Spotlight on Monarch Sleep Systems

THE MONARCH STORY

Monarch was founded by Greg Fowler along with his long-term business partners Andy, Joy, and Roger from Ulife Healthcare. Greg, an esteemed thought leader and global senior executive, has a successful track record in value chain development. His expertise spans multiple industries, including technology, medical, and retail, where he consistently pursued innovative approaches to competition through strategic partnerships. Whether scaling technology in medical devices, computers, or pioneering cutting-edge style in the sunglass and sleep industries, Greg's emphasis has always been on fostering partnerships that yield more significant value than the sum of their parts. His ability to connect complementary skill sets and explore the concept of "1 plus 1 equals 3" has enabled numerous corporations to scale globally, forming enduring relationships to drive successful businesses. Throughout this journey, Andy, Joy, and Roger have become integral, infusing their knack for commercializing innovation into Monarch's products. Together, they aim to revolutionize the sleep industry, elevating sleep experiences for all consumers to "Carpe Mañana – Seize Tomorrow!"

The essence of a restful and rejuvenating night's sleep cannot be overstated. It significantly impacts creativity, productivity, and overall performance during the day, fostering greater energy, happiness, and physical health. What if every day could surpass the last?

Sensational Sleep encompasses various factors that synchronize personal senses, aligning the mind and body for rest. The efficacy of a great night's sleep is unique to each individual, and the products facilitating it must reflect this diversity. Monarch boasts a diverse portfolio of adjustable bed frame products catering to custom needs.

Consider the concept of levitating and floating away in dreams—a notion that emerged during a brainstorming session between Greg and his daughter, pondering the euphoric feeling of drifting off to sleep, akin to butterflies gracefully floating in the air. This whimsical imagery inspired the name "Monarch," envisioning a mattress foundation that could similarly elevate one's sleep.

From inception, the journey to develop this idea began. Greg engaged his team to explore opportunities and identify unmet market needs. Their initial observation was the cumbersome and largely overlooked nature of bed frames compared to mattresses. While other furniture like recliners and car seats offer personalized comfort, bed frames lagged behind in customization. This prompted the team to rethink the status quo.
Great innovations often stem from persistent trials and a passion for redefining the norm. Greg embarked on an intense development process, conducting interviews, scouring the internet for varied bed frame designs, and observing consumer interactions in retail spaces. The overwhelming variety of options highlighted a need for simplicity—a single choice that serves both retailers and customers seamlessly.
Thomas Edison's words—"The value of an idea lies in the using of it"—resonated with Greg and the team.

They set out to build a design that was half the size and weight of conventional frames, enabling easy shipping in a compact box that fits in the back seat of a car—an innovation in itself.   The package size enables reducing overall inventory and space requirements for retailers.

The initial challenge lay in creating a universally adaptable platform to streamline product offerings. The team devised an expandable sleep deck that adjusts effortlessly to accommodate different mattress sizes.  This innovation aims to empower customers to take their chosen products of any size home conveniently.

The scalable design emphasized personalization, acknowledging that comfort is a deeply personal choice. Leveraging their experience in the medical bed industry, the team aspired to revolutionize the sleep deck by integrating quad suspension—inspired by butterfly wings—to distribute pressure across 200 points, providing unparalleled support and massage therapy for the body's well-being.

This flexible design not only supports mattresses effectively but also allows for optimal breathability, preventing heat retention—a common issue in conventional bed frames.

Greg's relentless pursuit of Sensational Sleep and his commitment to answering "What if" drives the team's efforts to introduce breakthrough innovations.   Check out their newest products as Monarch Sleep Systems proudly presents its latest innovations in air-cool sleep decks.

The founders and the entire team at Monarch invite you to explore a new realm of personalized sleep experiences with these groundbreaking products. Says Greg, “Meet us at the SSA Showroom C1565 in the Las Vegas Furniture Market or visit our website www.monarchsleepsystems.com for more information.”

Monarch Sleep Systems says, “Sleep well my friends.”

Spotlight on SONU Sleep

THE SONU STORY

SONU was founded by business partners and friends, Stason Strong and Brad Hall. Stason is an engineer, inventor and serial entrepreneur with a meticulous eye for design, while Brad Hall is a CEO and business guru with a background in the medical field and a talented mind for efficiency. The two, with their complementary skill sets, have formed multiple successful businesses together, and both have always taken note of their quality of sleep and the immediate effects it has on their creativity, productivity and overall performance during the business day, as well as their general happiness, liveliness and physical health. Stason and Brad determined that in order to more thoroughly conquer all of their goals, they needed to attain consistent and fully rejuvenating, top quality sleep.

Many factors go into the quality and effectiveness of a night’s rest - comfort, temperature, noise and stress levels all play large rolls in a sleeper’s abilities the following day. As noise and stress levels are only solved on a case-by-case basis, the founders set their sights on extreme physical comfort by researching the reasons most sleepers never attain motionless slumber with an optimal sleeping position that lasts through the night. The problem has quite literally been right under us the entire time - the traditional flat mattress.

The mattress, in one form or another, has been around since the start of human history – created first by our early ancestors gathering “bedding” tens of thousands of years ago, and slowly improved on ever since, including the elevated sleeping structures of the ancient Egyptians and Romans, the ornate straw filled furniture of the Renaissance, and the factory-produced beds in the wake of the Industrial Revolution. Since the introduction of coil spring technology in the 1870s, the mattress has not changed much; even to present day. Materials are constantly updated, accompanied by claims of newfound comfort, but the mattress has always been just a spongy flat rectangle… until now.

“The world has been sleeping on flat beds for centuries,
but the human body is not flat...”

After much research, countless development iterations and thorough testing, Stason and Brad have pinpointed the problems with the traditional flat mattress design... and solved them. The SONU Sleep System was born. Never before have sleepers been able to fully immerse into the mattress. The patented Comfort Channel and layered Support Pillow system allow for the full range of motion of shoulders and arms within the bed, not just on top. Molding to the sleeper’s unique shape and desired position, the system greatly reduces pressures that have long thought to be unavoidable. Couples enjoy sleeping and embracing without undesirable pressure on arms caused by traditional mattresses. Side-sleepers benefit from not needing to roll-over to relieve pressure on arms and shoulders constantly, resulting in sound sleep throughout the night. Joint and muscle pain, chronic discomfort and injuries in the neck, arms, shoulders and chest can be greatly reduced by SONU's unique immersive support system. The sides of the Comfort Channel also act as hand supports when holding a device or book, reducing hand and wrist tension when reading and watching. Sleepers who snore on their backs can finally roll to the side to help alleviate snoring without the discomfort traditionally experienced. The founders identified each of these goals and created the SONU Sleep System to address them all.

“It is now time for a change.”

