High Point Market Fall 2008: Therapedic offers I-Care line

David Perry -- Furniture Today, October 22, 2008

AT THE MARKET - Top 10 bedding producer Therapedic has launched a mattress and sleep accessories line created in conjunction with bedding components supplier Hickory Springs.

The I-Care Elite line, which made a successful debut at the summer Las Vegas Market, encompasses latex and memory foam mattresses, pillows and toppers. Mattress set retails range from $1,299 to $2,199.

The new line gives bedding retailers add-on sales opportunities that are especially important as stores aim to boost their sales tickets in this challenging sales climate, company officials said. It is on display in the Therapedic showroom here in Plaza Suites, space 1-535.

"I-Care was especially well received by our group because it has a very visual selling story, which will be easily transferred at the point of sale," said Gerry Borreggine, president and CEO of Therapedic. "In addition, it has a high-tech story to tell - improved support and comfort due to its unique NaturalWave inner construction."

"Our strength is the breadth of our line," added Jim Wall, general manager of I-Care, which is produced by Hickory Springs. "Very few mattress manufacturers have the pillows, toppers, mattresses and top-of-bed products that we have."

Therapedic licensees can choose to bring in the line in finished form or as components, to be assembled in their factories.

The products draw on a number of cutting-edge sleep technologies to give consumers a variety of ways to enhance their sleep and comfort. "Make your bed a sanctuary" is I-Care's tag line.

The line includes a number of innovative products, including mattresses featuring a "natural wave" design in the foam core that provides superior contouring and support characteristics, according to the company.

Nine pillows, cushioned with fibers, memory foam and latex foam, are offered. Among them are the Pretty Pillow, designed to soften the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles; the Peace and Quiet Pillow, which Wall said is "scientifically proven to reduce snoring;" and the Cool Flash Pillow, which uses Outlast technology to help sleepers reduce overheating and stay cool and comfortable.

In addition, the company uses CopperCare technology on some of its fabrics. Those treated fabrics are designed to steadily and safely release copper and silver ions, which are reported to produce cosmetic benefits and also add antimicrobial protection.

"Safe and effective," I-Care says, "CopperCare fabrics have been tested to kill 99.9% of destructive and odor-causing bacteria and fungi on the fabric, turning your bed into a clean and fresh-feeling sleep sanctuary."

There is also a strong green story in the new line, which features Preserve, a bio-based foam supplied by Hickory Springs, as well as bamboo covers and natural latex.

Pillows will retail from about $35 to $80. Toppers will retail from about $150 to $300.

I-Care has developed a retail display system that enables retailers to show several of the company's products in 66 square feet. The display includes a queen-sized mattress and provides room for several pillows and top-of-the-bed products.