Gordon Blackwell
Manufacturer Symbol Mattress, based in Richmond, Virginia, has hired Gordon Blackwell to the new position vice president of continuous improvement.
Blackwell is responsible for identifying, analyzing and implementing changes to Symbol’s quality assurance procedures, safety standards, facilities management, material and production flows, and lean manufacturing practices, according to a news release.
He reports to both Ron Clevenger, Symbol president, and Mike McQuiston, executive vice president.
“We’ve been growing very rapidly and, to keep moving forward, it was time to broaden our executive management team,” Clevenger said. “The rapid changes in our business and industry demand that we seek new and better ways to improve. Gordon’s broad background in all aspects of lean manufacturing, quality control, plant safety, robotics, material qualification and plant layout will not only help us improve, but will optimize our performance.”
Most recently, Blackwell worked as engineering manager with LL Building Products Inc., a subsidiary of GAF Corp. Prior to that he was a manufacturing technology associate for Dow Roofing Systems LLC, and a vice president of operations for Stevens Roofing Systems.
Blackwell also has two decades of experience as a corporate safety manager, division engineer, plant manager and director of engineering for former textile producer J.P. Stevens & Co.
