NEWS
MAKERS
COMFORTEX APPOINTS CONNERY VP, OPERATIONS
Comfortex Corp., Maplewood, NY, has appointed Peter Connery vice president
of operations. In his new post, Connery will be responsible for the
management of the three Comfortex shade and blind fabrication facilities
in the United States.
Connery is a licensed professional engineer in New York and comes
to Comfortex with more than 34 years of extensive experience in manufacturing
management, most recently as the plant manager of International Paper
Co.’s Hudson River Mill, Corinth, NY.
Connery also has served as a management consultant specializing in
efficiencies and quality improvement in the fabrication process.
WHYTE NAMED ITA VP, MANUFACTURING
ITA, Inc., St. Augustine, FL, has appointed Bill Whyte vice president,
manufacturing, in anticipation of further growth into full-line window
covering product development, manufacturing and marketing. Whyte replaces
Jim Tyner who will step into the newly created position of vice president,
research and development.
Whyte has several years of experience in advanced industrial management
techniques, most recently serving as an operations group manager for
Levolor-Kirsch. At ITA he will be responsible for implementing process
improvements to support new product launches and product enhancements.
He brings to the company proficiency in leading-edge strategies for
improving productivity and efficiency including lean management techniques,
the 5S system of workplace organization and safety and continuous
quality improvement programs.
LEAHY REPLACES FRIEDMAN AT WAVERLY
Waverly, New York, NY, has announced the appointment of Thomas J.
Leahy to vice president of sales, fabrics, Waverly Lifestyle Group.
He assumes the duties previously held by Arthur Friedman who has left
the company.
Leahy will direct the Waverly fabric sales effort in line with the
company’s brand strategy. He will have direct responsibility
for Waverly Place sales to independent retailers, manufacturers, jobbers,
furniture, export and Canada. He brings more than 25 years of experience
to Waverly in the home furnishings industry and brings extensive sales
and converting expertise.
IN MEMORIAM: BARBARA PERKOWITZ
On Saturday, December 9, 2003, Barbara Perkowitz
died from complications after open-heart surgery. Known most recently
in the window fashions industry as the “B” of B&W
Mfg., she had been active in the business since marrying her husband
William (the “W” of B&W) in 1952.
All of Barbara’s eight children have worked in the window fashion
industry at sometime in their lives. Most recently, Bill Jr. was
president of Outlook Window Fashions, Mundelein, IL; Bob was president
of Home Fashions, Inc., holder of both Del Mar and Louverdrape;
Dave is currently the manufacturing manager of B & W, and Tom
is the current marketing manager of B & W. But to all of her
children, Barbara was simply known as Mom.
In the 1950s and ’60s William and Barbara Perkowitz were part
owners of a retail window coverings store, Perkowitz Brothers, in
Wilmette, IL. Even though she had a house full of children, Barbara
sewed and fabricated draperies and valances in her home.
In 1970 both Barbara and William started manufacturing and selling
woven wood shades on a wholesale basis under the name William Perkowitz
Designs. Especially regarded for her fashion sense, Barbara was
responsible for choosing and naming new patterns.
In the 1980s, Barbara and William started anew making vertical blinds
and pleated shades as B&W Mfg. In 1992 Barbara commenced the
renaissance of woven woods by launching what is currently the No.
1 line of woven wood shades, Horizon Natural Shades. To her final
day, Barbara was an active, daily influence on the business. With
her work in the industry and her volunteer work through the church,
she has touched countless lives. Both her family and co-workers
will miss her.
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