ISPA EXPO: Chili runs hot - and cold

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Few companies want to be known as offering a cold line. Chili Technology is an exception to that rule.The privately owned product development company is based in Mooresville, N.C., not far from here, and thus shows at the ISPA Expo on its home turf. It offers temperature-regulation systems, a category that it sees as opening a new frontier in the mattress industry.

This is an interesting company, one I’ve written about in the past. At the Expo it shows its Chili/Ready inserts, one-inch memory foam inserts that can cool and heat a bed from 48 to 118 degrees Farenheit. Those inserts can be used with innerspring or specialty sleep beds.

“Our goal is to improve the future of sleep worldwide,” said Todd Youngblood, president and CEO of Chili Technology. “The new Chili/Ready insert makes it easy for manufacturers to offer temperature-controlled sleep solutions to their customers.”

Chili Technology shows in booth 737.

FOAMEX PROGRESS REPORT: First things first. Foamex is now known as FXI Foamex Innovations. That’s the name of the new company that emerged from a financial restructuring. What hasn’t changed is the company’s emphasis on innovative foams, and the impressive way it markets those foams.

My old friend Alvaro Vaselli, senior vice president at FXI, reviewed three interesting new foams with me and talked about three “concept” mattresses in the FXI showroom. He also said the new company is debt free, is profitable, and is planning to grow.
Stay tuned for more good progress reports from this company.

L&P RACING REPORT: Leggett & Platt will have a racing theme at its party tonight (more on that below), but the supplier is
also in the fast track with some racing displays on the show floor. A NASCAR simulator is set up in the company’s booth, enabling attendees to test their driving skills. And a tire-changing booth gives attendees the chance to see how quickly they could change the tires on a race car. That last exhibit indicates that the wheels are coming off at L&P, you could say. (Or is it that the wheels are going back on?) In all seriousness, those displays add some fun to the show. Good job, L&P.

TRAFFIC REPORT: Sticking with the car theme, we now offer you this report on traffic at the Expo. Hickory Springs EVP Dwayne Welch offered this assessment at the end of the day yesterday: “We’ve had good traffic. A lot of our customers are asking about the bundling opportunities we provide. They are interested in our foams, our adjustable bases and our line of innersprings. The show has been fairly positive. People are in a good mood and are fairly upbeat about business. They are in an innovation mood, looking to bring new product ideas to retailers and consumers.” That sounds like pretty good news to us.

SWEET MUSIC: That’s what the insomniaczzz, the industry band, provided last night at a packed Welcome Reception at the convention center. It was Carolina hospitality at its finest, with barbecue and all the fixins, among several other tasty food groups. There was racing, football, Wii games - and lots of great conversations. Nice job on that event, ISPA.

PARTY PLANNING: Thursday night is a major night for parties at the Expo. Therapedic International hosts a cocktail reception from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Tryon Room at the Westin, while Hickory Springs hosts its customer appreciation party at StrikeCity from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. And Leggett & Platt’s customer appreciation party, with a NASCAR theme, is set for the Music Factory. Those are just three parties of which I am aware. I’m sure there will be others. It’s called networking, and it’s a staple at conventions and conferences everywhere.
COMING TOMORROW: ISPA presents its awards.