Pawtucket, R.I.—CMI (Colonial Mills, Inc.) has announced a drawing among its dealers designed to encourage the use of CMI’s complete up-to-date Rug Sample Centers or Swing Arm Systems as listed on the company’s Web site.

The contest asks that customers simply submit a picture of its updated point-of-purchase sales display via mail or e-mail to be eligible to receive $5,000 in free CMI merchandise. Second an third place winners will receive $2,500 and $1,000 in free merchandise, respectively. All entries must be postmarked by Sept. 30, and the drawing to select the winners will be held at CMI on Monday, Oct. 9.

CMI’s Rug Sample Center displays 32 styles while only using 15-sq.-ft. of floor space, noted Donald Scarlata, CMI’s president and CEO. The company’s Swing Arm Sample System displays its entire line of ovals and rectangles on only eight swing arms. The system consists of 16 rugs with samples and free merchandising aids attached. Both displays feature literally millions of color and design options.

In other news, CMI has promoted Donald Minchello, William Caffrey, Christopher Fanning and Elsa Domingos to the positions of distribution & quality control manager, national account sales manager, manufacturing controller and retail manager, respectively. The appointments were made to keep pace with CMI’s significant growth, said Scarlata.

In his capacity as distribution & quality control manager, Minchello will be responsible for the implementation of lean manufacturing practices and the “5S” system throughout the department, the management of on-time and error-free shipments, quality assurance, receiving and training. He previously was CMI’s national accounts sales manager and materials manager. Prior to joining the company, Minchello was a desktop support analyst for Perot Systems at Harvard Pilgrim Health Care in Quincy, Mass.

Fanning’s responsibilities as national accounts sales manager include overseeing all aspects of sales and service for key accounts, facilitating organic and new sales growth, assisting in the development of sales promotion programs, and conducting customer training seminars. Prior to his new position, Fanning was the company’s retail manager. He previously held a number of sales positions with Cardi’s Furniture in Swansea, Mass.; Sports Display in Santa Margarita in Calif.; and Beantown Packaging in Easton, Mass.

As manufacturing controller, Caffrey is responsible for system input and maintenance, bills of material, inventory control and product costing analysis. After starting his career at CMI in the position of assistant controller and then controller, he rejoined the company in 2003 as accounting manager. Prior to his present condition at CMI, he held the position of controller at several companies, including Plastic Pipe & Supply, Cranston, R.I.; Eastern Felt Co. in Westerly, R.I., and Mossberg Industries in Cumberland, R.I.

Domingos’ responsibilities as retail manager include store operations, customers service, order management and status, inventory and financial reporting. She has previously held sales administrator and manufacturing administrator positions with the company.

For more infomation on CMI and its products, call 800/343-9339.
—Louis Iannaco