Specialty sleep have chance to stand out
By David Perry -- Furniture Today, April 14, 2002
HIGH POINT — Specialty sleep producers are once again in the spotlight. Just a month after showing their wares at the Futon and Specialty Sleep Expo in Chicago, several of the leading producers in that category are setting up shop in High Point.
With the departure of a number of major conventional bedding producers from High Point in recent years, the specialty sleep players once again have the chance to stand out at market.
"It's a wonderful opportunity," said Bob Naboicheck, president of Gold Bond, a major producer of futons that continues to show in High Point. "We happen to be in the right place at the right time."
Gold Bond, which produces futons and innerspring bedding, concentrates on futons in High Point.
"We are focusing on ... our premium futon line that offers features and benefits no one else has," Naboicheck said. The premium futons retail for $249 to $499.
Simmons Futons will be showcasing enhancements to its futon mattress division with two new models, built with Reflex foam and visco-elastic foam. The futons will retail for $199.
Another major futon player, Wolf Corp., is debuting an innerspring futon cushioned with memory foam to provide "an extreme, plush, luxurious comfort," according to the company.
Hickory At Home is showing its full line of futon mattresses and futon frames.
Foam bedding is the story at United Sleep Products, which is showcasing its Foamdamentals program, a custom-designed point-of-purchase material and sales training program designed to help dealers sell United's new visco-elastic and Reflex foam sleepsets.
Foam is also being featured at Otis Bed Mfg. That producer is introducing a pressurized, quad-density foam mattress that will retail at $799 in queen.
Another specialty sleep producer, Comfortaire, is adding to its stable of Healthy Choice products with the Healthy Choice Aire, an air-supported sleep system.
"This mattress combines medical-grade urethane material and a patented new design to create the most advanced air support chamber available today," said Larry Wride, vice president of sales. "The urethane-based material ... combines the benefits of unmatched air retention with a unique ability to let moisture pass through its surface."
The Healthy Choice Aire will retail for $2,299.
Boyd Specialty Sleep is showing a visco-elastic foam mattress that uses a variety of foams that work together "to create a plush, extremely comfortable and totally contouring sleep surface that is like no other," the company said.
Conventional bedding presence
Kingsdown is one of the few conventional bedding producers still showing in the downtown High Point market district. "I would say it has to give us an advantage," said Tom McLean, senior vice president.
This market, Kingsdown is showing new fabrics in quilted versions for its Dormo Diagnostics line and is debuting high-end innerspring units that feature vertical zoning qualities. Also, it is bringing out new latex, visco-elastic and innerspring adjustable beds.
Sales leader Sealy entertains dealers at its Trinity corporate headquarters and showroom, a short drive from downtown High Point.
Sealy's introductions range from the promotional to the better end of the market. The Sealy BackSaver and PosturePremier, which feature thicker profiles, will retail from $79 per piece in twin to $599 for a queen set. The Crown Jewel Special Reserve, in a predominantly rayon cover from Burlington, will retail at $999 in queen. And Posturepedic models are being offered in firm, ultra plush and cushion firm pillowtop constructions.
PureTouch Luxury Latex Sleep Products, marketed by Therapedic licensees nationwide, will be showing its line of latex bedding at the Latin Home Furnishings Center, 1100 Trinity Ave. Retailers interested in seeing the line should call the center for an appointment.
"PureTouch is bringing to our dealers and consumers the ultimate standard in quality latex and components available anywhere in the world," said Stewart Perry, president of PureTouch. "Our latex has ... achieved the highest rating of any other independently tested product on the market."
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