Peter Deveny was born in Melbourne but grew up on a dairy farm. His career began in the sporting goods industry working in his family-owned sports stores before eventually moving on to the wholesale side of the industry. In 2005, he decided he wanted a change of scenery and started a role with Sleepmaker in Melbourne, before jumping over to AH Beard in April 2009.
“AH Beard had a reputation as being a great place to work, family-owned and with terrific values and ethics. It turned out to be a good decision to move,” Deveny.
Deveny’s current role at AH Beard is group manager commercial. The diverse role consists of people management, working alongside customers, managing marketing strategy, as well as the all-important product and range development.
Working closely with the company for so long, Deveny has had his eyes on lots of innovations and developments.
“AH Beard led the industry with the use of advanced, high-performance comfort materials such as latex. Many of our hotel customers are using our patented Reflex Pocket Coil technology and seeing the rewards from its incredible comfort and performance.”
The Pocket Coil is now the preferred technology for global and local hotel chains, with several different variants of the technology covering the spectrum of property types.
“We are also developing a range of products featuring individual user adjustment for different feels and comfort level. Look for this to be something that the hospitality market starts to use in the not too distant future.”
Deveny has witnessed first-hand the industry’s boom and sees it as potential for suppliers and operators to make their mark.
“It’s clear that we are seeing hotel development on a scale that we haven’t had for many years, across both Australia and New Zealand. As we become an ever more appealing choice for travellers who are looking to have an environmental experience that they can’t get in their own country, we can’t just hang our hat on the natural beauty of our landscapes.”
Every part of the industry should aim to make the guest experience as great as possible, and every guest needs a bed.
“Guests are demanding greater comfort and performance wherever they stay, so what was a 5-star bed ten years ago is now a long way off the pace.”
AH Beard supplies thousands of customers across the accommodation sector. It is the sole supplier of hotel groups like Rydges who have partnered with them for over ten years, as well as Stamford Hotels and Resorts, SKYCITY and Art Series Hotels. Furthermore, they are the preferred supplier to global brands like Hilton, Marriott, IHG, Best Western, Choice Hotels and several others.
To get in contact with Peter Deveny call +61 3 8353 7800, email peterd@ahbeard.com or to learn more about AH Beard visit www.ahbeardcommercial.com.