The name “SONU” was derived from the word “sono” which means “slumber” in Portuguese. While Stason was in Brazil in 2014, he first came up with the idea of a bed that allows sleepers’ limbs to immerse into the mattress to alleviate discomfort and elevate quality of rest. Years later, after teaming up and perfecting the design, Stason and Brad named the company “SONU", commemorating the location of the idea’s first inception, with the root word in Portuguese, while swapping in the letter “U” to create their own unique ending to symbolize the shape of the company’s patented Comfort Channel.

The founders and the entire team here at SONU now invite you to experience an entirely new world of relieving rest and satisfying comfort. It is finally time to sleep like never before...

Introducing the world's first mattress designed for side sleepers. Finally allow your arms to rest where they're meant to, so you can get the best sleep of your life. The patented Comfort Channel and Support Pillow system molds to each sleeper’s desired position, greatly reducing pressures that are unavoidable with all other mattresses. The result is a truly unique level of comfort and unforgettable sleeping experience.

What’s Included

100 Night Trial: Try out a SONU risk-free at home. We're certain you'll be in awe when you immerse yourself in comfort, but if somehow you're not, we'll come and get it and give you a refund. For details visit the 100 Night Trial page.
SONU Sheet Set: Every SONU comes with a set of custom white sheets and pillowcases designed to fit the Support Pillows and Comfort Channel of your new mattress.
The Patented SONU Comfort Channel: The only mattress that allows your arms and shoulders to fully immerse into the bed, made possible by the Comfort Channel.
The Support Pillows: Each SONU Sleep System comes with 4 support pillows that fill the Comfort Channel (2 for Twin XL). On top of these support pillows, at least one top pillow per sleeper is required. We recommend the SONU Top Pillow Deluxe as it is designed to work with the system.
Premium Materials: At 14 inches deep and constructed from 26 pieces of premium high-resilience CertiPUR-US® certified environmentally friendly foams, the SONU is durable and built to provide ideal support in all the right places.
Sink-In Support System: Enjoy full range of motion below the surface, while leveling the spine to enable a satisfyingly balanced comfort impossible to achieve on any other mattress.
Adjustable Head & Neck Layers: Change the resting height of your head to perfectly level your neck while side-sleeping. Laterally malleable pillows allow consistent vertical support while accommodating relaxing space for shoulders and arms.
Channel Waterfall: Soft cover material flows seamlessly down into the Comfort Channel, ensuring all surfaces touched while sleeping are free of fabric joins to allow for an all-encompassing smooth experience.
10 Year Warranty: Built in the U.S.A. to last, we guarantee the top-quality materials and construction of every SONU.
Free Shipping: Your order includes shipping to anywhere within the continental U.S.
* Extra charge to ship to Alaska and Hawaii.

Every Side Sleeper's Dream

Prepare for comfort you never thought possible. The SONU Sleep System reduces pressures in a way that will rejuvenate you every night. No other mattress even comes close.

Fall Asleep Faster
The SONU's patented Comfort Channel can greatly reduce tensions in your arms, neck and chest, helping you fall asleep faster.

Comfort for Couples
The multiple layers of the SONU Support Pillows allow couples to embrace with minimal arm and shoulder pressure.

Enjoy Deeper Sleep
The SONU's Sink-In Support System allows for better breathing and less arm pressure, reducing the need to wake up and roll over.

Ergonomic Support
The sides of the Comfort Channel also act as hand supports when holding a device or book, reducing hand and wrist tension when reading and watching.

Explore The Innovations Unique To SONU

The Comfort Channel
Never before has a mattress enabled sleepers to fully immerse into the bed. The patented Comfort Channel of the SONU Sleep System allows for the full range of motion of the shoulder and arms within the mattress, not just on top. Side-sleepers benefit from not needing to roll-over to relieve pressure on arms and shoulders constantly, resulting in sound sleep throughout the night. This is enabled by the Comfort Channel’s 10 inch deep negative space and it’s complimentary Support Pillows that have been engineered to perfectly support the sleeper’s upper torso while relieving pressure on the limbs.
The Support Pillows
The patented Support Pillows of the SONU Sleep System are the key to the unique immersive support system. Each SONU has a stack of two layers of Support Pillows, totaling four pillows for King and Queen sizes, and two for Twin XL. Within each Support Pillow are individual layers particularly engineered to allow the pillow to be laterally malleable while maintaining ideal vertical support. The Support Pillows are designed for a head pillow to be placed on top of them for optimal head support, while allowing room in the Comfort Channel for a sleeper’s limbs, enabling the perfectly supported sleeping position. 
Sink-In Support
The SONU Sleep System is designed to align the spine while side-sleeping, enabling reduced tensions, better breathing and sound sleep throughout the night. This feat is accomplished by allowing the shoulders to immerse into the Comfort Channel, leveling the vertebrae in the neck, while supporting the upper torso, leveling the vertebrae in the upper back, and finally, allowing the hips to sink in, leveling the vertebrae in the lower back. When in a back or stomach sleeping position, the system also conforms to maintain a level surface for optimal support, as it has been specifically engineered to provide this unique Sink-In Support, only available with a SONU.
Channel Support System
The Comfort Channel is made up of three outer walls that attach to the foundation layer and main body of the bed. This structure creates the optimal shape of negative space needed to allow the sleeper’s limbs to fully immerse below the surface. The properties of this structure have been designed to support the lateral pressures required by the Support Pillows to maintain ideal vertical support needed for the upper torso while allowing full range of motion within the bed. The side structures also act as hand supports when holding a device or book, reducing hand and wrist tension when reading and watching.
Upper Torso Relief
In order to achieve the unique level of comfort provided by The SONU Sleep System, many engineering obstacles were overcome that set it apart from all other mattresses. One of these obstacles was to allow the system to be able to support the upper torso of a sleeper, most commonly the heaviest part of the human body, all while allowing the shoulders and arms to immerse into the bed, dramatically reducing the weight normally required by these areas to support the upper torso. The gradating levels of support within the SONU have been engineered to accomplish this goal precisely, resulting in a truly unique level of comfort and unforgettable sleeping experience.
Cooling Layers
A 2 inch thick layer of plush cooling material covers the entire top surface of the SONU. This cooling topper allows for the different support sections to be blended seamlessly into one, providing the proper support under the upper torso while allowing the hips to sink to align the spine, all while staying comfortably soft and cool to the touch. This material is also present at the base of the Comfort Channel and in the outer layers of the Support Pillows, enabling a matching experience of comfort and cooling for all parts of the sleeper’s body that touch any surface of SONU.
The Cover
As with all elements of the SONU Sleep System, the outer cover is both unique in its form and function. Its material is particularly stretchy to accommodate for any extra space required by immersed shoulders and arms, as it covers the entire unique shape of the mattress, including into the base of the Comfort Channel and outer cases of the Support Pillows. The top edge of the Comfort Channel, where the sleeper’s upper torso rests, has been designed to ‘waterfall’ into the negative space, eliminating all seams and any possible discomfort in this critical area. The cover material is durable and long-lasting, while being incredibly soft, smooth and cool to the touch. French seams and double stitching frame the signature encircling stripe, while complimenting the custom dual tones and timeless diamond stitching that swathes the entire SONU.

