Simmons' Ling makes list of 50 notable innovators
By David Perry -- Furniture Today, April 10, 2005
Atlanta — Kurt Ling, vice president of innovation at Simmons, is keeping some fast company these days.
The marketer, who spearheaded the creation of the Simmons HealthSmart bed, which features a removable and washable mattress top, was recently named to Fast Company's 2005 Fast 50 list.
That list is a compilation of 50 individuals whose innovations and achievements brought about significant changes in their industries in the past year.
Ling, 41, was included in the New Ideas section of the list, where he rubbed shoulders with executives from the likes of Cisco Systems and Dell Imaging and Printing.
The entry on Ling, titled "Going to the Mattresses," says in part: "When Kurt Ling heard that his customers were doing everything from vacuuming to using baking soda to remove grime, mites and other nasties — while others kept calling and e-mailing to ask how they could wash their mattresses — he listened."
The magazine quoted Ling on how it wasn't easy to bring the innovation to the market:
"It affected almost every single area of our company," he said.
Fast Company's editors selected the Fast 50 by evaluating information from an online application, examining ratings of applicant entries by visitors to the Fast Company Web site, and conducting interviews with the candidates.
The HealthSmart bed, which is now rolling out on retail floors, has a zip-off top that can be laundered or dry-cleaned. It features co-branding tie-ins with Maytag and Tide With Bleach, and recently received the Good Housekeeping seal.
Ling formerly worked at Maytag, and spent months washing Simmons HealthSmart mattress tops in Maytag washers and dryers as he tested product prototypes.
Simmons officials say the new HealthSmart mattress lets consumers wash away stains, germs, bacteria, dust mites, odors and perspiration from their mattresses, just like when they clean their sheets.
"The development of HealthSmart will alter the way both consumers and bedding industry experts view mattresses by making it possible for people to clean their beds," said Bob Hellyer, president of Simmons.
"Kurt's creativity enabled our company to meet a need that consumers have had for decades. We applaud our team's dedication, which helped make it possible for people to now enjoy a clean and healthy sleep environment."
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ISPA Expo: Industry strives to sell better sleep
Apr 25, 2012 -
Good Housekeeping gives seal to HealthSmart bed
Feb 20, 2005 -
Roger Murray retiring from Simmons
Jul 14, 2008 -
Simmons' Murray to retire
Jul 13, 2008
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