Spring Air Announces Senior Leadership Team Appointments

Furniture World Magazine

The recently merged Spring Air Company announced that it has named the remaining members of its senior leadership team, appointing Kevin Damewood as executive vice president of sales, Jan Wettergren as senior vice president of manufacturing and Ron Lueptow as chief financial officer. The three executives, who most recently held the same positions at Consolidated Bedding prior to the merger, join Chief Executive Officer Bob Hellyer, President Jim Nation and Chairman Steve Antinori, who were appointed in late June. Damewood is one of the most seasoned sales executives in the mattress industry, serving in senior positions with Simmons and Sealy during a career spanning nearly 25 years. He also spent time on the retail side of the business as a buyer for Davison’s and Zayre Corp. He joined Consolidated Bedding in 2006 after five years heading Simmons’ 250 person sales organization. During his tenure at Simmons he grew sales by more than 25-percent, launched an extensive training program for sales representatives, and led several national launches of new products and re-launches of improved products from both a sales and marketing perspective. Wettergren also joined Consolidated Bedding in 2006. He was responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the company’s manufacturing operations in California, Florida, New Jersey, Ohio and Texas. He is credited with improving operations by implementing new procedures and processes in each plant such as refitting the plant floor and adding employee incentive structures in each facility that has significantly increased operational efficiency. Before joining Consolidated Bedding, he was with Serta International as director of manufacturing systems and controls. He was accountable for the company’s 21 manufacturing facilities and its licensees. In addition, he was responsible for plant management staffing and for the implementation of the national quality control programs and procedures. Lueptow has more than 25 years of broad financial and operations experience in multi-plant manufacturing companies. Upon joining Consolidated Bedding, in 2005, Lueptow led restructuring initiatives that reduced costs, streamlined operations, implemented effective business controls and optimized working capital. Prior to Consolidated Bedding, he was group vice president of finance at Circor International, a manufacturer of valves and fluid controls where he was responsible for financial and accounting operations for a group of four companies in the U.S. and Europe. Prior to that assignment, he held positions in operations and finance at Tellabs, Inc., a telecommunications gear manufacturer, where he last served as vice president of global financial planning and analysis. “We have assembled the best leadership team in the industry. Kevin, Jan and Ron bring exceptional skill, vision and operational excellence to each of their divisions,” said Spring Air Chief Executive Officer Bob Hellyer. “It is an exciting time for the Spring Air family of customers, employees and vendors/suppliers. We have a unique opportunity to grow a national, value-oriented S brand and these industry leaders will be on the front lines of delivering value to our customers and people everyday.” On June 27th The Spring Air Company merged with Consolidated Bedding, Inc. of Tampa, FL, Spring Air's largest licensee and simultaneously acquired six other Spring Air licensees operating eight mattress manufacturing facilities in the United States. The unified Company employs 1,150 employees in 14 locations, including its headquarters facility in the Chicago area. The merger will solidify Spring Air's position as the leading value "S" brand on every retail floor. Founded in 1926, The Spring Air Company is one of the world’s largest mattress manufacturing and distribution companies. It’s well-known consumer brand’s include: Sleep Rite; Back Supporter; Nature’s Rest; Four Seasons; and Chattam & Wells.