Blue Ridge Names new EVP, Signs RV Deal

By Michele SanFilippo -- Home Textiles Today, 9/12/2005 12:00:00 AM

Los Angeles — —

Los Angeles — Blue Ridge Home Fashions has named John Lin executive vice president of marketing and brand strategy, and acquired the Royal Velvet utility license.

Lin reports to CEO Ning He and works closely with John Crippen (see page 13), newly appointed senior vice president of sales and new account development.

He will be heading the newly formed brand product development team and be responsible for the development of utility bedding products under the new Royal Velvet brand.

Prior to joining Blue Ridge, Lin was a bedding buyer at Robinsons-May and Meier & Frank department stores.

This new license encompasses all RV down and down alternative bed coverings and sleep pillows for North America, Canada and Mexico. It includes white goose down and down alternative comforters, blankets, throws, pillows, featherbeds and fiber beds, as well as solid-color duvet sets and various set configurations. New products will be shown at the upcoming New York Home Textiles Market.

“We are extremely excited to welcome Blue Ridge Home Fashions to the Royal Velvet Family,” added Rick Platt, managing director of Official Pillowtex, LLC.

“This new licensing agreement compliments the existing licensees for the Royal Velvet brand as we continue to execute our strategy to introduce new products into the marketplace.”