Englander taps Toman
Plans include more brand visibility
By David Perry -- Furniture Today, June 4, 2007
Billerica, Mass. — Kevin Toman, hired last week as president of Englander Sleep Products, says the group is aiming to expand its presence with major bedding retailers.
Englander's licensees run "good local businesses, but they have never had a national presence," said Toman. "They have not been dominant with big-box retailers. We all know that consolidation is coming. You have to go after the big boys, but not lose your base of independent retailers."
He said Englander will develop new products, new marketing materials and a new look. New products and programs will be ready for the next Las Vegas Market, which opens July 30, he said.
Toman fills a president's post that had been vacant for several years at Englander.
"Kevin's industry experience and global perspective will serve us well as we take the brand to a higher, most visible level," said Mark Savel, chairman of Englander's marketing committee, who is based at the Englander licensee here. "Now that this 100-year-old brand is back in the hands of the owners, we are enthusiastic about having a president who can be fully devoted to building upon our many innovations and industry firsts."
Toman has 35 years of bedding experience. He began his career at Simmons and later worked at Sealy, then was president and CEO of a Serta licensee. After that, he was named president and CEO of Restonic, a post he left in 2005. He has done consulting work since then.
Asked why he is returning to the bedding industry, Toman, 60, responded: "I missed it."
Toman said he will be based at the Englander licensee in Billerica, Mass., just north of Boston. Chuck Warshaver, Englander's chairman, operates that licensee. But Toman said he also will spend considerable time on the road.
