Lady Americana offers natural antimicrobial protection
By David Perry -- Furniture Today, April 14, 2002
KENNESAW, Ga. — Lady Americana Associates is introducing all-natural antimicrobial protection in two of its mattress lines.
The Backmaster and Ameri-Care lines will incorporate Fosshield Antimicrobial Technology, which its producer describes as the only all-natural antimicrobial designed specifically for textiles to provide protection against the growth of destructive and odor-causing bacteria, mold and mildew.
The new LAA lines will begin shipping to retailers in June.
The treated fiber blend is being supplied by Western Nonwovens, a producer of nonwoven and highloft products. Tom Taylor, manager of Western's bedding business, said interest in antimicrobial protection is on the upswing. "This is a growing segment for us," he said.
The new lines represent one of the first commercial applications of Fosshield, developed by Foss Mfg. Co. of Hampton, N.H. It uses an all-natural, silver-based compound that provides safer and more effective protection than alternative solutions, according to the producer.
Silver is one of the oldest known antimicrobial agents and has been proven effective in protecting fibers and fabrics against a broad range of bacteria, mold and mildew, according to Foss.
Lady Americana will be touting the benefits of the protection with special point-of-purchase materials. The producer said customers want antimicrobial protection.
"As a veteran in the bedding industry, I've seen a great deal of innovation over the years, and have received feedback from our customers about what features they are looking for in a mattress," said Gene Schayer, president of Lady Americana Associates. "Customers have asked for an antimicrobial mattress and, due to Fosshield, we are able to provide them with a solution that is not only cost-effective, but also all-natural. This technology is a great addition to our existing product line."
Stephen Foss, chairman and chief executive officer of Foss Mfg., said, "We are proud to bring our Fosshield technology to this collaboration, and to an industry whose products play such a large role in people's lives."
Lady Americana plans to market the protection on bedding retailing at $599 and up. It will market the product in the United States and with its licensees in Canada, Mexico and Asia, including its newest licensee in Korea.
Foss said that mattresses "are known to be the ideal environments for bacteria" because of the presence of skin flakes, hair and dust that build up as a result of everyday use. As the bacteria multiply, they can cause unpleasant odors and can cause fibers to break down prematurely, shortening the life of the mattress.
Imbedding Fosshield into the fiber provides permanent protection against that degradation, Foss said. The active antimicrobial ingredient is placed on the "sheath of the fiber" for the greatest exposure to the bacteria, and is not wasted in the core, the company said.
Taylor said his company already supplies synthetic antimicrobial products to a number of bedding producers.
"One key to Fosshield is that it is the only all-natural product," he said. "We are pleased we could work with Foss to bring such a strong product to market with Lady Americana Associates."
The new LAA products are part of the Fosshield Antimicrobial Technology suite of products, being developed for a number of industries. Products currently in development by Foss and its strategic partners include bed linens, pillows, hospital scrubs, wound care products, air filters, automotive upholstery, wall coverings, shoe insoles and cleaning supplies.
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