Buca di Beppo Expands with Second Kentucky Restaurant … and More Industry News

MANAGEMENT CHANGES

Nike Inc. (Beaverton, Ore.) named Roger Wyett, president of its affiliates, as new vp of action sports with responsibility for the brand’s skateboarding and snow businesses, as well as Hurley Intl. Sandy Bodecker, the current vp of action sports, will now work on special projects involving long-term product innovation.

Office Depot (Boca Raton, Fla.) announced that Kevin Peters, president, North America, is leaving the organization, effective immediately. Neil Austrian, chairman and ceo, will oversee the company’s North American business.

Vision Quest Lighting (Ronkonkoma, N.Y.) appointed Mark Donnelley as director of operations at the custom-lighting manufacturing company. Donnelley has more than 20 years of experience in the industry as owner of Morrison Lighting, a high-end, decorative light fixture design and manufacturing firm located in Northern California.

FRCH Design Worldwide (Cincinnati) has added two new staff members. Brett Paguirigan has joined FRCH as senior project coordinator in the hospitality studio, and
Erin Boyer has joined the company as interior designer in the hospitality studio after working with FRCH on a contract basis since 2011.

Atlanta-based Carter’s Inc. has promoted Brian Lynch, executive vp and brand leader, to president of Carter’s Inc. He will report to chairman and ceo Michael Casey and will be responsible for leading the company’s merchandising, design and marketing teams, as well as its wholesale, retail and ecommerce businesses.

Leggett & Platt Store Fixtures Group (Chicago) has hired Matthew Purrington as project director, responsible for expanding new business efforts. The company also announced that Russ Otten is returning to the organization as vp of national accounts. He will be responsible for growing business with Leggett's current national retail customers, as well as developing new national business accounts.

International lighting executive Per Langholz has been appointed non-executive chairman of the Nualight Group, an Irish-based LED lighting technology specialty company. Langholz is the former president of Sylvania Lighting Intl. and has more than 25 years of experience in the lighting industry.

STORE OPENINGS
Family-style Italian restaurant Buca di Beppo will unveil its second Kentucky location this month with a new restaurant at Florence Mall in Florence, Ky. The restaurant will seat 220 guests and feature its signature quirky decor, complete with irreverent photographs, strings of multi-colored decorative lights, gingham tablecloths and over-the-top service.

Joe’s Jeans has opened a pair of Southern California stores: Melrose Place and South Coast Plaza, reports Women’s Wear Daily.

BUSINESS BRIEFS
Alpena, Mich.-based Panel Processing Inc. purchased the assets of Modular Wood System (Claudeville, Va.), a producer of slatwall for various markets inclusive of distribution and store fixtures. The acquisition will augment Panel Processing’s existing slatwall business and allow the company to better service the mid-Atlantic geographical area.

Lightfair International (Atlanta) will expand its product presentation and increase its scale in 2013 with the addition of two high-profile categories occupying newly added Hall F space in Philadelphia’s Pennsylvania Convention Center. The 2013 additions of solar power and software will advance the show’s footprint to produce the largest trade show in LFI’s 23-year history. The Lightfair trade show and conference is scheduled for April 23-25. For more information, visit www.lightfair.com.

New York-based Lifestyle/Trimco, a manufacturer of mannequins, forms and holiday decor, has acquired Viaggio, a fabric display company.

Global infotainment and audio company Harman Intl. Industries Inc. acquired specialty lighting company Martin Professional A/S (Aarhus, Denmark). The transaction is expected to close in first quarter 2013.

The Great American Hanger Company/Hangers.com has been acquired by International Hanger (Austin, Texas), a provider of custom clothes hangers to major retailers, high-profile designer brands and hotels. As part of the agreement, The Great American Hanger Company’s employees and business office in Miami, Fla., are now part of International Hanger.