Flexsteel Industries has named Jerald K. Dittmer president and CEO effective Dec. 28. Dittmer, a leader in the office furniture industry, is a veteran of HNI Corp., a publicly traded company and leading global office furniture manufacturer.
“After conducting a thorough search and interviewing many qualified candidates, Jerry Dittmer was the clear and unanimous choice of our board of directors to become the eighth corporate president in Flexsteel’s 125-year history,” said Thomas M. Levine, Flexsteel chairman. “Jerry’s industry knowledge and operational leadership at one of the largest and most successful U.S. furniture companies will uniquely position our company for enhanced growth, performance and shareholder value creation while maintaining the culture that has been the hallmark of Flexsteel since its inception.”
“I am honored to join an organization that has a long history of product innovation and customer service,” said Dittmer. “I am excited about the prospects for growth within the furniture industry and am confident that Flexsteel is well positioned for continued growth and shareholder value by exceeding our customer’s expectations with a quality product.”
Dittmer comes to Flexsteel with more than 25 years of experience in the furniture industry including leadership positions with HNI and its subsidiaries. Most recently he served as president of the HON Co., a large office furniture designer and manufacturer. Appointed president of HON in 2008, Dittmer positioned the $1-billion business to weather the Great Recession and grew Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (EBIT) and gross margins to greater than pre-Recession levels by realigning the manufacturing footprint and transforming go-to-market capabilities resulting in significant profitable sales growth in a three-year period.
Dittmer also proactively recognized the changing market dynamics within the industry and led HON’s e-commerce initiatives from infancy to a significant revenue and profit contributor. Additionally, he led a strategic acquisition that enabled next day shipping of value-priced seating and simple furniture solutions while developing an expansive offering of unique on-trend products to the market through e-tailers, independent dealers and national supply dealers resulting in significant growth.