Spring Air Appoints Allen N. Podratsky Senior VP Supply Chain Management

Furniture World Magazine

The Spring Air Company said that it had appointed bedding industry veteran Allen N. Podratsky, 51, to the newly created position of senior vice president of supply chain management. He will be responsible for managing all aspects of the supply chain, including maximizing vendor relationships, sourcing of components and working with other departments to improve time-to-market and network optimization. Podratsky most recently was president of Global Supply Chain Partners, which has assisted more than 50 clients drive operational effectiveness measured by cost, speed, quality and compliance with CR 1633 flammability regulations that took affect in the mattress industry nationally on July 1st. He founded the company after leaving Simmons Bedding Company in 2005 after five years. At Simmons, Podratsky was senior vice president of supply chain and product development. He led a team of 48 engineers and supply chain professionals responsible for material procurement, product development initiatives, logistics, consumer service and manufacturing effectiveness based on “lean” principles. Some of his most notable successes at Simmons was managing the planning and acquisition of raw materials with no price increases for three consecutive years, reducing the company’s sku count by 80-percent while sales and profits rose by 50-percent and 140-percent, respectively. Earlier in his career he held senior positions in manufacturing, supply chain management and product development for Xerox, Mattel and Tonka. “Allen is one of the sharpest minds in supply chain management in the country and most certainly in the mattress industry. We are pleased he is joining Spring Air,” said Chief Executive Officer Bob Hellyer. “Allen brings a unique, in-depth perspective of the supply chain that will result in products with better margins for dealers, more appropriate designs, getting to market faster, and having a more reliable supply line,” he added. Podratsky said he decided to return to the corporate side of the industry because of the unique opportunity available at Spring Air. “Bob and his leadership team have created a very compelling platform to make Spring Air the value name “S” brand on every retail floor. They understand and appreciate the value of world-class supply chain management, so it was a truly unique opportunity to join a bedding leader at a crucial time in its evolution,” Podratsky said. Active in the industry, Podratsky is a past president of the Sleep Product Safety Council. He received his master’s in business administration degree from St. Bonaventure University and his bachelor’s degree from West Liberty State College. He and his wife, Susie, reside in Alpharetta, GA. Founded in 1926, The Spring Air Company is one of the world’s largest mattress manufacturing companies with more than 1,150 employees in 14 locations. It’s well-known consumer brand’s include: Sleep Rite; Back Supporter; Nature’s Rest; Four Seasons; and Chattam & Wells.