Brad McNeely & Mike Simmons
As part of a company-wide realignment strategy, Hickory Springs Manufacturing Company, one of the nation’s largest integrated manufacturers and an international supplier of components for the furniture and bedding industries, has announced the creation of two vice president positions.
Brad McNeely has been promoted to Vice President of New Product Development. The position was created to support the company’s development of its new Corporate Innovation and Testing Center. Over the next few weeks, Mr. McNeely will be announcing additional personnel changes to support the development of the Corporate Innovation and Testing Center.
“It’s an honor to be chosen to lead Hickory Springs into a new era of growth and change, “Mr. McNeely said. “Our new Corporate Innovation and Testing Center is an important step in the ongoing diversification of the company and I am excited to be part of the team that will help define the future of Hickory Springs.”
In this new role, Mr. McNeely will be responsible for building and leading an enhanced product development team. This team will be responsible for expanding the company’s product portfolio and taking the company into new markets in the near future.
Mr. McNeely joined Hickory Springs in 1989 as a sales trainee. He previously held the position of Regional Sales Manager and has led the company’s regional sales team as Foam Marketing Manager since 2003.
Mike Simmons will be joining Mr. McNeely at the Corporate Innovation and Testing Center in the newly created position of Vice President of New Business Development. Mr. Simmons will work with Mr. McNeely to develop new products for new markets. He has been with the company for 20 years in a variety of positions, most recently as National Marketing Manager.
“I look forward to working with Brad to carve out new growth markets and revenue streams for Hickory Springs and our customers,” Mr. Simmons said. “It’s an exciting time to be part of the company as we seek new ways to build on our core competencies and continue to expand the Hickory Springs brand.”
“Brad and Mike have earned these promotions and we are excited to have them leading the company’s new product and new business development,” explained Dwayne Welch, Executive Vice President and Chief Sales & Marketing Officer of Hickory Springs. “Their experience and expertise will be instrumental in the ongoing diversification of the company and in shaping the development of our our new Corporate Innovation and Testing Center.”
Both McNeely and Simmons will be located in the newly renovated Corporate Innovation and Testing Center will be located on Deborah Herman Road SW in Conover, NC.
One of North Carolina’s largest employers, Hickory Springs is a privately held company based in Hickory, North Carolina, with more than 50 manufacturing plants in 16 states and China. In addition to its core furniture and bedding markets, Hickory Springs also serves a growing range of customers in the automotive, recreational vehicle, packaging, medical, marine and telecommunications industries.