Independent producer Bowles Mattress Co., headquartered in Jeffersonville, Indiana, has named nonfamily members to its senior management team. Former president Billy Bowles, son of the company founders George and Opal Bowles, now is chief executive officer. Scott Armstrong was promoted from vice president of sales and marketing to president, and Justin Lemonds moved up to the new post vice president of operations.
Billy Bowles is an owner, along with his sisters Alice Hartley and Karen Ritter, of the family-held business founded in 1975. As chief executive officer, he takes a step back from day-to-day operations to focus on finance, compliance, charitable causes and special projects.
Armstrong, who has 36 years in the furniture and mattress industries, joined Bowles Mattress in 2005. In his new post, he is responsible for the company’s growth, direction and profitability. He also continues to maintain customer relationships forged during his 16-year tenure as vice president of sales and marketing.
“I would like to thank the Bowles family for this opportunity to be named the next president of Bowles Mattress,” Armstrong said. “It is my honor to work with all the Bowles team members and our valued retailers to continue the great tradition and growth of this wonderful company.”
Formerly production manager for the previous 11 years, Lemonds joined the company in 1993 and has held numerous roles.
Lemonds said: “I appreciate the Bowles family for giving me this opportunity, and I look forward to serving in my new role as the vice president of operations. I would also like to thank our excellent production and office staff for all they do in keeping our company running smoothly. I couldn’t ask for a better group of people to work with.”
“I met with Scott for months as he prepared for this change,” Billy Bowles said. “My family and I are excited and confident in his plan for the future of the company. Scott and Justin are both long-term Bowles employees and have great respect for the legacy of the company my parents founded.”
Bowles Mattress has distribution within a 200-mile radius of its Jeffersonville factory and produces hundreds of mattresses each week for residential retail, as well as the hospitality, education, transportation/trucking and health care segments. The company also makes custom mattresses, such as replacement mattresses for waterbeds, sleeper sofas and antique bedsteads.
