Contemporary upholstery maker Weiman/Preview said it has hired Michael Gennet, former president of upholstery manufacturer Lazar and of the San Francisco Mart, as a consultant.

Gennet will be liaison between the company and accessories company

Interlude Home, which recently purchased Weiman/Preview from Bassett Furniture.

Gennet said that he will continue to work with other clients on ongoing projects, but will focus most of his attention on Weiman/Preview for the next five or six months.

“That’s the immediate time frame, and how long that relationship continues or in what capacity I will serve will be determined by how successful we are between now and the end of the year,” he said.

“My role is to work with Carl Phillips (Interlude’s president) and his staff on strategic planning for the company: What does Weiman/Preview want to be? How can we improve the business? How can we broaden our distribution? How can we be a better contemporary company?”

Gennet’s has experience in strategic business planning, marketing, sales and product development, all areas he will be involved in at Weiman/Preview.

“Michael’s knowledge of quality contemporary upholstery and his national retailer relationships will be invaluable to the Weiman and Preview brands,” said Phillips. “He will be instrumental in combining the strengths of our two companies and will help us integrate Weiman’s fine upholstery with Interlude Home’s contemporary, occasional and accessory products.”

Gennet headed Lazar from October 2003 to June 2012, and earlier was president of the San Francisco Mart for more than 10 years.  – Furniture/Today