Steve Smith
E.S. Kluft & Co., maker and distributor of the Aireloom and Kluft brand mattresses, has named Steve Smith as vice president of finance. Smith is a financial executive with 20 years experience implementing cost-saving programs for a variety of fast-moving, growth-oriented manufacturing businesses, including the mattress industry.
Smith brings his leadership and proven track record in designing systems that produce exceptional results, cost savings and optimization to Kluft with a goal of streamlining company operations and using advanced financial reporting systems to increase company productivity and profitability.
“We are excited for Steve to bring to Kluft the expertise and cutting-edge ideas that he has put to use at many other high-profile organizations to boost productivity and efficiency which will ultimately increase profits for our company,” said E.S. Kluft & Co. president and CEO Earl Kluft.
At the former Spring Air, Smith worked with Kluft and served as division controller and as a key member of the top management team where he oversaw budgeting, cash management, forecasting, financial reporting and analysis as well as banking and union relations. During his tenure he introduced a high-efficiency lighting system to the plant that saved $16,000 per year and improved brightness at the plant by 30 percent. He also launched a paperless procedure for system reports that resulted in significant savings to the company.
Smith most recently served for five years as controller for Sweda Company, LLC, one of the largest companies in the promotional products industry in the U.S. Smith has also held the position of director of finance for Aquafine Corporation, a manufacturer of ultraviolet water purification equipment, and controller for PTI Technologies, Inc., (a subsidiary of ESCO), a manufacturer of filters for aerospace, commerce and industry.
“I’m thrilled for the opportunity to work with Earl and utilize my experience in the mattress industry to continue to build Kluft as a leader in luxury bedding,” said Smith. “We look forward to our collaboration together to put in place innovative systems to increase Kluft’s bottom line and create superior products.”
Smith is a graduate of University of Southern California in Los Angeles, where he earned a master’s of science in systems management, and he holds a bachelor’s of science degree in accounting from Southern Nazarene University in Bethany in Oklahoma.
In 2004, third-generation mattress maker Earl Kluft founded E. S. Kluft & Co. and created the next hallmark of luxury bedding. Kluft’s Aireloom® designs offer artisanal quality and legacy features such as hand-tied coils and hand side-stitching. Kluft lines feature the most advanced materials, patented designs and technologies available in the world, including the highest quality Belgian jersey knits and damask fabrics, English nested coils, New Zealand Joma wool, natural Talalay latex, bio-based foams, and natural and eco-friendly fibers. Kluft is available in more than 350 select U.S. retailers and internationally. To learn more, visit www.kluftmattress.com and www.aireloom.com.