High Country Adds Execs, Doubles Showroom

Company expands with move into down pillows and comforters

By Michele SanFilippo -- Home Textiles Today, 12/12/2005 12:00:00 AM

New York — —

New York —High Country Linens has brought two new executives into the fold: Cal Baumann as vice president of utility bedding, based in Dallas, and Beverly Chapman as director of product management, in New York.

Baumann recently served as senior buyer of sheets and utility bedding for JC Penney, while Chapman was product manager at Sheridan-Australia. Both joined High Country Linens on Dec. 1.

Baumann will be responsible for the launch of basic bedding items including mattress pads, sleep pillows and down comforters. Chapman will lead High Country's entry into the promotional bedding arena with particular focus on complete bed-in-a-bag ensembles.

“We're delighted to add two quality executives such as Cal and Beverly to the High Country Linens team,” added Tom Ferrisi, president of sales and marketing. “They're industry veterans who will bring extensive experience, knowledge and energy to our organization.”

In addition, the company is doubling its showroom space at 261 Fifth Ave., suite 311, to 7,000 square feet in time for the spring New York Home Textiles Market. It will be expanding into adjacent spaces available on the floor.

“The expansion of our showroom will give us a more appropriate vehicle to launch our two new business categories (down pillows and comforters) while fully exploiting our current product mix,” explained Ferrisi.

The company views its move into the new categories as a natural progression since it has down processing and filling capabilities at its factories in Nanjing, China. High Country already has a large down business in apparel, shipping such brands as Tommy Hilfiger and The Gap.