Bacova realigns leadership, outlines new business strategy

HTT Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 1/21/2013 1:39:08 PM

Covington, Va. - Longtime rug and bath coordinates supplier The Bacova Guild Ltd. is realigning its business, establishing a new operating structure steered by newly assigned senior leadership team.

Charlie Bowers, who has served as Bacova's president for the past 23 years, is stepping down from his post at the end of this month.

He will be replaced - as of Jan. 26 -- by Phillip Essig, who currently serves as ceo of Ronile Inc., the parent company of Bacova.

In tandem with this shift of command, the company is being reorganized so that - effective today - it now operates under to two major businesses -- Bacova Bath and Bacova Floor.

Bacova's new business model concentrates on design-focused imported models to meet trends. Manufacturing operations at its facility will cease, other than heat transfer printing to add design and trend value to sourced products.

The company said its "expertise in supply chain management and fulfillment" enables it to service its national customer base effectively and efficiently from its state-of-the-art distribution facility.

Bacova Bath will sell matching bath accessories, including but not limited to toothbrush holders, soap dishes, tumblers, tissue cubes, lotion dispensers, shower curtains, shower curtain hooks, wastebaskets, embellished towels, and fashion cotton bath rugs under the Bacova and private-label brands. And Bacova Floor will sell accent rugs and floor mats under the Bacova and private-label brands.

"Our new streamlined business model is the right operational structure as we seek to leverage our core competencies and grow our market position," said Essig. "I look forward to working directly with our new leadership to meet the demands of today's marketplace with the high-quality, design-forward products that Bacova is known for."

Kathy Fowlkes is leading Bacova Bath as director of design and marketing. She has more than 32 years of experience in the fashion/design and home accessories industries, including nine years with Bacova as design director and business manager - bath accessories and, previously, management positions with Burlington Industries and JCPenney.

"Her experience in product design and development, effective product sourcing, and maintaining and developing new customer accounts will serve Bacova Bath well as she leads the business segment to source and develop products that ensure retailers' offerings are trend-right, competitive and meet margin goals," the company said.

Dave Woods is heading Bacova Floor as director of design and marketing. His career spans 28 year of experience in the home furnishings industry, including 17 years as the general manager of Bacova and, previously, in management positions with Burlington Industries and ConAgra.

Rick Lewis now serves as national sales manager for both Bacova Bath and Bacova Floor. He has worked for more than 37 years in the home textiles industry, including nine years as national sales manager with Bacova and, previously, as a division vice president with Fieldcrest Cannon and as national sales manager for Hillcrest and East Asia Textile Ltd. He also has owned his own product sourcing company.