Excel offering Chinese bedding
David Perry -- Furniture Today, February 16, 2003
Newark, N.J. — American bedding producer Ira Leibowitz is bringing in containers of Chinese-made mattresses that he said offer superb workmanship — and great prices.
He's starting with seven styles of bedding, all made in China and retailing from $299 to $799 for a queen-sized set.
His company, Sleep Aid Bedding, has been making beds in this country for years. "We are looking for a new trend," Leibowitz said. "How can we bring better value to the market?"
His answer: Import containers of Chinese mattresses for sale to U.S. retailers. His U.S. importing company, Excel Bedding, has established a joint venture with a Chinese bedding producer to serve the U.S. market.
The first shipments arrive this month, and will be inventoried in U.S. facilities for shipment to retailers.
"The mattresses are made as well as or better than the national brands at prices well below the national brands," Leibowitz said. He expects sales of products in the $599 and $699 price range to represent the bulk of his volume.
The line, which features heavier-gauge wire than U.S. models and coil counts of up to 1,200 in queen, will offer high margins to retailers, he said.
Leibowitz, vice president of Excel Bedding, said he's seen the beds being made in China. "There is meticulous attention to detail," he said.
In order to assure the beds meet quality standards, the company has an associate onsite in China, he said.
"Our purchase orders are clearly translated for the various departments and work stations, work-in-progress reports and photos are documented and e-mailed, quality is constantly reviewed and the loading of containers is monitored as well," he said.
Lower labor costs and lower costs of materials are advantages Chinese bedding producers enjoy, according to Leibowitz. The values are so strong that they easily offset the costs of shipping the beds to the U.S.
He is offering mattresses in pillowtop, one-sided and foam-encased constructions. The box springs will be produced in the United States, but Chinese-made box springs also will be available if retailers want them.
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