Visco-elastic foam still the rage in bedding
By David Perry -- Furniture Today, April 25, 2005
High Point — Call this another Visco market.
Visco-elastic foam bedding is once again the rage in bedding here, from industry sales leader Sealy to visco sales leader Tempur-Pedic.
Those two heavyweights offer the most eagerly anticipated visco introductions.
Sealy is officially introducing its Posturepedic TrueForm, a visco-core product retailing for about $1,699 in queen.
"TrueForm represents the latest development in our ongoing quest for the highest quality sleep," Sealy says in its point-of-purchase materials. "It's no secret that everyone ... has a different interpretation of comfort. Which is why the idea of a mattress that is custom-fit to your body is so appealing."
TrueForm is priced below key competitors' visco models, Sealy says.
Tempur-Pedic, which offers three visco beds in its short but potent line, is introducing "an exciting new mattress," said David Fogg, president of the company's retail division, declining to give details.
Visco foam will be used in to cushion a number of bedding lines. Englander's new "e-sleep Synergy" foam line, for example, is cushioned with visco-elastic and latex foams. Gold Bond features visco in its Visco Opulence futon, and in its Prestige Elegance innerspring model, retailing at $3,000.
Thurmo-Sleep USA is debuting a line of latex beds with visco toppers, with retails starting at $1,499.
Rod Whitney, president of Thurmo-Sleep, said the combination of visco and latex offers "a more luxurious feel than if you put visco on polyurethane." Thurmo-Sleep shows at 335 S. Main St.
Thurmo-Pudic USA is rolling out what it calls second-generation visco foams in its Radisson space.
Bemco's expanded MemoryRest visco line carries suggested retails from $599 to $1,599.
Carolina Mattress Guild is debuting a $599 visco bed in its growing visco line, said President Neal Grigg. He said the producer has strong offerings at the key price points in that category.
Strobel Technologies, a veteran in the visco arena, is showing its Supple-Pedic Deluxe line of visco beds. President Mark Strobel said the amount of visco in the beds increases from three inches to 4.5 inches to six inches on the top model.
"The thin stretch cover allows the visco to be felt when lying on the bed, and its action to be seen when pushed on," he said.
Strobel also offers a 3-in-1 bed display for dealers.
Garme USA, entering the U.S. market, includes visco models in its line of compressed, vacuum-packed mattresses, shipped from Spain. That company shows at its office and warehouse at 1914 Allegheny St. in High Point.
