Serta Simmons recently partnered with Hire Heroes USA to employ veterans at all of the company’s manufacturing plants with hiring needs, offering career support and job matching to current and former members of the U.S. military and their spouses. Key frontline positions include production supervisors, maintenance mechanics, mattress assemblers and shipping/receiving.
We had questions about the company’s job growth, the challenges it faces and how its gearing up for the future and Steve Holley, Serta Simmons Bedding’s Monroe operations manager, provided answers.
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Q: What sort of job growth has the company experienced post-recession and how much longer do you expect that to last at that level and why?
“According to our trade association, International Sleep Products Association, pent-up demand from the recession is expected to be realized over the next several years, as consumers have delayed replacing their mattresses in a market where replacement accounts for approximately 80 percent of purchases. This increased demand is the primary driver of our more than $100 million investment to expand manufacturing capacity. As part of that investment to meet increased demand, Serta Simmons Bedding is hiring more than 400 people around the country, including 60 in our Monroe facility.”
Q: When did the Hire Heroes USA initiative start and why is it so important for Serta Simmons Bedding?
“Serta Simmons Bedding recently began its partnership with Hire Heroes USA to source current and former members of the U.S. military, and their spouses, and provide them with career opportunities in the private sector. Serta Simmons Bedding is committed to the men and women who have served in the military by providing job transition and meaningful, challenging opportunities where their unique skill sets may be applied.
“Our partnership with Hire Heroes USA is one of many ways that Serta Simmons Bedding seeks to find qualified, dedicated employees for its manufacturing facilities around the country.”
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Q: What are some of the major challenges Serta Simmons Bedding and others manufacturers are facing?
A: "Any company that is hiring faces the challenges of finding qualified people to meet the hiring demand of a growing business. Serta Simmons Bedding is also challenged with evolving the business to meet changing consumer demands and preferences.
“A dedicated and skilled team is behind any company’s substantial growth, and this current and future growth, is driven by Serta Simmons Bedding’s team of approximately 7,000 employees nationwide. Its growth in Monroe is indicative of the facility’s leadership and commitment to manufacturing great products across Serta Simmons Bedding’s brand portfolio. As with many businesses, Serta Simmons Bedding is always searching for qualified men and women to join its workforce.”
Q: What is the company’s vision of growth for the near future?
A: "Serta Simmons Bedding is the largest bedding company in the $8 billion U.S. wholesale bedding industry. We recently announced a more than $100 million multi-year investment to expand our manufacturing footprint in order to meet increased demand. This investment includes plans to open four new, larger manufacturing facilities as part of its network of more than 30 U.S. plants."
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