Saxon to become Culp CEO in May

HIGH POINT — Rob Culp will step down on May 1 as CEO of fabric supplier Culp Inc., a job he has held

since 1988, and will be succeeded by President Frank Saxon, the company announced Monday.
Culp will continue as chairman, which he has been since 1990.
Culp has been with the company since its inception in 1972, will remain actively involved in key customer and industry relationships.
Saxon, who has been president since 2004 and will continue in that position, joined Culp in 1983 as corporate controller and has been chief financial officer, senior vice president and then president of the former Culp Velvet/Prints division, and executive vice president.
He was elected to the board of directors in 1988.
“Frank Saxon is well prepared and exceptionally well qualified to become chief executive officer of our company,” Culp said. He added that in recent years Saxon “has been instrumental in bringing about the significant strategic and operational changes that have allowed the company to survive and progress through a rapidly changing industry environment and, as a result, Culp is now well positioned to succeed in a highly challenging international market.”
Saxon said, “It is a privilege to take on this new role with the company and continue the tradition of excellence set by Rob Culp and his family. Rob has played a vital role in the growth and success of Culp since he started the business with his father, Robert G. Culp Jr. and Howard Dunn in 1972 … and under his leadership the company has grown into one of the world’s largest marketers of mattress fabrics for bedding and upholstery fabrics for furniture.”