Encased coils in new Posturepedic line?
That's what various sources are telling me, and the speculation is being taken seriously in some high quarters in the industry.
"I've heard that," said Simmons CEO Gary Fazio, when I asked him about the encased coil-Posturepedic talk. And Fazio offered this quick take on the idea: "I would find that surprising. The Pocketed Coil (Simmons' trademarked name for its encased coil technology) is our system. It would be unusual that somebody would use somebody else's system."
Gary is right about that. It would seem very odd that Sealy would embrace a system for its key bedding line that is at the very heart of the Simmons selling story. Still, stranger things have happened in Mattressville.
Now it's worth noting that the new Posturepedic line will not debut until the next Las Vegas Market in January, so an official launch is still months away. Sealy is probably looking at various concepts and getting feedback on them, and the company's plans could change depending on how that process plays out. In the meantime, though, the industry grapevine is buzzing.
I asked Jodi Allen, Sealy's chief marketing officer, about the possibility that Sealy would use an encased coil unit in its new Posturepedic line. "We don't want to discuss our product development plans until we have let our stakeholders know our plans and we are relatively early in the Posturepedic development process," she said.
Until Sealy officially announces its plans, we are left with intriguing speculation about just what those plans might be.
I agree with Fazio that it would be surprising for Sealy to use encased coils in its new Posturepedic line. What do you think?
Kenisha commented:
Play informative for me, Mr. internet wiretr.
Azia commented:
I rceokn you are quite dead on with that.
David Hadad commented:
Encased coils does not surprise me... Sealy has tried other forms also... that was soon left behind... We will wait and see..
Bryan Sledge commented:
Sure is working on the S&F line. Why not?
Justin Time commented:
Well old Mr. Marshall would be shocked to know his 110 year old mattress invention was still getting "play".Its a good thing the mattress industry does control aviation or we would still be flying open air. I mean--come on. What's new about all this? That hybrid encased coil and wire tied---anybody ever see the Sears Imperial---which was just that---open coils around the border with encased coils inside. That was 1970. Gimme a break! We need some new NASA Space Age Foam---for the Space Shuttle that is retiring. Anything really new? I mean N-E-W!
"Trandmark" is a genius commented:
No, really. He is.
Trademark commented:
Pocketed Coil is a Simmons brand name. I think it's funny when some people posted "I know what I'm talking about..." type of comments, and then refered to Sealy using a "pocketed coil" That is like saying Sealy is making Beautyrest.
The correct term is wrapped coil or encased coil or marshall unit. Sealy cannot make a pocketed coil. That sounds ignorant.
Steve Chandler commented:
Why not? The pocketed coil feels great and always has. The industry has made huge leaps in comfort selling. Thanks to Tempurpedic and Select Comfort we are actually becoming a health and wellness industry. I have always been a big fan of the Sealy but when selling side by side with Simmons and selling on comfort the pocketed coil usually wins. I guess no other company should use memory foam, breathable covers, beefed up center thirds, or 5 side foam encasement. No matter what Sealy does I am sure it will be an aggressive step to remain an industry leader. I look forward to it.
hey now commented:
Yeah the new Sealy promo for $199. Comes in at about 3" thick. Yeah baby, lure the cosumer in with a real skinny name brand mattress. Don't forget to bring your cat he or she might want to try it out. Obviously this is a joke... but not too far from intro Sealy mattresses at about 5" to 6" thick. By the way stick your knee into a Sealy Posturepedic and push down... yeah real good spring system. Sealy... good stuff.
Sealy in Seattle commented:
If nothing else, Jody Allen has shown she has a great sense of humor. She was kidding, wasn't she?
Sealy in Seattle commented:
If nothing else, Jody Allen has shown she has a great sense of humor. She was kidding, wasn't she?
GREAT ADVERTISER FOR: commented:
I hear that Sealy has another great $199 Queen promo set designed with poceted coils for the exclusive PMD--Thanks for everything Sealy
Amazed commented:
Let's think about this. We are debating whether or not someone in the mattress industry would ever copy a competitor's construction rather than innovate something new ... right? Next thing we will debate is whether or not they would undercut the price and see if we can drive prices and margins lower. You gotta love this industry.
Good for Sealy commented:
Think of the marshall unit as a bonnell. The traditional wired tied springs stated in the 1940's. The pocketed coil has evolved and improved. The bonnell became offset then LFK. The L&P pocketed coil is now tempered, taller, zoned and directional. If Sealy can improve on the original more power to them.