Made In The U.S.A.

The SONU Sleep System was designed and developed in California, and is manufactured only in the United States
- made with the highest quality materials and attention to detail for our loyal customers.
 * The SONU Sheets are an imported product. All other SONU products are made in the United States.

Spotlight on BELI PLAST LLC for your Supply Chain Sourcing

BELI PLAST LLC offers you the best procurement and supply chain sourcing services tailored to your needs.

In the post-pandemic market, more and more companies are searching for ways to cut costs but remain profitable without sacrificing product and service quality. There, BELI PLAST LLC comes into play. Established in Delaware, US, BELI PLAST LLC offers top sourcing options at the most reasonable prices.
As a provider of procurement services, we significantly and sustainably add value to our clients' purchases of goods and services from emerging markets. We provide services for home furnishings such as bedding, mattresses, sofas, home textiles, kitchen cabinets, dining tables, wooden furniture, indoor and outdoor furniture, and many more. Our supplier base contains some of the top manufacturers in each home furniture category in their country.  
Do not take any supply risks! BELI PLAST LLC identifies a product range for on-the-spot, quick purchases from stock.
We believe that production follow-up is the most crucial component of trusted services. Therefore, BELI PLAST LLC is ready to protect you by auditing every step of production and delivery from the factory to your warehouse.

ABOUT US

Our mission is to provide end-to-end best procurement outsourcing services for home furnishing products to on and off-line US retailers. We promise to source the highest quality products available for the lowest possible prices. We specialize in home furniture design and production and work with high-quality manufacturers in Turkey, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Israel.
Our team, with years of experience in sourcing and managing supply chain services, is scanning the market day and night to guarantee that our supplier base remains the most cost-effective choice for our customers. Our furniture specialists collaborate with customers to create a unique design meeting their needs in terms of space and price range and help them through the vast range of fabric, color, finish, size, and pricing alternatives.
Thanks to our strong network of business partners and manufacturers in the home furnishing industry, we are operating with the best production capabilities. We take pride in our skilled team of analysts and believe that our highly specialized services for each customer make us stand out among our peers.
BELI PLAST LLC aims to become your first choice of strategic sourcing partner in the home furniture business. For further information, do not hesitate to contact us.
We believe that production follow-up is the most crucial component of trusted services. Therefore, BELI PLAST LLC is ready to protect you by auditing every step of production and delivery from the factory to your destination.

OUR SERVICES

Sourcing and Purchasing

·       Research and shortlist the best manufacturers based on the product line and needs of the consumers
·       Mapping and developing a new supplier base
·       Contact the right manufacturer for the best quality at the lowest price
·       Provide a wide scale of furniture production capacities in manufacturing countries and develop the best long-term alternative capacities for US retailers
·       Establish smart business alliances to provide clients with long-term, dependable supply chains

Product Development

·       Personalize the process of skilled product development and product engineering according to your needs and specifications
·       Be part of the process of developing and approving samples
·       Get the necessary testing and product compliance before the production of each piece
·       Have high-quality production inspections to secure product quality in bulk production
·       Work with suppliers to maintain everyday quality assurance at the production level
·       Complete the necessary delivery inspections before the first shipment

Order Management and Logistic

·       Secure and follow up shipments as per clients' orders
·       Follow up and implement optimal logistic setup with best sale solutions
·       Monitor the forwarder's performance
       Observe and analyse supplier order management orders

HOW DO WE WORK?

Contact us and let us know what your company needs.
Our customer team will inform you of the process immediately.
Our development team will guide you through the design and detailing process.
Upon agreement, we will scan the markets for the best supply options
Your design will be produced in the best conditions within the timeline.
Before the first dispatch, your package will be audited to ensure complete satisfaction.

WHY BELI PLAST LLC?

ü  Reach the best sourcing solutions in short time
ü  Get a highly personalized level planning
ü  Benefit from a large network of manufacturers in emerging markets
ü  Be ensured about the quality and the safety of your shipment

Key Activities & main Sourcing Product Groups:

Strategic Sourcing | Supply Chain | Business Partnership
Vendor Management | Industry Knowledge
Product Development | Furniture Production Consultancy
Furniture Quality Control & Inspection Services |  Compliance and Conformance Consultancy
Furniture Industry | Bedding| Mattrasses | Sofas | Home Textiles
Floor Coverings | Kitchen Cabinets | Indoor & Outdoor Furniture
Glass Porcelain | Metal Tableware
Office Furniture |  Contract Furniture

Contact Name: NASIF AKIN
BELI PLAST LLC
Phone: +12673004553
Email: BELI_PLAST@beliplast.com
www.beliplast.com

DANICAN Update • Denmark’s Back!

Thomas and Naomi Frismodt

Back in 2012, owners Thomas and Naomi Frismodt challenged themselves by uprooting their family and business, making the move from Denmark to California.  The journey to the U.S. proved to be successful and full of lasting memories.  As we update Danican's story, Thomas and Naomi now find themselves in their home country of Denmark with their move, back in July of 2020.  This has allowed Thomas to establish Danican's second location, Danican Europe.

The addition of Danican Europe is proving to be a success.  Thomas has been able to serve Danican’s European based clients with increased availability as well as cultivate new relationships with European based manufacturers.

The Danican office in California is still going strong and is now led by Director of Sales and Business Development, Jonathan Weingarten, who has been with the company since the beginning of 2017. Danican USA and Danican Europe have key team members in Sourcing, Logistics, Product Development, Sales, Graphic Design, and Administration that have been with Danican for over 5 years.  In 2022, Danican USA is celebrating its 10th year in the U.S!

Select Factory Partners – A Main Ingredient in a Successful Recipe

Danican's focus has always been to work "behind the scenes" and provide the support customers need to grow their business with Private Label bedding products.  A key to Danican's value to clients has been the production relationships they hold with their global factory partners. 

Since 2019, Danican has steadily added key factory partners in Southeast Asia, North America, and Europe.  These factory partner additions have helped to diversify the types of products and materials Danican can offer clients as Private Label.  A recent example of this expansion in product range is the addition of adjustable beds and organic cotton sheets and protectors.

Getting through COVID

Jonathan Weingarten

Even with the challenges during COVID these past two years, Danican has transitioned successfully to more online based communications with key partners and the Danican team.

Thomas Frismodt explains “Despite its limitations, we are now seeing the possibilities it [online video communication] also provides. Our customer base has increased during this time to also include e-commerce clients while we continue to have the privilege of serving retailers, importers/distributors, hospitality and interior designer clients”.

