by Company names industry veteran Vince Nicholson to lead initiative
MEBANE, N.C. — Luxury bedding manufacturer Kingsdown announced it has created a new hospitality division to meet demand in the segment and has hired industry veteran Vince Nicholson to lead the initiative.
He was most recently vice president, sales, hospitality and contract at bedding and furniture resource Rize by Mantua Manufacturing Company, where he led efforts to develop business channels in the hospitality, contract and OEM segments.
Before that he was senior director of mass channels at Serta Simmons Bedding and before that was at Simmons Bedding Company for 19 years, serving as vice president, sales, alternative channels, vice president, sales, hospitality, contract and territory sales manager.
Previously, he was a sales supervisor at Mid Atlantic Medical Services, and before that was a regional sales manager at Mattress Discounters. Earlier in his career he also was a sales manager at Lynnhaven Marine Center in Virginia Beach.
“We see great opportunity in hospitality, which is primed for growth as people return to travel for both business and leisure,” said Frank Hood, president and chief executive officer of Kingsdown. “Occupancy rates have climbed close to pre-pandemic levels, and many in the industry need to now refresh their properties following two years of suppressed purchasing. There is a tremendous need now for mattress replacement. Kingsdown is uniquely positioned to capitalize on the opportunity, and we could not have found a more ideal candidate than Vince Nicholson to lead our initiative.”
The company noted that Nicholson has gotten a good start in his new role by working to launch a hospitality website targeted exclusively to that sector. He also is increasing the company’s participation in major trade show events including HD Expo and BD/NY along with others.
“Our story will focus on Kingsdown’s century-long reputation as a leading manufacturer of quality products, and the brand’s tenets of craftsmanship, comfort, durability, and reliability, all of which are high priorities for buyers in the hospitality industry,” Nicholson said.
“I’m very excited about my new role and the opportunity to promote the Kingsdown brand,” he added. “Their entry into the category could not have come at a better time. Hospitality is returning to pre-pandemic levels; hotels and their buyers need an alternative national brand like Kingsdown. During the pandemic, many customers had to cope with delayed shipments. Kingsdown is cognizant of this and will devote capacity specifically for hospitality while continuing to adhere to the quality construction techniques that sets Kingsdown apart. With strategically located factories across the U.S. and Canada, we have the national distribution capabilities major hotel brands require for on-time and complete delivery, another critical issue for hospitality buyers.”
