King Koil reorganizes
McKay takes on international duties
By David Perry -- Furniture Today, January 13, 2003
Hinsdale, Ill. — King Koil President Larry McKay has added international duties to his job description in a reorganization at the Top 10 bedding company.
The move follows the recent retirement of longtime executive Ernie Friedman, who had been heading the international licensing business. Friedman, a former president of the International Sleep Products Assn., will continue as a King Koil board member and consultant.
"We all appreciate the building of King Koil's international business that Ernie Friedman's leadership and direction has accomplished over 20 years," said Garret Weyand, King Koil board chairman.
Weyand said that in order to improve "the effectiveness and coordination" of King Koil's international and domestic businesses, both those operations will be under McKay, who has been handling the domestic business since he joined the company in 2001. King Koil's David Roberts and Maury Knowlton also will now work in international.
"My executive team and I are excited to assume responsibility for King Koil's international business," McKay said. He said he plans to bring the same partnership attitude to the international licensees as he has brought to the domestic licensees.
Friedman began his career in the bedding industry in 1957 with Englander. He later was Serta Mattress Co.'s sales manager in Detroit, then joined King Koil in 1977 as head of marketing and general sales manager. He became president in 1982.
Friedman served on the ISPA board from 1980 to 1990 and was elected ISPA president in 1988. He was also a member of the Better Sleep Council from its inception and was its chairman in 1990.
"I feel very fortunate to have a wonderful group of friends in so many parts of the world, and I will cherish the memories of the past 25 years," he said.