Las Vegas Market and High Point

At the beginning of 2020, Danican made the tough business decision to pull out of showing at Las Vegas Market and High Point for a time, however, Thomas Frismodt is still an active participant on the SSA Board. Danican has much appreciation for the Specialty Sleep Association as we have met many wonderful people in the SSA Showroom and have created long lasting relationships with colleagues in the industry.

Member Spotlight on Bedline: High quality and customer satisfaction has helped us grow.

Bedline, a Spanish maker and EU leading manufacturer of platform beds and headboards, is showing again in the USA for the January 2022 Market. After showcasing in Las Vegas in August 2021 and with excellent feedback received from the US market. Bedline continues innovating and in January will present a product in kit form, with the specific requirements for the US online market, for drop shipping and ease of handling.

The beginning of the brand

Bedline, founded in 1995, has specialized in designing and manufacturing high quality storage platforms beds for European market.
Mission: Bedline is focused on product functionality and constant improvement, besides offering new styles to the market every year.
Philosophy: To fulfill new requirements not only on space optimization, but also having a better sleep experience with an optime comfort and  customer wellbeing.

BEDLINE GROUP has its main manufacturing plant in Alcala de Henares, Madrid with more than 36000 feet.
Through a vertical manufacturing process, the group is constantly working to provide functional and aesthetic solutions.

Vertical manufacturing, from design to delivery, allows quality control and the best customer service.

Bedline has strategically selected an IN-HOUSE manufacturing process, manufacturing from the heart of Europe, with a vertical organization which allows to manage and control all processes efficiently.
Since 1995 Bedline has grown and evolving into the “storage platform bed” leader focusing on storage platform beds and standard platform beds. In 2013, they realized there was a change in the sector, and it was moving towards the selling of products in kits, so that they invested in machinery to set up a carpentry specialized in “storage beds in kit form”.
In 2014, alongside the growth of the group, and new client needs, they decided to increase the plant with 10,000 extra feet of space. Such space would be only for upholstery. With qualified employees, daily training, and dedicated work, they have managed to achieve high production levels with great quality.

Design and innovation in new products

Today’s lifestyle is seeing many people with not enough space for everything to be placed in an organized way. The bedroom is the place where we recover ourselves, a relaxing space, comfortable but also practical, where tidiness and storage allow us to rest correctly. The traditional solution in wardrobes, dresser, or closets is simply not enough space in most cases. Providing new spaces or to make a better use of the existing ones, is the most intelligent decision to solve this dilemma.

Bedline is the expert in spaces for resting and has changed the way storage beds are seen in the market, bringing to the market an improvement not only in styles but providing new patented technologies to make the use, stockage and cleaning of the bed much easier.

Development of new technologies, some of them patented, have revolutionized the market providing a high variety. A good example is the AIR TOP™ which is a great bed which breaths ensuring a better sleep and a longer product life.

Customer satisfaction as the key driver of the business

In such a highly competitive market, customer satisfaction means customer loyalty. Bedline constantly is trying to understand consumer needs, providing best products to be always our customers first. BEDLINE is committed to continued improvement on every level.

Nothing stays the same, everything evolves.

This idea shows the constant innovation of BEDLINE. Nonconformity, to question what is stablished, see everything from different angles, think of what doesn´t exist: this is the true driver behind BEDLINE. Only this can be the starting point to solve issues which no one had thought of and this is how BEDLINE works around its essential pillars: technology, quality, design and innovation.

BEDLINE products are focused to optimize the space and the wellbeing.
The brand is not only storage platform beds, but also different solutions always with great design and comfort.

Spotlight on NCFI Polyurethanes

SSA Members since 2013, independent foam manufacturer NCFI Polyurethanes remains loyal to their roots and values. NCFI got its start in 1964 through a partnership between Dr. Harris W. “Ace” Bradley, who had worked on the Manhattan Project during WWII, and the Barnhardt family. Dr. Bradley was a true polyurethane pioneer, credited with perfecting the single shot pour method most North American foamers use today.

Firsts didn’t stop with the single shot method. In the mid-1960s, NCFI and Bradley worked closely with NASA and another North Carolina based company Dynamic Systems to develop a slow recovery polyurethane foam to provide pressure relief in the seats being designed for our astronauts.  In 1968, NCFI sold that formulation to Dynamic Systems and they continued the development with NASA.  That formulation can be called the starting point for today’s memory foams.

In 2006 NCFI helped start the original e-commerce mattress in a box provider – BedInABox.com.  Their design team helped them create a two-piece core that, to this day, is the market leader in quality and durability.  NCFI’s premium foam core helped this original design to be rated number one overall by SleepLikeTheDead.com. In 2016 NCFI opened their state of the art, automated facility to provide a complete assortment of bedding products from components to fully finished mattresses.  Their modular design allows for production of up to 3,000 units per week, with 2022 expansion plans set to increase that number substantially.  Two years later, in 2018, the circle was complete as NCFI purchased their former partner and brought the Bed In A Box® brand in house.

Today, NCFI Polyurethanes is a leading producer of high quality, performance based polyurethane products, operating in Mt Airy NC, Houston TX, Dalton GA and Columbus MS.  The Mt Airy and Columbus locations specialize in full service bedding offerings including components, toppers, pillows, and fully finished boxed mattresses suitable for E-commerce shipments.

NCFI’s commitment to sustainability is substantial.  The Specialty Division of the business received the EPA’s prestigious Montreal Protocol Award in 2004 for their “outstanding contributions to the protection of the Earth’s ozone layer.” Since 1990 only 554 individuals, companies, organizations, and teams from 54 countries have been honored with the award. Their efforts regarding environmental stewardship and responsibility continue with their current participation with the EPA on lowering HFCs through our new SmartSPF® low global warming potential (GWP) blowing agent spray foam products.

NCFI’s Consumer Division was instrumental in the creation of the CertiPUR-US® standards with representation on both the founding technical and commercial committees.  All NCFI foams offered to the bedding and furniture industries are CertiPUR-US® approved.

Since the introduction of Natural Oil Polyols into the flexible foam industry, NCFI has been at the forefront of maximum renewable content products.  As the only US manufacturer to have a USDA Biobased certification, NCFI leads the industry with their ultra-high renewable content foams.  These foams make up the core of the Eco-Lux® mattress, the most certified mattress on the market and the only complete memory foam mattress to receive USDA BioPreferred® status.

NCFI’s direct to consumer brand BedInABox.com reflects the company’s current abilities to provide a full range of bedding and mattress solutions.  The six bed lineup starts with the opening price point Essential and continues with the Original, the brand’s classic 11” all foam model that started the entire mattress in a box industry.  The Azul® offers industry leading cooling properties, the Tranquillium® is 3 layers of performance foams covered with a cooling Tencel® cover. The Dual Hybrid Mattress™ with two separate spring layers and an industry leading coil and the aforementioned Eco-Lux® round out the line.  All models are available for brick and mortar retail partners and are eligible for private label applications for those looking for high quality products to add to their existing brands.  The entire lineup can be viewed here.

