home.