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Industry should show FR materials add value
David Perry, Executive Editor, November 25, 2007The recent price increases announced by the industry's two biggest producers, Sealy and Simmons, stemmed in part from a need to recover the costs of complying with the federal fire-resistant mattress standards. Other producers tell me they too will be raising prices. The ostensible problem: A tough business climate has kept a lid on price increases. More
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CPSC to ISPA: 'Good job' on FR
By David Perry, November 18, 2007An official with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said the mattress industry is working hard to comply with a tough new federal mattress flammability standard. "Overall, you are doing a good job," said Mary Toro, associate director of CPSC's Office of Compliance. Her comments at the International Sleep Products Assn. More
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CPSC: Bedding industry doing "good job" on FR compliance
David Perry, November 13, 2007WESTON, Fla. An official with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said the mattress industry is working hard to comply with a tough new federal mattress flammability standard. More
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Costs spur Sealy price hikes
By David Perry, October 28, 2007Bedding sales leader Sealy is raising prices on a number of its products, including some of its flagship Posturepedic models. Among the factors behind the price hikes is the cost of adding fire-resistant materials to bedding, Sealy officials said. Larry Rogers, president of Sealy's North American operations, told Sealy retailers of the changes in a letter dated Oct. More
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ISPA lobbying against bill to reform CPSC
By David Perry, October 28, 2007The International Sleep Products Assn. is mobilizing opposition to a proposed Senate bill that calls for changes to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. ISPA says the bill would be a "nightmare" for the bedding industry. The Consumer Product Safety Commission Reform Act, introduced by Sen. More
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Sealy raises prices by $35 on some models
David Perry, October 26, 2007ARCHDALE, N.C. Bedding sales leader Sealy is raising prices on a number of its products, including some of its flagship Posturepedic models. Among the factors behind the price hikes is the cost of adding fire-resistant materials to bedding, Sealy officials said. More
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SPSC addresses consumers' FR questions
By David Perry, October 21, 2007Are new fire-resistant materials used in mattress lines across the country safe? Will they aggravate allergies? Those are some of the questions that consumers may be asking now that a new federal open-flame flammability standard is in effect and bedding makers have added FR protection to their lines. More
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Louisville Bedding offering free FR materials
By David Perry, October 21, 2007Louisville Bedding, manufacturer of FireDefender, a two-piece flame resistant mattress and foundation cover introduced earlier this year, is supporting National Fire Prevention Month in October with a special point-of-sale program. The producer, based here, described fire prevention efforts as important, and said it is offering a free point-of-sale program for retailers i... More
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6 uph. makers named in Charleston fire suit
By Gary Evans, October 14, 2007Six upholstery makers have been named as defendants in a lawsuit filed by the family of one of the nine firefighters killed in a June 18 fire that destroyed The Sofa Super Store here. The action, filed by the estate of Melvin Champaign, is directed against present and former owners of the store, a contractor, manufacturers of the store's fire doors, and makers of furnitu... More
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Bella-Dura fabrics will pass contract FR tests, company says
By Furniture Today Staff, September 30, 2007Wearbest Sil-Tex Mills said its Bella-Dura performance fabrics can be tested for various flame-retardant codes required for commercial awnings and canopies. This certification includes CSFM Title 19 Section 1237, the exterior materials burn test for public safety; and NFPA-701 TM 1 and 2, small and large scale. More
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Bemco develops FR marketing materials
By David Perry, September 23, 2007Bemco thinks retailers really should run fire sales. Make that, Bemco Fire-Tec sales. The manufacturer is one of the few bedding companies to see marketing opportunities in the new federal open flame mattress standard, which went on the books July 1. It has developed an ad campaign that touts Bemco's flame-retardant solution, which it calls Fire-Tec. More
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Ignoring FR mattress law would be foolish, risky
David Perry, Executive Editor, September 16, 2007There's been a surprising lack of conversation in the industry about enforcement of the new federal open-flame mattress standard, which went on the books July 1. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, which designed the standard, with industry involvement, has not been making headlines with high-profile inspections to ensure industry compliance. More
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Mock bedding plant inspections check FR compliance
By David Perry, September 16, 2007Bedding producers concerned about how they would fare in an unannounced plant inspection by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission now have a way to gauge their level of compliance with the new federal mattress flammability law. The Lilly Management Group, responding to requests from U. More
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Study links cat thyroid disease, certain furniture flame retardants
By Furniture Today Staff, August 16, 2007WASHINGTON A new study suggests that a mysterious epidemic of thyroid disease in pet cats may be linked to exposure to dust that includes certain flame retardants from household furniture, carpeting and fabrics, as well as from the same chemicals in some pet food. More
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Top 25 bedding retailers boost sales 11.7%
By David Perry, August 15, 2007The Top 25 U.S. bedding retailers collectively turned in an impressive double-digit performance last year, growing bedding sales from $3.02 billion in 2002 to $3.37 billion last year an 11.7% increase. One of the largest increases on the list, 37.3%, was posted by airbed retailer Select Comfort, the No. More
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Fire marshals endorse AFHA's fire-safety plan
By Gary Evans, August 12, 2007The National Assn. of State Fire Marshals has endorsed a plan set forth recently at an American Home Furnishings Alliance-sponsored meeting to create a mandatory federal fire-safety standard for upholstered furniture. The NASFM, which represents senior fire officials nationwide, also said it supports the furniture industry's backing of legislation that would allow the U. More
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Group agrees on upholstery fire safety plan
By Gary Evans, August 5, 2007A diverse group of industry stakeholders has agreed on a recommendation for federal regulators considering U.S. fire safety standards for upholstered furniture. "The majority of the group, including the entire furniture industry supply chain, was in favor of urging federal regulators to move forward on a standard that would ensure all upholstered furniture sold in the Unit... More
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Vegas market attracts new faces, opportunities
David Perry, Executive Editor, July 29, 2007Well, well. The summer market here brings an unexpected level of excitement to the bedding arena. There was so much bedding news here in January, with the opening of several big bedding showrooms and the introduction of new fire-resistant bedding lines across the market, that I thought we were due for a letdown of sorts this summer. More
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Many in bedding industry touting FR messages
By David Perry, July 29, 2007This summer's enactment of a new U.S. federal mattress flammability standard has sparked a number of bedding producers and suppliers to tout FR messages, contributing to growing media coverage of the standard. Sealy, Simmons and Serta, the three largest U.S. producers, have issued press releases offering consumer tips for sleeping safely. More
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Bedroom safety goes beyond fire-resistant mattress
By David Perry, July 29, 2007There is more to bedroom safety than just purchasing a new fire-resistant mattress, leading bedding producers say. They note that the introduction of new fire-resistant mattresses gives consumers more time to escape from a bedroom fire, but said people need to take additional safety steps as well. More
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