Cushion Supplier Names New President, Touts Expansion Plans

January 3, 2017  by Larry Thomas in Executive Changes, Industry   

The company said it has promoted Cristina Kopecky, a 17-year veteran, to president, and also promoted Mark Sedgewick to the newly created post of senior executive vice president for national sales and marketing.

 “We are all very excited about Cushion’s future under Cristina’s leadership,” said Neil Puro, the founder of the company and its most recent president and CEO. “The company’s future focus will be on organic growth with an emphasis on product expansion. Cristina and Mark will also continue to consider strategic alliances or acquisitions that would increase our value proposition to customers.”

The company, a subsidiary of bedding producer Pacific Coast Feather Co., said Puro is relinquishing day-to-day operations, but will remain on the board of directors.

The company said it will begin expanding its manufacturing facilities in Pico Rivera, Calif., and High Point, N.C., in the spring. It also plans to acquire an additional 50,000 square feet of production and warehouse space in the Hickory, N.C., area and hire 30 to 40 new employees, and expand its footprint in the Los Angeles area.

“While we remain open to strategic alliances or acquisitions that would increase the value proposition to our customers, expanding our current facilities is the quickest way to leverage our strong teams in both locations,” said Kopecky.

The company also will invest more than $2 million in new equipment and upgrades to its technology over the next 12 months, she said.

“OEM cushions continue to represent an important market for our company, and the team has done a great job bringing innovative, high quality product to our customers. This upcoming investment in facilities, equipment and people speaks to our continuing desire to be the market leader in this business segment”, said Joe Crawford, president and CEO of parent company Pacific Coast Feather Company.