Springs blends in Burlington

Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 6/24/2002 12:00:00 AM

FORT MILL, SC —

Acting rapidly to integrate its recently acquired Burlington Industries window and bedding businesses, Springs Industries Inc. has named a new management team, led by Kathryn Welsh.

Welsh, who had been Springs' vp of strategic planning, moved to the new position of vp, merchandising, soft windows.

Reporting to Welsh is Burlington veteran Don Johnson, who will be senior merchandising manager for soft windows. He had been responsible for both sales and merchandising of soft windows.

Reporting to Johnson is Gary Kitchens, merchandising manager of soft windows. He had directed the merchandising effort of Springs' soft windows for the past four years.

A newly created position of manager of marketing and product development will be filled shortly, with the manager reporting to Welsh, according to Springs. The new manager will be responsible for identifying and developing new products as well as filling market voids for Springs' customer base.

A number of Burlington sales associates have joined the Springs sales organization to maintain continuity, including Scott Blankshine, Jo Dell Grissom-Proctor, Denise Mehring, Chuck Ream, Mike Stewart and Joe Vale.

Additionally, Springs has retained a number of Burlington associates in the operations, including Allen Best, master scheduler; Jim Dyson, product development manager; Terry Houston, group industrial engineer; Kelly Stinchfield, capacity manager; Billie Wells, industrial engineer; and Dennis Williamson, manager of the Acambaro plant.

As part of the acquisition of the Burlington businesses, Springs picks up physical assets, inventory and a license to use the Burlington House and American Lifestyle brand names on bedding, window treatments and some other home furnishings.