“The SSA was part of our beginning in the sleep products industry,” said NCFI’s Executive Vice President of Consumer Products Chris Bradley. “We secured a small space to test the water back in 2013 and haven’t missed a market since.  While our space needs have grown beyond the SSA, we are still active and see great value in continuing our membership.  The SSA is comprised of independent, innovative and quality conscious manufacturers and companies.  The pretty much sums up NCFI.”

Dan Manning, Chis Bradley and Larry Morris

Member Spotlight: Emma - The Sleep Company

Newest SSA Member and January Showroom Exhibitor is Emma – The Sleep Company. Emma is a founder-managed company and with 1.5 million mattresses sold in 2020 the world’s leading Direct-to-consumer sleep brand. Founded in 2013 by Dr. Dennis Schmoltzi and Manuel Mueller, the Sleep Tech company is headquartered in Frankfurt, Germany, with additional locations in Manila (Philippines), Lisbon (Portugal) and Shanghai (China). In 2020, the company achieved a turnover of EUR 405 million (USD 494.7 million), a growth rate of 170% from the previous year. Being one of the most fast-paced European companies, Emma intends to keep gathering momentum.  In 2022 Emma plans to place a heavy focus on global brick and mortar retail with differentiated products from its online business.

In the US, Emma has hired Sleep veteran, Scott Smalling, to heads its Retail division and lead the US product developments and introductions. Smalling has a long history with first to market innovations and plans to bring many new innovations to the market in 2022 and beyond.

Test Lab at Emma’s HQ Frankfurt, Germany

The flagship product is the Emma® bed-in-a-box, which is currently available in more than 30 countries. The mattress is sold directly to consumers via a diversified customer experience that includes several digital touchpoints as well as about 3,000 stores. The successful omnichannel strategy has been made possible by partnerships with several retailers.

Some Emmies in our HQ, based in Frankfurt (Germany)

 Emma's research and development team is a leader in sleep technology. The team of over 30 people develops innovative products that make a positive impact on people’s lives by enhancing their sleep. In doing so, Emma launched the world’s most advanced smart mattress: the Emma Motion. To scale the business and innovate as fast as possible, Emma’s 700+ team members are constantly creating and implementing new concepts to optimize everything from their global supply chains to marketing and sales. The company keeps its sharp competitive edge by staying agile, discovering pragmatic solutions to challenges, and maintaining a digital mindset. The team celebrates and encourages diversity in all areas: diversity of thought, character, ideas, and background.

The Emma Mission: Awakening the best in people.
To achieve their mission, they are living a unique company DNA. They consist of more than 700 ambitious Emmies (what they call themselves internally) dedicated to sleep and keeping their startup spirit despite growth. They stay agile, non-hierarchical and disruptive and are not satisfied with established, traditional routines. They empower everyone to identify opportunities and take ownership, no matter what their age, position or seniority is. They focus on keeping an entrepreneurial spirit, questioning the status quo and coming up with innovative and disruptive ideas to fulfill their mission.

Dr. Dennis Schmoltzi is CEO and Co-Founder, “Internationalization, diversity and collaboration are deeply rooted within our company DNA. It is anchored in each of our more than 700 ‘Emmies’ – how we call us internally – and the basis for our success. Only through the right mindset of our team members we ensure to stay agile and to drive innovation, day by day, in order to improve sleep worldwide.”

Understanding sleep is Emma’s priority.
They follow a customer-centric approach: they want to understand and learn more about how people sleep and what they need in order to achieve a good night of sleep – in more than 30 countries by now. Therefore, they have a RnD team of more than 30 highly motivated talents is constantly challenging the status quo in order to reinvent sleep.

Manuel Mueller is CEO and Co-Founder, “Our RnD team works every day on proving the value and importance of sleep and translating this into innovative, ground-breaking, and state-of-the-art products that ensure that we are improving sleep – wholistically and worldwide. That´s what our R&D achieves: using their passion for science to fuel a high level of excellence.”

Dr. Verena Senn is a Neuroscientist and Head of Sleep Research at Emma. “Sleep is a natural mood booster. Getting a good amount of sleep each night awakens you to be the best version of yourself by giving your mind and body the time necessary to recharge and awaken feeling refreshed, alert, and in a good mood. Think of achieving optimal sleep (at least between 7-9 hours per night) like charging a battery. When the battery (you) is fully charged, it’ll have all the positive energy and motivation it needs to perform well in all aspects of life.”

Dr. Dennis Schmoltzi
CEO and Co-Founder

Manuel Mueller
CEO and Co-Founder

Dr. Verena Senn
Neuroscientist
Head of Sleep Research

Member Spotlight on BestRest, LLC

Bestrest, LLC is the US Division of family-owned and operated mattress factory called Poligon-Naturalia, headquartered in Spain. Poligon-Naturalia has been designing mattresses and furniture since 1966 for the European and Asian markets. Having become one of the most innovative manufacturers in the world, it’s five divisions in Europe focus on Medical, Hospitality, Retail, Green Technologies and Furniture, Bestrest collaborates primarily with Naturalia, the branch focused on developing the company’s latest innovative technologies.

Poligon Naturalia Factory

Juan Gonzalez, President

Eduardo Bautista came from the factory in Spain to start Bestrest LLC in 2010. After months of analyzing market tendencies and deficiencies in the US market he was able to develop first BestRest model, “Lux by Naturalia”. Asked about the focus of the company, BestRest President Juan Claudio Gonzalez said, “We see the company’s US mission is to create our own unique categories and position ourselves as a beacon of change and innovation. We see so many companies in a race to the bottom and so many brands have diminished their brand’s reputation and the product’s shelf life. We want to bring back the focus on luxury, quality, personalization and uniqueness. Luxury and Earth-friendliness does not need to mean crazy prices. We struggled initially to get traction in the market since we only had the one mattress model, but we realized that mattress retailers were missing diversification and tended to have numerous overlaps in their showrooms. We needed to capitalize on what made us so special”.
BestRest was able to create strong synergies with brands like B&B Italia, Molteni, Dada,  Solesdi,  Gianfranco Ferre, Roberto Cavalli, Boffi, Cote France and many more.  These brands were looking to partner with a company that could deliver luxury levels which matched their own, and a product line that permitted them to offer something special to their clients.  The BestRest green, luxurious and unique mattresses resonated well with this part of the industry.   During this same time BestRest teamed up with what they felt was the most luxurious adjustable base manufacturer in the US market along with a few selective linen manufacturers from Europe.   

