Universal Furniture CEO to retire

Due to the fact 2008, Scheffer has led Universal Home furnishings, a division of Samson Keeping, taking it from a commodity casegoods maker to a full property useful resource, featuring trend forward appears to be like across several models in the upper center industry phase. He has driven the company’s modernization and enlargement such as a new showroom, a new domestic upholstery application, productive licenses with brand names together with Coastal Living and Miranda Kerr Dwelling, and the introduction of a to-the-trade system for interior designers.

“Jeff’s leadership at Common has been exemplary,” said Samuel Kuo, chairman of Samson Holdings. “Both his eyesight to revitalize the business and his ability to effectively navigate the business by means of unparalleled troubles, including a recession and a pandemic, are laudable.”

Scheffer’s profession comprises thriving govt tenures at Universal Furnishings, (vice president national product sales 1992–1996), American Drew (president 1996-2001), Stanley Home furnishings (president and CEO 2001–2008) and Universal Furniture (president and CEO 2008-2022). His business leadership positions have included chairman of the Substantial Position Current market Authority (2017-2018) and board member of the American Home Furnishings Alliance (2018-2022). Scheffer began his occupation as an assistant purchaser in household furniture for Burdine’s Division Shop in 1978.

“It’s been an honor to do the job with Samuel and Grace at Samson. Their rely on and assistance permitted us to alter the company’s study course and entice a new amount of retailer, even though growing into the inside style and design trade,” Scheffer stated. “I’d like to thank our employees, the individuals that I have worked for and discovered from, and my market colleagues, all of whom have produced this these kinds of a amazing ride.”

On Jan. 1, 2023, Sean O’Connor will presume the presidency of Universal Home furniture. O’Connor, who joined the business in 2011 as vice president of profits, was promoted to senior vice president of revenue in 2017. He has been instrumental in the improvement of Universal’s upholstery application, both equally domestic and imported, and he is a lifelong student of the house furnishings industry, getting used 14 many years at Rowe ahead of moving to Universal.

He commenced as advertising consultant for Tennessee and Arkansas and ended his tenure at Rowe as countrywide income director.

“Leading a firm like Common has been a long-expression aim,” O’Connor mentioned. “Jeff is a fantastic mentor with a broadly-held popularity for private integrity, and it has been an honor to perform with him for the very last 11 a long time.”

“This leadership improve is a planned succession,” reported Scheffer. “Sean and I have put in the last couple of decades operating intently with each other in the day-to-day procedure of the company. He is nicely prepared for this future chapter in his profession.”

“More than anything at all, we want Common Home furnishings to carry on to be regarded as the least complicated enterprise to do organization with,” O’Connor said. “We look forward to ongoing achievements in the future as we build on the relationships, craftsmanship and design and style expertise that has introduced us this considerably.”

“We glance forward to Sean’s tenure as president,” stated Kuo. “We’ve viewed Sean grow and realize success beneath Jeff’s mentorship and we are confident he will support the Universal brand name go on to evolve to aid customer demands.”