Home Meridian International Names Jim Kelly President of Solutions
Furniture World Magazine
on
12/1/2006
Home Meridian International (HMI) has named Jim Kelly President of Solutions, a new global sourcing operation of HMI. The new company will develop, source and supply product to growing segments in the furniture industry, including “big box” retailers, mass merchants, buying clubs, specialty stores and the hospitality industry.
Kelly, the former Executive Vice President of Product Development and Marketing for Pulaski Furniture Corporation, is a 39-year veteran in the furniture industry. He is credited with expanding Pulaski’s product portfolio to include accents and licensed brands.
HMI’s new Solutions venture joins Pulaski Furniture, Samuel Lawrence Furniture and Creations as strategic marketing units of Home Meridian International. Kelly will report directly to George Revington, President and CEO of Home Meridian International.
“We are pleased to engage Jim Kelly in this new role. As Solutions’ first president, Jim brings natural leadership as well as his vast network of global relationships and product development experience,” said Revington. “The opportunity to reposition our executive management team for growth is a significant first step toward the future state of HMI as a global company.”
“Solutions will become a one-stop resource capable of delivering a full line of price points, styles and customized furniture for all types of retail customers,” said new Solutions President Jim Kelly. “We can take concepts from the consumer to the retail floor better and faster than any other company, which makes the new division a winning “solution” for everyone involved.”
“Solutions will have the ability to access and leverage Pulaski’s brand development and marketing expertise combined with SLF’s strength in global design, sourcing and distribution logistics, representing one of the most forward-focused, efficient and responsive business models in the world,” Revington added.
About Home Meridian International (HMI)
In September, Pulaski Furniture and SLF (Samuel Lawrence Furniture) merged to form Home Meridian International, a new holding company, and created one of the top 20 furniture manufacturing and import companies in the world1 as well as one of the top ten exporters of case goods in the world. By combining SLF’s speed-to-market and operational advantages with Pulaski’s strength in marketing and brand development, HMI opens a unique space in the furniture industry. The new company’s ability to leverage its synergies in skills, strengths and strategies brings added value to retailers by enhancing the speed-to-market of innovative, branded collections and product lines.
Home Meridian International has east and west coast distribution space totaling more than 1 million square feet, and more than 90,000 square feet of showroom space in High Point, NC. and 25,000 square feet in Las Vegas, NV. The headquarters for Home Meridian International, Pulaski Furniture and the new Solutions operation are in Pulaski, VA, and the headquarters for SLF is in Phoenix, AZ.