by HIGH POINT — HTL, a global source of upholstered furniture, has named industry veteran Chuck Welch as vice president of business development.
Welch, who brings a more than 35-year background in home furnishings to the company, succeeds Michael Ling, who has been promoted to vice president of sales and operations.
Prior to joining HLT, Welch spent much of his career in key leadership roles at Klaussner Home Furnishings and brings subsequent experience and expertise in product management, sales, retail trends and strategic growth.
HTL has recently expanded its production capabilities with a new factory in Vietnam. This move, the company says, enables HTL to offer its “high-quality products at competitive prices, avoiding the 25% tariff applied to goods produced in China.”
In just six months of operation, the Vietnam facility has seen a rapid growing demand from both existing and new customers, prompting HTL to significantly increase production capacity.
“Customer response from our Vietnam facility has surpassed all expectations,” said Steven Tan, managing director, USA. “We’re in process of tripling production capacity over the next 12 months to meet this growing demand. Chuck’s appointment is timely, as his leadership will be instrumental in driving our business forward.”
According to HTL, while at Klausner, Welch managed a sales team responsible for $130 million in volume, spearheaded e-commerce strategies and oversaw leather product management.
The company added that Welch’ deep understanding of the industry and proven ability to foster long-term customer relationships will play a vital role in HTL’s growth strategy, particularly as the company expands its U.S. presence supported by its Vietnam production.
In his new role, Chuck will focus on capturing new market opportunities and driving further growth. “HTL offers an array of styling that is suitable for a diverse range of today’s consumers,” Welch said. “The extensive selection of fabrics, leathers and functional designs will surprise customers who haven’t shopped HTL in a while.”
HTL’s global manufacturing footprint includes facilities in China, Italy, India and Vietnam, as well as its own leather tannery. The company offers a wide range of upholstered furniture, including motion and stationary sofas, recliners, accent chairs, sleepers and upholstered beds. The Vietnam expansion is a key part of HTL’s broader global strategy, enhancing its ability to serve customers efficiently and meet evolving market demands.
