Mattress industry manufacturer Kingsdown, with headquarters in Mebane, N.C., has appointed Ray Gutierrez plant manager for its Stockton, Calif., facility.
Gutierrez’s responsibilities include overseeing quality management and employee safety, as well as handling certain sales initiatives. He reports to John Farnham, Kingsdown vice president of manufacturing.
“Ray has a tremendous understanding of plant operations and quality control, and he’ll be an excellent leader for our California plant,” Farnham said. “His expertise is crucial to this operation because Kingsdown’s Stockton facility has been a true start-up, producing product for only a year and half now. While we opened the plant with the help of Kingsdown veterans, our goal was always to bring in a new leader with local ties to the community. With his extensive industry contacts, we believe Ray will really help this operation to thrive and grow.”
Gutierrez is an industry veteran with two decades in the bedding industry. Most recently, he was a facility manager for an Englander licensee. He was instrumental in implementing and refining safety and quality initiatives at multiple plants. He also has thorough training in lean manufacturing, as well as considerable contacts and expertise in purchasing.
“The Kingsdown name is synonymous with quality, and that’s why it was so important to hear Ray espouse his dedication for creating a top-notch product,” said Frank Hood, Kingsdown president and chief executive officer. “He has already excelled in this role within the industry, and we believe he can only strengthen our operations in California.”
