Restonic, Bedford part ways in Canada; new licensee sought
By Michael J. Knell -- Furniture Today, February 1, 2004
TORONTO — Bedford Furniture here plans to discontinue production of the Restonic bedding line, prompting the Chicago-based mattress maker to seek a new Canadian licensee.
Both companies said the parting was amicable, and that by concentrating on core businesses both could grow in the Canadian market.
Gary Baskerville, vice president of sales and marketing for Bedford, which also holds the master license for King Koil bedding in Canada, said, "After several years of effort, we were unable to develop significant incremental business (with Restonic)."
Restonic President Ed Scott said he is talking with several Canadian factories and hopes to announce a new Canadian licensee before the International Sleep Products Assn. Expo in late March.
"We're looking for someone who will be able to spend substantial time developing the brand," Scott said. "In an ideal world, we would have a single supplier with several factories across the country. We need … distribution that gets product to retailers in a timely way."
Until the early 1990s, Restonic was made and marketed in Canada by the now-defunct Queen City Bedding and enjoyed considerable success.
Restonic currently is being sold by about 100 Canadian retail accounts, Scott said, a number he believes can be significantly expanded. Bedford will continue to supply them until a new producer is found.
Scott said late last month he planned to retire as Restonic president and CEO, but would remain until a successor is named, also serving as a consultant for international business until a transition is completed.
Bedford's Baskerville said that, in many ways, Restonic and King Koil fill the same niche in the Canadian market, and retailers were reluctant to carry both brands.
Bedford recently launched several initiatives, including its Jaclyn Smith line, the True-2-Form collection, the Body Break gallery and a luxury foam line called Natural Response.
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