Furniture Today // Bobby Dalheim //Senior Editor of Case Goods and Global Sourcing//September 2, 2024
After doing anything professionally for 27 years straight, it takes great courage to embrace change.
Tim Newlin worked at Flexsteel for nearly three decades, beginning as a sales trainee before working his way up to national sales manager. He eventually ran the entire home furnishings division and gathered additional responsibilities in product development, marketing and overall strategy. To put it lightly, his role was pivotal.
Newlin’s name became synonymous with Flexsteel, and he was often the point of contact for many outside the company.
Then came a big change: This year, he opted to take the top job at renowned upholstery manufacturer Norwalk. He’s working to fill the shoes of industry icon Caroline Hipple, who took an executive position at Hooker.
As Norwalk CEO, Newlin heads up an employee-owned company with more than 270 employees and a 440,000-square-foot plant. His 120-day goal was to meet with customers, reps and employees.
“That’s always the best way to learn: ask questions, see things with my own eyes,” he said at the time. “I’m excited to do that and experience it, and the No. 1 goal is to be involved in all of the places I need to be.”
Newlin wants to have a hand in all aspects of the business.
“We have been able to move fast and implement some of my ideas quickly, and the team has been very receptive and supportive,” he told Furniture Today. “I love that these quick improvements have been in almost all areas of the business, from manufacturing, to procurement, to the front end of the business with product and marketing. It is a fantastic team of people who want to do great work.”
He hopes to bring some of his Flexsteel achievements over to Norwalk.
“Sales growth, customer/supplier relationships and people development are my proudest accomplishments at Flexsteel,” he said. “I had the most fun developing some great product over the years domestically and in Asia.”
Newlin says companies must keep up the energy to stay above water when business is tough.
“I am bullish even in this tough environment. We have a really great plan for October market and have been making some improvements in the way we do business which our customers are responding to. The to-the-trade business has also been strong and is growing.
“You have to push through these economic headwinds and go take market share. I am running on adrenaline and the excitement of being the new guy, and the team has a really positive outlook for when the business conditions improve.”
