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Simmons, King Koil affirm support for ISPA

By David Perry -- Furniture Today, February 13, 2005

High Point — Top 10 bedding producers Simmons and King Koil have affirmed their support for the International Sleep Products Assn.

Executives at the companies shared their views on ISPA membership in statements they submitted to Furniture/Today.

Said Bob Hellyer, president of Simmons: "As leaders, we feel a responsibility to assist the mattress industry in growing and moving forward in areas such as advocacy and education. ISPA and its 700-plus constituents in the mattress industry need professional representation in these areas. Hopefully, the companies who have resigned from ISPA recently will benefit from these programs and appreciate the value ISPA brings to the industry."

Larry McKay, president of King Koil, said he appreciates Simmons' support of ISPA. Here is the full text of his statement:

"King Koil has been a member of ISPA and before ISPA, the National Assn. of Bedding Manufacturers, for many years. While we are concerned with the recent resignations of Serta, Sealy and Leggett & Platt from ISPA, we feel a strong commitment to the mattress industry and the association that represents our industry.

"The mattress industry is a $5.6 billion dollar industry (ISPA year-end estimate). When leading companies in the industry file annual reports to their stockholders, or file an offering circular for the sale of their company, or file a public offering, they take great care to speak to the strength and stability of our industry. They talk about rising sales, growing unit demand, rising average unit selling price, consistent growth, and the profitability of the category. In these communications, the industry performance is important, and yet, making an investment in that industry's trade association simply doesn't provide a return on investment. Many people and companies in our industry have made investments in both time and money, over the past 100-plus years, that are currently paying dividends to our industry today.

"I personally appreciate support of ISPA by the Simmons Co., and hope that all bedding manufacturers and suppliers in the association will work together for the long-term benefit of our great industry."

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King Koil affirms "strong commitment" to ISPA

Feb 7, 2005

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