Green Planet pillow

Lux by Naturalia

Through their Hospitality division BestRest began projects with the Intercontinental Hotel, Carlyle Hotel, Ritz Carlton Miami Beach and the World Equestrian Center in Ocala.  “We see so many brands developing product lines with higher price points but the industry is missing true innovation,”  Mr Gonzalez commented. “Clients will always be willing to pay higher prices for a mattress if they perceive the value as being higher and worthwhile…but if we continue to repackage the same old mattress in a nicer ticking, we do them a huge disservice.  Clients are smarter and more demanding and they will no longer settle for mediocre. We have encountered some clients that believe everything they read online, but there are many more that are as knowledgeable as we are.  It is our responsibility to guide them and point them in the right direction even if that means they purchase a competitors product”. 
Over the last 4 years BestRest has focused on expanding its product line.  The Green Planet Pillow was the first of many additions, having all the benefits and attributes of the Lux model and offering so much to the consumer.  It was designed using their proprietary Soy-based memory foam with the highest level (almost 50%) of natural components, featuring a winter and summer side made with Cashmere, Organic Cotton and Bamboo.  The pillow is Oeko Tex certified, infused with Aromatherapy, and was designed with the perfect level of weight, density and thickness.   

Thermovisco Mattress

Next to be developed were the Quietud mattress and the Thermovisco mattress. These new models were spurred on by the invitation for BestRest to collaborate in the launch of Vidalta Mexico, the most luxurious residential project in the history of Mexico City. The project required a luxurious mattress on the caliber of the Lux for the Master bedrooms as well as a special type of mattress for the other bedrooms. The Quietud and Thermovisco offered the required beauty and luxury, and since they are double sided mattresses, they had the versatility the project required. The Quietud also included an advanced Pocketed Coil system and the Thermovisco incorporated the BestRest proprietary Ecolife material in line with the company’s sustainable and clean the ocean initiative.
About two years ago the company’s focus expanded their health and wellness initiatives.  The development of their next model, Rejuvenyx, focused almost exclusively on health.  Its Phottex material has been clinically proven to improve the circulation of the blood, reducing muscle aches and pains, increasing collagen levels in the skin and improving the elasticity and firmness levels in the skin.   The Rejuvenyx also uses their proprietary Soy based memory foam to offer the most earth friendly and supportive option in the market.

Rejuvenyx Mattress

Prive Mattress

Natur Mattress

At the end of 2019 the factory launched the Prive and Natur models, designed to be the most luxurious mattresses in the world. Each mattress takes factory artisans about a week to hand make, using the most luxurious materials. The Prive model was designed to be a show piece for high end furniture showrooms. Prive has been awarded the prize for Craftmanship and Innovation at the 2020 International Furniture Fair in Europe.
In 2021 the company was given the opportunity to collaborate with the Italian Government in the development of one of what they report is the most exclusive showrooms in NYC, which will include over 40 of the most luxurious European brands. This project will have direct access to renowned building developers, interior designers and hotel developers in the US. BestRest developed the Elite Collection for this project, incorporating only the best materials from Italy, Germany and Spain. Both the Harmony and the Multisens are part of a three piece collection that make up the Elite Collection. This new collection will round out BestRest’s “perfect combination” of comfort levels and materials, creating a luxury sleeping experience for every consumer. The Elite Collection includes materials that specialize in thermoregulation of the mattress temperature, providing aromatherapy, and giving a unique level of support and comfort.
Best Rest continues its collaboration with the US State Department, working on supplying mattresses for US Embassies around the world.  They have also strengthened their relationships with luxury-focused hotel groups and new retail projects involving numerous A-list celebrities, and which will offer a unique assortment of products in the mattress retail segment throughout the US.   

Harmony

Multisens

The BestRest team continues working closely with their factory to offer the most luxurious, sustainable,  green and relevant product lines addressing the real issues that today’s consumers encounter.  Says Mr. Gonzalez, “It is time that sleepers can “FALL IN LOVE WITH SLEEPING ALL OVER AGAIN. We do not create models as step ups simply for price points.  Our competitors merchandising seems to be at ‘add an inch add $100US’.  Every BestRest model is purpose built and stands on its own with specific features and benefits making it unique.  This is why our branding focus is on the individual models rather than the corporate brand  itself.”   
“Sadly marketing in the bedding industry has become a game of all talk and very little substance”, he continues. “We insure that all of the technologies and innovations we incorporate are proven and offer life changing benefits.  We may not win the advertising game but we will win the hearts and minds of consumers yearning for improved health and sleep.”     
Gonzalez finished with this, “Through Best Rest I have been able to fulfill a dream to make a difference in peoples’ lives and push against the tendencies of the industry.  As a long time entrepreneur I wanted to bring a breath of fresh air and make my own path, the right path that will hopefully shape this industry forever.”

World Equestrian Center

Member Spotlight: I Love Pillow \ I Love Mattress

In January 2009 I Love Pillow began exhibiting in the first SSA Las Vegas showroom, which was located on the 13th floor in C Building. They continue to innovate, develop and expand. We are fortunate to have them with us in Las Vegas now and indefinitely.

THE BEGINNING OF THE BRAND
For over 25 years, we have considered ourselves ‘foam experts,’ engineers who manufacture foam for automotive companies such as Tesla, GM, and Ford — right here in the USA. We have been told our memory foam is unlike any competitors — it is undeniably the softest, lightest, and most supportive foam we have ever felt. After being obsessed with foam for over two decades, we decided to expand our business into bedding products. It was not until we crafted our very first prototype and our owner’s daughter said it best, “I Love this Pillow!” We decided to let the name stick because that is exactly how we want all our customers to feel.

AWARD-WINNING PROPRIETARY MEMORY FOAM PILLOWS, MADE IN THE USA
We pride ourselves on being experts in memory foam. Not only does our Pillow line contain our very own award-winning proprietary memory foam, but it also includes a wide variety of our favorite pillow covers. Whether you sleep hot or cold, we have your new favorite pillow that will be sure to give you Instant Comfort & All Night Support. Our fabrics provide benefits such as actively cooling, the softest microfiber, 300-thread count Tencel, and quality cotton material. All our Pillow Covers are machine washable and guaranteed to last you a lifetime. Thanks to SleepFoundation.org, we have recently been recognized in the following categories and have been given awards for:

Best Pillows of 2020 for Back Pain
Best Memory Foam — Contour Pillow
Best Temperature Control

MEMORY FOAM MATTRESS TOPPERS
We started to expand into Mattress Toppers when we continued to get feedback from customers mentioning they wanted the same comfort and support for their entire body, not just their head. Since we are obsessed with memory foam and are the experts, we extended the brand to I Love Mattress. We took all the same feature benefits of our pillows and designed our Mattress Toppers into a product our customers would love. Now your entire body can rest peacefully on our breathable, conforming, and supportive memory foam that responds to you. Our unique Body Zone® design allows for maximum pressure relief and comfort, plus is CertiPUR-US® Certified.