Aaron Tabah commented:
I sell Sealy's in Jonquière, Quebec. They've allways had encased coil mattresses. A few years a go it was their Correct Comfort line, then it was their Sealyrest line (simmons rip-off to be sure), then it was their posturetouch line AND THEN LAST YEAR they sold all their mattresses under the posturepedic line! We had regular Posturepedic Posturepedics and we had encased coil posturepedics. Confusing to the client and to the salespeople. Our rep told us that it would be easier to sell all our Sealy's with a Posturepedic tag!?!? However this year they renamed the encased coils line that we sell to Reflex. Great mattresses, weird marketing strategies.
M. Share commented:
The name of the game in the mattress business is real estate. How much floor space do you control on a retailers floor with your brand.Every company has a weakness and Sealy is going after the Simmons weakness. If Sealy makes the right "selling moves" they can capitalize. Also Simmons can counter this move by Sealy by also "making the right selling moves" but the reality of it all is that they are both "selling weak". In 2003 Simmons made a field sales mistake. I put five encased coil beds together; went to where I was sharing the floor with Simmons and in 90 days increased my present sku's by 42%. When they realized what was happening it was too late. The business was alreay taken.Good luck to Simmons and Sealy.
Me commented:
Sealy is on a slippery slope here. Do they really think they will do a better job with the Marshall unit that Simmons? Maybe they think they will just be cheaper. Why would dealers want Sealy and Simmons on their floor if Sealy is the same thing? Perhaps they think those will choose Sealy OVER Simmons. Maybe...but it is a gamble.
Lisa Stansbury commented:
To no name- when buying to retail, you are usually looking to fill a void. That void is either in specialty (visco, latex, air, water, etc) or innerspring. The same void usually has certain price point variables. Taking all that in to consideration, then you must go for feel and look. Buying to replace a $499 innerspring slot is a lot different than buying to replace a $2,499 latex spot. Name on a $499 isn't as important as name on a $2,499. Marketability is important on all of them. Buying is an art that can't really be summed up here.
For the love of mattresses can we just require using our real names?! There are many news articles that I have wanted to see others opinions on this week. If they don't Tweet them, I don't have time to call them all up and ask.
no name brands commented:
Hey, all you mattress gurus? What is a priority characteristic to look for when purchasing a mattress whether at the wholesale or retail level? I'll bet you not many know including the big corporate "marketers"...
Big M commented:
Sealy already does this in several of the products they manaufacture. Why not do something new and original? This reminds me of most manufacturers knocking each other off, even if you do own the other brand.
Jeff Giagnocavo - PA commented:
@I Know A Lot about Beds - this is the exact reason why comments were taken away on all FT online articles. If you are going to call into question someone's work at least be willing to stand behind your own remarks and not some internet tough guy moniker. David is simply reporting the news.
The fact is the patent on Simmons pocketed coil product ran out a few years back, opening it up to other producers. In my opinion this helped the industry since the pocketed coil is a great feel. Now other producers can manufacture with it at all price points and the consumer benefits. Which in the end is what we all really want a happy customer.
What about S&F? commented:
The new Stearns is using individually wrapped coils. It seems to be a winner. Just a trickle down to the main line.
What about S&F? commented:
The new Stearns is using individually wrapped coils. It seems to be a winner. Just a trickle down to the main line.
JW commented:
Good Idea, I bet it will be some kind of Hybrid mix of encased coils and wire innerspring. Hybrid is a HOT buzz these days.
Iknow a lot about beds commented:
In my opinion David Perry does not know much about bedding. Sealy already makes a pocketed coil line under it's Bassett line. Many other mattress manufacturers have introduced pocketed coils. Why? Because the product and story sells and sells and sells. If you think Mr. Perry is knowledgeable about bedding go read his "Buying Guide" on mattresses. It's a JOKE!!!
Lisa Stansbury commented:
I haven't seen their line as it stands, nor have I laid on any of their product in years. Everyone else has some kind of "encasement." This industry needs to try new things and stop recycling the old "new" things.
Warren Littrell commented:
What have they got to lose. About the only thing thay have left is the name Posturedic. Their line is the most unattractive of all the majors. They are being buried by the "Motion Separation" story from Simmons and Serta. Maybe they can find a "feel" that will sell.
joe doesn't know jack commented:
I have said for years every mattress manufacturer should have an encased coil line of bedding. Incorporated in this line should be the following: foam encasement, tri-zone, edge to edge border rods, and double sided among others. But what do I know... I'm just a mattress retailer.
Robert Sherwin commented:
Typical Sealy. Copy another market leader -- remember one-sided bedding -- and then act as if they're clueless about it all. Here's a thought... Maybe they are CLUELESS!
