Premier Bedding Group Appoints Joel Welde To Vice President, Operations

Furniture World Magazine

Premier Bedding Group (PBG), a mattress company and the exclusive North American licensee of Bassett-branded mattresses, has appointed Joel M. Welde to the position of Vice President, Operations, it was announced by Mike Ertel, President and Chief Operating Officer, PBG. Welde's responsibilities include overseeing operations for the company - including its manufacturing, material management, maintenance, purchasing and engineering departments. "Joel's extensive knowledge of the mattress industry, and particularly latex, will ensure that Premier Bedding Group's production and operations are first rate," said Ertel. "We plan on building our company into a leader in the industry and our success certainly depends on the quality of our products. Joel will play a big role in making that happen." Welde has over 10 years of experience in manufacturing and operations. He spent the last five years at Latex Foam Products, most recently serving as Vice President of Operations where he improved profitability by developing and implementing systems to heighten safety, quality, delivery and lower cost. He also served as Plant Manager and Manufacturing Manager for the company. Prior to that, Welde spent five years at the Harrison Division of General Motors Corporation as General Supervisor of Manufacturing. "I am looking forward to working with the outstanding group of people at Premier Bedding Group," said Welde. "I know by focusing on the basics of safety, quality, delivery and cost, we can become one of the best mattress manufacturers in the industry and provide exceptional products and service to our customers." Welde, who holds an MBA from the University of New Haven in Connecticut and a BA from the University of Dayton in Ohio, has relocated to the Tampa, FL area. Premier Bedding Group, headquartered in Tampa, FL, is a mattress company and the exclusive North American licensee of Bassett mattresses. The company's product lines include Carrington Chase by Bassett, Dream Maker by Bassett, Performax and Nature's Rest. PBG was recently formed by LIS Corporation, an investment company with holdings in the bedding, marketing/communications and hotel industries.