MEMORY FOAM AND HYBRID MATTRESSES
What first started out as strictly a pillow company, has now transformed into so much more. In the most recent years, we have placed a significant amount of importance behind our product development. From the beginning, our Out Cold Pillow has always been a crowd favorite and that is why we have created our Out Cold memory foam and hybrid mattress line! The collection includes seven distinct mattresses, varying in firmness and actively cooling and copper benefits. What makes us different from any competitor is that both the supportive layers and mattress covers consist of copper and antibacterial benefits. Each mattress cover is removable with a zipper and machine washable. Just like our Mattress Toppers, our Mattresses are CertiPUR-US® Certified and shipped in a box.

FIND YOUR PERFECT FIT
A reason why our customers love our products is because we give them options. With our website’s online Pillow Quiz and Mattress Quiz, we assist our customers in narrowing down their perfect fit. Customers can self-select our products after answering a few questions. Try it out for yourself!

            Pillow Quiz: https://www.ilovepillow.com/pages/pillow-quiz
            Mattress Quiz: https://www.ilovepillow.com/pages/mattress-quiz

OUR PHILANTHROPY
Since the beginning, we have partnered with local companies to help our community and friends in need. We regularly donate all exchanged and returned products to charities such as Humble Design, United Way, and Sharetown. Charities such as Humble Design changes lives and communities by furnishing the homes of families and veterans emerging from homelessness. It is companies like these that assist us in supporting our community and helping spread the love!

Member Spotlight: BLU SLEEP - A Visual and Verbal History

Family trip to Italy in 2019 with our sons Alessandro and Stefano. This picture was taken in Amalfi in the countryside.

Imagine yourself surrounded by beautiful and calming ocean views – the sound of the waves lapping at the shore, the feel of the sand between your toes, and the smell of salt water. Looking out, you catch a glimpse of all the vibrant colors of the rainbow – brilliant reds, golden yellows, pastel pinks, sea-foam greens, light lavenders, saffron oranges, and electric blues.

These sensory references encouraged Blu Sleep’s husband-and-wife co-founders, Alex Ciccolella and Elizabeth Dell’Accio, to develop the company’s wellness-oriented sleep products.  Using European engineered Italian colorful foam, Blu Sleep’s pillows and mattresses are made with distinctly unique technology and materials including essential oil infused foam, washable memory foam, water expanded memory foam and foamed gel.

“Some of our best memories were our summer trips to the south of Italy. We were both drawn to the calm and soothing feeling of the water and the sand,” says Dell’Accio. “We wanted to share the experience that brings us back to those beautiful landscapes, culinary experiences, and the vivre of the culture which truly inspired us to create what Blu Sleep is today. Everything from our patented technologies, essential oils, and even the signature ‘blue’ in our logo echo the personal homage we pay to those memories.”

Ceramo is the latest in Blu Sleep's innovation. This ultra-breathable machine-washable foam has a cooling bio-ceramic layer that gives the body benefits of an infrared spa.

THE BIRTH OF A BRAND

Raised in a family of luxury Italian furniture craftsmen, Elizabeth inherited her eye for quality from her parents. Alex, who was educated as a bio-chemist, had the imagination of an inventor, the gift to question standards, and liked to invent new solutions to existing problems. When the two married, the couple realized by bringing their experiences together they opened the door for new business opportunities in the home furnishings industry.

In 1997, before the birth of their children, Elizabeth noticed that baby mattresses, made from plastics that were not breathable or cooling, were not comfortable for infants. The couple worked together to create a new category of memory foam – one that was both breathable and safe – marking the beginning of a journey that would eventually become their life’s work.

 Alex and Elizabeth started Blu Sleep, a latex foam supplier for the mattress industry, in 2006. The company’s principles focused on the belief that advanced chemistry, quality manufacturing, innovation, and strong R & D can improve the way people sleep. Realizing that pillows were an important yet underdeveloped part of the sleep products industry, Blu Sleep shifted its focus to making finished pillow offerings for small manufacturers and retailers which, through private labeling, led to success in their Canadian homeland. When distribution expanded into the United States, the company started selling mattresses and pillows under the Blu Sleep brand.

Our CONFORMA mattress is our most innovative offering that provides luxurious supportive sleep with the best technology Blu Sleep has to offer.

WHEN SCIENCE AND SLEEP MEET

After three years in development, the company’s first breathable and cooling foams were brought to market as the Blu Sleep AIRFLOW pillow. The introduction surprised and delighted industry professionals and encouraged Blu Sleep to partner with Italian foam suppliers to develop innovative products – specifically designed to provide the same kind of restorative and refreshing night’s sleep Alex and Elizabeth experienced during their trips to southern Italy.

“Our products are made with water expanded foams – a process that uses water instead of chemicals to expand our pillow foams for a more natural product,” explains Alex. “Each Blu Sleep offering is designed with Sleep Cool Technology which works by using breathable and heat dissipating materials to keep your body at the perfect sleeping temperature. This technology is specially engineered in our pillow and mattress foams as well as our covers to absorb body heat, keeping you cool all night long.”

CONFORMA wins the approval of even the fluffiest of critics

The company started manufacturing and marketing a whole line of breathable foams that include best sellers ICE GEL and BIO ALOE. These breathable foam and gel products continue to win accolades and praise from editors and industry critics alike. Today, Blu Sleep offers an entire range of sleep products including mattresses as well as accessories.

While many home furnishings companies use foams that produce off gassing, Blu Sleep’s foam pillows and mattresses are Oeko-Tex certificated, which ensures they have been tested for harmful substances and have met all safety standards. Because it uses water as an expansion agent, Blu Sleep’s memory foam, latex and gels are cleaner and more environmentally-friendly. Each product also features an open-cell structure, so they are non-temperature-sensitive ensuring you stay cool as you sleep.

Today, Blu Sleep’s pillow lineup includes memory and gel foam, infused with essential oils including sleep inducing scents such as chamomile, lavender and green tea. While both breathable foams are designed to support both your head and neck, each has its own unique feel. The company’s memory foams are quick responding and envelop you so you feel cozy while the gel foams are more breathable than traditional memory foam and have a softer, bouncier feel.

The company’s breathable mattresses are designed from “the base up” using advance foam technologies to better suit your individual sleep needs. Shaped into adaptive columns, or Air Pods, Blu Sleep’s base foams keep the spine aligned and lets air flow through up and out. Each Air Pod is adaptive and moves independently to conform to the unique shape of the body and pressure points.

