Martin Ploy New AICO President

May 4, 2010  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on May 5, 2010

Pico Rivera, Calif.-based case goods and upholstery furniture vendor AICO/Amini Innovation Corp. has promoted Martin Ploy to president, replacing Larry Rinaldi who recently retired.

Ploy has been with the company for eight years, and served as executive vice president for the past five years.

Ploy's past experiences included many diverse aspects of the furniture industry. After two years in manufacturing at Maywood Furniture, he learned the retail business during his 17 years at RB Furniture, where he eventually became executive vice president of the 77-store chain. He left to go into wholesale, where he held executive positions with Kanowsky Furniture and BenchCraft Furniture. Ploy then returned to retail as president of Krause's Sofa Factory before joining AICO in 2002.

"Martin's manufacturing, retail, sales, marketing and managerial background has allowed him to know all of the varied aspects of business," said AICO Founder and CEO, Michael Amini in a company announcement. "His broad breadth of experiences has always provided us with a unique and solid perspective as to how we should value our employees, customers and our suppliers, with an aggressive drive and critical eye on building our business for the future. Additionally, he is intimately familiar with the dynamics and unique culture of our company.

"His pleasant personality, and 'do it now' (manner) has achieved great credibility with our employees, sales people and our customers. There are very few people in the furniture industry who don€™t know and enjoy Martin€™s interpersonal style and his intimate caring for both their business and personal success. I have no doubt that Martin's leadership will help take our company to new heights of success with increased consumer awareness, continued growth of customer appreciation and the reputation of attracting the best people available to keep the momentum moving ahead at AICO."

One of Ploys first responsibilities will be to analyze and oversee the strategic realignment of the company, which will include making some key internal moves, as well as adding certain needed positions.

"With the huge success of the recent collaboration between Michael and Jane Seymour, we must stay focused on our furniture merchandising, presentation, marketing and greater recognition of our brand," Ploy said. "We will need to expand our team ... and our thinking about taking our current momentum and using it as a springboard for achieving the next level."

Ploy said he was honored and excited about heading up the AICO organization.

"The wonderful team of people here, the overflowing of talent, and the committed loyalty and pride of everyone is a reflection of the unique leadership Michael provides," Ploy said. "The only thing that exceeds his business acumen and his unending creativity is the enormity of his heart."