Hollander Home Fashions Restructures Executives

Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 5/4/2009 12:00:00 AM

Boca Raton, Fla. —

Hollander Home Fashions new executive structure is designed to position the company for growth despite the faltering economy.

"This is a time to get stronger," said Jeff Hollander, who is stepping into the role of executive chairman. "Any time there's weakness in the market it makes sense for the strong to grow."

Coming aboard to fill Hollander's previous position as ceo is industry veteran Chris Baker, mostly recently chief operating officer at WestPoint Home.

"I spent 12 years at Pillowtex and really have always enjoyed utility bedding," said Baker. "Hollander was our most formidable competitor."

Hollander intends to remain active in the company, with Baker as his lone direct report.

"I see us possibly entering other product categories — either organically or through acquisition," said Hollander. The company recently extended its Laura Ashley license for basic bedding into a new category: outdoor cushions.

The company will build lines of business that dovetail with the mission statement: Helping people live more comfortably.

"We're going to expand outside our traditional base," he added, noting a re-entry into fashion bedding is not in the cards.

Baker will run operations as an independent senior leader, but will also serve as a collaborative partner on strategic matters, said Hollander. He will also examine opportunities for expanding the company's production abroad , which currently consists of five joint venture factories in China. Hollander also manufactures in six locations in the United States and Canada.

Said Baker: "The company has done a terrific job establishing itself as a top-quality provider. At this point, it's about looking at how we expand market share."