Frette Appoints New Chief Executive Officer

Home Textiles Today Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 8/24/2011 5:35:57 AM

MONZA, MILAN, ITALY - Longtime luxury linens international source Frette has appointed Laurence Franklin as its new ceo.
     The more than 150-year-old company said Franklin brings to his new post more than 25 years of career experience in international management in the fashion, cosmetics and accessories industries.
     "Franklin has a consistent record of creating successful, high performing businesses and valued brands, and working constructively with private equity and institutional investors," Frette noted.
     As ceo, he will work closely with Jeff Hansen, partner of JH Partners, Frette's controlling shareholder and chairman of the company.
     Franklin started his career at Peat Marwick Mitchell in finance and accounting, and then moved to the management consulting services group at Price Waterhouse & Co. in New York. In 1986, he joined Tumi Inc. where, through 1992, he helped direct the emerging brand through a ten-fold growth rate that saw it develop as a leader in its sector.
     In 1993, Franklin became president of Coach Leatherware. In 1996 he became general manager and executive vp of the cosmetics businesses of Unilever, managed through the Elizabeth Arden division. Then in 1999, he rejoined Tumi - first as president and then in 2002 as its ceo.