ST. LOUIS, Mo., Jan. 7, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Furniture Brands International (NYSE:FBN) today announced progress in several areas on the implementation of its strategic initiative to develop a world class and industry-leading supply chain and logistics operations and to develop stronger Asia-based operations.
Several promotions and re-assignments were announced as the company builds its supply chain team:
* Jimmy Martin has been appointed Managing Director of all Furniture Brands Asia-based operations. In this role, Mr. Martin will head all of the global sourcing efforts for Furniture Brands. He will be stationed in Dongguan, China.
* Davy Whittington has been named Head of Distribution and Logistics. He will manage all logistics programs, company owned fleet operations, and warehouse distribution centers across all of the Brands, and he will lead all negotiations with logistics service providers.
* Jeff Smith has been named Head of Product Development. He will coordinate all product development resources across all of the Brands to ensure that product lead times are reduced and that the company optimizes the performance of all domestic and offshore assets.
* Brian Martin has been named Head of Sourcing Operations. He will be working with each of the Brands to improve product quality and delivery performance while reducing total delivered costs.
* Tara Newman will coordinate import logistics functions, reporting to Davy Whittington. In this role, she will have responsibility for the management of container shipments to domestic and international customers.
Furniture Brands also announced the establishment of Furniture Brands (Hangzhou) Co., Ltd., with an office in southern China that will be the headquarters of the company's Asian operations. Once fully-staffed, the company expects to have 120 employees in that office, coordinating all aspects of the company's Asia-based sourcing activities. Jimmy Martin will manage the office on a day-to-day basis.
Lastly, the company announced implementation initiatives to achieve operational excellence in supply chain and logistics, including: the consolidation of its distribution center operations to drive efficiency and effectiveness in all supply chain operations, both domestically and offshore; the consolidation of all efforts around customs compliance; and the rollout of consolidated container-direct deliveries to larger retailers.
Mike McBreen, Vice President of Logistics and Supply Chain for Furniture Brands said, "We have built our supply chain team with seasoned furniture industry professionals from within our own brands, all working together efficiently and effectively. This organization and the steps we have taken in warehouse consolidation and supply chain improvements will help us simplify and streamline our product development processes and globally coordinate all manufacturing operations and distribution logistics."
Mr. McBreen continued, "Establishing our operating entity, Furniture Brands (Hangzhou) Co., Ltd., will strengthen our presence on the ground in Asia and will enable us to provide significant business benefits to our brands and customers, including: improved delivery, reduced product development lead times, better inventory management and consolidated container direct shipments."
About Furniture Brands
Furniture Brands International (NYSE:FBN) is a vertically integrated operating company that is one of the nation's leading designers, manufacturers, and retailers of home furnishings. With annual sales in excess of $2 billion, it markets through a wide range of retail channels, from mass merchant stores to single-brand and independent dealers to specialized interior designers. Furniture Brands serves its customers through some of the best known and most respected brands in the furniture industry, including Broyhill, Lane, Thomasville, Drexel Heritage, Henredon, Pearson, Hickory Chair, Laneventure, and Maitland-Smith.
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