HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 02-15-2005-6aORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: February 15, 2005
Action Agenda
Item No. 6_ q
SUBJECT: Resolution Honoring Kingsdown, Inc.
DEPARTMENT: Economic Development
PUBLIC HEARING: (YIN) No
ATTACHMENT(S):
Resolution
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dianne Reid, ext 2326
TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Hillsborough 732-8181
Chapel Hill 968-4501
Durham 688-7331
Mebane 336-227-2031
PURPOSE: To recognize Kingsdown, Inc. for outstanding corporate citizenship for the
purchase and renovation of a previously vacant industrial property in Orange County and for its
focus on employees as its most critical resource.
BACKGROUND: Kingsdown, Inc. celebrated its 100`h anniversary last fall, just a few months
after moving the Mebane-based company's mattress manufacturing into the farmer Royal Home
Fashions facility on Oakwood Street Extension in Orange County,
The company has just finished totally remodeling the plant's exterior and grounds, The
Oakwood Street plant includes a large, state-of-the-art fitness area and a cafeteria for
employees. A nurse visits the plant once per week, and physicals and lab work are provided
free on site,
Since 1985, Kingsdown has operated as an employee-owned company. The company, which
still makes mattress sets by hand, employs over 160 in the Mebane/Orange County operation.
Kingsdown has grown from a Southeast regional company to one with distribution in 17
countries and plants in Florida, Virginia, Tennessee, and Oklahoma.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the attached
resolution welcoming Kingsdown, Inc, to Orange County and commending the company for its
exemplary corporate citizenship,
2
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
RESOLUTION HONORING KINGSDOWN, INC.
WHEREAS, Kingsdown began making mattresses in Mebane by hand in 1904, using materials
such as corn husks and horsehair insulation, and
WHEREAS, 100 years later -though the materials have evolved -Kingsdown mattress sets are
still handcrafted, and
WHEREAS, the company has developed and patented the "Sleep to Live" sleep system and
grown from a Southeast regional company to one with distribution in 17 countries within Asia,
the Middle East, Canada, South America, Australia, and Europe, and
WHEREAS, Kingsdown now has facilities in Florida, Virginia, Tennessee and Oklahoma, and
WHEREAS, the company has been employee owned since 1985, governed by an Employee
Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), and
WHEREAS, Kingsdown purchased and completely renovated the former Royal Home Fashion
plant on Oakwood Street Extension in western Orange County last year to house its mattress
manufacturing, and
WHEREAS, Kingsdown employs over 160 employees in its Mebane and Orange County
facilities, and
WHEREAS, the new 80,000 square foot manufacturing facility includes an on-site fitness center,
a cafeteria, and other amenities for its employees;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners
formally welcomes Kingsdown, Inc. to the County and commends the employee-owners of the
company and its Chief Executive Officer Eric Hinshaw for serving as model corporate citizens of
Orange County.
This the 15~h day of February 2005,
Moses Carey, Jr., Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners