Luxury bedding manufacturer Kingsdown Inc. has appointed Gene Pierce as its global chief operating officer.
Pierce is responsible for managing day-to-day operations, providing strategic guidance, and overseeing daily administrative and operational functions. He reports to Frank Hood, president and chief executive officer of Kingsdown, headquartered in Mebane, North Carolina.
“Everyone in our industry can appreciate the value a seasoned operations leader brings to an organization,” Hood said. “The challenges from supply chain to labor have never been greater, and we are fortunate to have someone like Gene on our team to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our organization.”
Pierce most recently worked with United Furniture Industries in Tupelo, Mississippi, one of the largest furniture producers in the U.S. and parent company of Lane Home Furnishings. For seven years, he held various senior leadership roles, including vice president of operations and vice president of manufacturing. During his time there, Pierce managed a network of 15 facilities that spanned more than 9 million square feet of production and distribution space.
He started his professional career working in the automotive industry, moving onto sporting goods, industrial lighting and ultimately furniture manufacturing in 2009. Pierce spent six years at well-known, high-end manufacturing companies Philips Lighting and Furniture Brands International.
“I have had the privilege to work for some of the leading brands in the home furnishings space over the course of my career and am honored to join Kingsdown with its rich heritage for producing high-quality products,” Pierce said. “The Kingsdown team has so much talent and energy, which translates into great results for our customers. It is an exciting time for our industry and The Kingsdown Group.”
Pierce received his bachelor’s degree in business administration and management, and his Master of Business Administration from Mississippi State University. He recently relocated from Mississippi to Mebane, North Carolina, where he will reside with his wife, Susan.
