Throughout the past few weeks, multiple articles in local and regional media outlets have highlighted the current work of Heritage Sleep Concepts (HSC). HSC, a mattress manufacturing company located in Armuchee, has ties to Darlington, as the operation is managed by Mr. Frankie Beck and Mr. Barry Simpson. Frankie and his wife, Kristi Spears Beck, are the proud parents of Darlington alumni Jordan (’14) and Jamie (’16). Jordan currently works with the family business, expanding the client base and managing relationships, all the while assisting with the day-to-day operations. Jordan happens to be a former student of mine, and we recently reconnected.
The aforementioned articles highlighted a significant pivot in HSC’s operation: shifting from solely mattress production to also making medical masks to aid the medical community on the front lines. In this shift, HSC has produced masks that are being utilized at Floyd Medical Center. In a time of need and uncertainty, HSC has certainly risen to the occasion.
Not only has HSC shifted their operation, but their family business strives to make a significant impact. Frankie and Jordan realized that a specific mechanism for their machinery would expedite the production of masks, and creating this mechanism via a 3-D printer was the quickest solution. On Friday, April 10, Jordan called me with a favor: he needed the best contact at Darlington, with the hopes of utilizing one of our 3-D printers (one of which was generously donated by Kristen Rachels ’05 and her fiancé, Tom Gatliff). Jordan contacted Mr. Owen Kinney, and by Friday afternoon, the pieces were printed and ready for operation at the production facility.
Darlington thanks HSC for their continued service and ingenuity! And we are especially thankful for the ongoing proof of Darlington connections that are making positive impacts in our communities.
