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Chinese bedding imports on the grow

Imports are not likely to be a major force in the U.S. market in 2005, but momentum is building

By David Perry -- Furniture Today, February 6, 2005

High Point — Chinese-made mattresses are one of the hottest topics in the bedding industry these days.

A growing number of importers are introducing those mattresses into the U.S. market, and one member of bedding's Big Four, Spring Air, has gone public with its tests of Chinese-made beds in the United States.

Given the impact the Chinese furniture industry already has made in both the U.S. wood and upholstered furniture arenas, no one is denying that Chinese bedding producers will be a factor in this country. What isn't clear, however, is exactly how important Chinese-made beds could become.

At this point, leading U.S. bedding makers generally don't believe that Chinese beds will arrive this year in levels high enough to be considered significant.

"China will continue to grow as a factor in the U.S. bedding market, but 'significant' is probably too strong" a word, said Sealy CEO Dave McIlquham.

"I don't think it will reach the level of being significant in 2005," said Spring Air President Jim Nation. But he was quick to add: "By 2010, it has the potential to be significant."

Similarly, Jimmy Orders, president of Park Place Corp., doesn't think Chinese-made mattresses will be a significant force this year. But, he suggested: "Ask the same question again at this time next year."

With this special report, Furniture/Today is stepping up its coverage of the Chinese bedding scene. We've written a number of stories on this topic in the past few years, but this report marks our most comprehensive examination to date.

In addition to presenting the assessments of more than a dozen domestic bedding producers, we look at the growing number of Chinese bedding lines showing up in the marketplace.

We present an in-depth update on Excel Bedding, a pioneer in bringing Chinese-made beds to the United States. And we also have a question-and-answer session with former Restonic CEO Ed Scott, who is heading up a new Chinese bedding venture.

Also, we explain how some Chinese bedding producers are reducing costs by compressing their mattresses for shipment.

The issues raised in this report are ones that warrant close scrutiny. The China lion cannot be dismissed.

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Chinese bedding imports on the grow

Feb 11, 2005

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