Article Number : 2164 |
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| Date | 7/27/2007 11:35:32 AM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=2164 |
| Abstract | Hicksville, N.Y.—In a matter of days, the top officers of prominent laminate and resilient companies suddenly resigned from their posts with no explainations being given... |
| Article | Hicksville, N.Y.—In a matter of days, the top officers of prominent laminate and resilient companies suddenly resigned from their posts with no explainations being given. First, Alloc announced that Claes Wennerth stepped down as president of the company “to pursue other interests.” Then, Amtico International said Chris McKee, who had joined the company earlier this year as CEO of its North American division, left the company. At Alloc, the company said Bengt Rasin, CEO of the Alloc Group, will assume the president’s position. Also, Kevin Murphy, vice president of residential sales, was given the additional responsibilities for commercial sales. Wennerth played an instrumental role in helping Alloc grow in North America, including the establishment of a production facility in Racine, Wis., and national distribution. In fact, the laminate company’s reputation had grown to where this year it won a coveted Award of Excellence as one of the best laminate manufacturers. The awards are sponsored by FCNews and the World Floor Covering Association (FCNews, June 4/11). Despite Wennerth’s departure, Murphy said it will be “business as usual for Alloc, and our customers will not feel an effect. Our business in North America is strong and we’re fully committed and moving forward with exciting opportunities and new cutting-edge designs.” McKee, meanwhile, came over to Amtico in March from Home Depot, where he was general manager of flooring services. A company spokesperson said despite the sudden and quick departure, he “started several important changes that we will continue to implement. He is a talented individual who we are certain will be successful at whatever he chooses to do. We wish him nothing but the best.” As a result, Hugh Pugsley, has been promoted to senior vice president and assumes McKee’s duties, overseeing Amtico’s American sales and marketing operations. He was most recently the company’s vice president of business development. In addition, Amtico announced a major reorganization of its sales and management teams. “The changes are designed to accelerate Amtico’s already impressive growth through a more efficient and effective alignment of talent and responsibilities,” said the spokesperson. Amtico’s sales team has gone from separate commercial and residential groups into a united team. It is headed by Paul Eanes, vice president of sales with Dale Carson, manager of business development, running the national accounts and business development team. The newly named regional managers of the combined sales team include Andy Aldo, Northeast; Kim Apostolos, Southeast; Pete Bilarczyk, Mid Atlantic; Bob Clyburn, Southwest; Jeremy Evarts, Northwest; Jim Gallagher, South Central region; Murray Graham, Canada, and Mark Grimmer, Midwest. The business development group under Carson includes the following national accounts managers: Huiet England, healthcare and education; Tom Gigliotti, hospitality; Phillip (P.J.) Hughes, government; Joe Polito, retail and grocery, east, and Neil Rodden, retail and grocery, west. “Amtico has the luxury of claiming one of the most talented sales and management teams in the flooring industry,” said Eanes. “The new organization enhances the development of our people and expands our sales coverage area, allowing us to serve our customers more effectively.” |