Blu Sleep’s husband-and-wife co-founders, Alex Ciccolella and Elizabeth Dell’Accio

PROMOTING BEAUTY SLEEP

With the company’s streamlined logo, Blu Sleep wanted to pay homage to Italy, where its foam is manufactured.  A refreshing blue hue was selected to represent the vibrant ocean water of Southern Italy. On its side, the stylized “B” of the insignia evokes the shape of a plush mattress and pillow and the bold typography marries style with functionality. The new point-of-purchase (POP) and packaging highlights Blu Sleep’s unique construction and materials such as water-expanded foam, essential oils, aromatherapy and breathable fabrics.

Blu Sleep’s branding and marketing campaign focuses on the company’s innovative features and technologies that help transform sleep into  part of a beauty and wellness ritual. Designed to emphasize the spa-like feeling consumers can experience each night on Blu Sleep mattresses and pillows, the company believes the simplified narrative on the POP and packaging tells a visual story to which consumers can emotionally connect.

Blu Sleep began their sojourn with the Specialty Sleep Association in October 2011, when they exhibited in the SSA’s High Point showroom. SSA Executive Director Tambra Jones remembers, “They were part of the SSA’s showroom neighborhood in both Las Vegas and High Point until January 2014 when they opened their own showroom in Las Vegas. We are elated at their success, however we miss them!”

October 2011 in the SSA’s High Point showroom. Tambra’s flip phone has Elizabeth and Alex in the dark - but their product lineup looked good!

Today’s Las Vegas showroom - B960

Member Spotlight: Arcusbeds Organic and Natural Mattresses from Europe

The idea for Arcusbeds developed organically (no pun intended!) over several years--the result of personal lifestyle preferences, family origins, career histories and business decisions all coming together in the form of a top-quality, honest, 100% organic and natural bedding product that we are very proud to sell.     

Since childhood, Peter Laurens, Founder and CEO of Baltica Natural Products, LLC, has had a personal preference for using natural, chemical-free materials in everyday life, even when many things we now take for granted, like 100% cotton shirts and sheets, natural toothpaste and the like,  were not easy to find in the mainstream.  Growing up in a family of physicians, he has always been very health-conscious.

While working in international finance in the mid-2010’s, he seized the opportunity to turn this long-lasting lifestyle into a business.  A search for investment deals in Europe turned into a quest to find manufacturers there who operate on ecological principles and share a commitment to making top-quality natural and organic products.  He was joined in the search by a close relative, an orthopedic surgeon and beekeeper in the Baltic States, who contributed his wide expertise in human physiology, the healthcare business and organic farming. 

After looking at many different European companies and business fields, they settled upon organic and natural bedding as the most promising market for a business in which to collaborate.  After finding a top-level producer in Lithuania who shared their vision for ecological bedding and sustainable production, “we were off to the races”, Peter says.  “We took their excellent, existing product as a base and made it even more upscale, designing a dual-sided, robust product with heavy layering of the finest-quality organic and natural materials, including organic wool and organic cotton, organic Dunlop latex and horsehair.  Materials are sourced from certified producers—mostly in South Asia and Europe—and our product is manufactured under very high quality and safety standards.  Arcusbeds has a complex structure that provides lumbar support and incredible comfort at the same time—a combination that can be difficult to achieve, but we have—and the product speaks for itself.” 

Peter Laurens is describing his mattress to Anthony Page in the SSA Showroom during the Las Vegas Market.

Right now, Arcusbeds sells its two flagship models; Organic Classic—a multi-zoned, hand-nested pocket-coil line with two different comfort levels, and Organic Asana—a multi-zoned Dunlop latex line with a split core and three comfort levels.  Both are on display at the SSA showroom at the Las Vegas Market. Arcusbeds has been exhibiting at the SSA for several years now, and it’s the company’s preferred venue for showcasing the products.  The company has designed a fully compressible “mattress-in-a-box” for online sales but for now is concentrating on meeting the needs of upscale, brick-and mortar retailers in North America who are equally devoted to organic and natural bedding.  We invite all readers to visit our virtual showroom, stop at our booth at the SSA (we plan to return for the Summer 2021 show), or drop by one of our retailers’ stores to try out our wonderful products!    

Member Spotlight on Cannabeds Inc.

Cannabeds inc. is a proudly owned Canadian company with their head office located in Toronto.

“We manufacture top quality mattresses with our exclusive Hemp blend which is better for the customer and our environment,” says founding partner Ryan Chilvers.

Chilvers and his partner Chris Gunaseelan have very extensive backgrounds in both retail and manufacturing in the bedding industry.

Ryan has been in the bedding industry since 1992, starting in retail as a salesperson and soon after he was managing retail locations in Canada. He then the made the jump to top 3 bedding producer Serta, as a national sales representative dealing with the top Canadian retailers. Very early on he was promoted to manage all sales in central and eastern Ontario. After about 18 years at this company he changed course and teamed up with his current business partner Chris Gunaseelan to launch Cannabeds inc. in 2018.

Chris has extensive production and manufacturing experience in the bedding industry, he has owned his own factories in Toronto for over 15 years and makes a top quality product. Chris is the owner of Dream Time bedding which is the factory where Cannabeds is also produced.

Dream time is a rapidly expanding Canadian brand that produces foam, pocket coil and traditional spring style mattresses, these are also going to be available in the USA shortly (Cannabeds available now).

Member Spotlight: Sleep and Beyond for Inspiration and Sustainable Products

Where it begins • Kyrgystan

Welcome to Sleep & Beyond, your ultimate destination for 100% organic and natural cotton and wool bedding. We are a 3rd generation family owned bedding manufacturer with fair trade and sustainable factories located in Kyrgyzstan, “The Switzerland of Central Asia”, England, Belgium, India, Pakistan and China.

Merino Wool bedding set

 Since 1992, we have been helping our customers all around the world to sleep better and healthier through the magic of wool and cotton. We pride ourselves to be the experts in organic and natural wool and cotton bedding and beyond. We dance our way to work because we love what we do and have been perfecting our products since 1992.

 Only the finest and purest nature created raw materials, such as 100% organic Merino wool, 100% natural Shropshire wool, 100% organic and natural cotton, 100% natural latex are used to create each of our master pieces. We raise our own Merino sheep in the mountainous lands of Kyrgyz Republic, which produce superfine organic wool for our myMerino collection. Our world famous myMerino and myBedding products are made with love and perform like no other.  Comforters, pillows, mattress protectors, pads, toppers, sheets and more – we got it all!

Brothers Sardor and Sarvar

Our Mission
Create an inspirational, sustainable, and educational system that will benefit the human being without harming the Planet.

Our Vision
To be the leader in our industry by supplying our customers with highest quality organic and natural bedding at most competitive prices with exceptional customer service and on time delivery.

Our highly valued relationship with Specialty Sleep Association
The beginning of the incredible nine years with Specialty Sleep Association journey began on April 15, 2011 when the Azimovich brothers Sardor Azimovich, co-founder of Sleep & Beyond with his brother Sarvar hired J. W. "Butch" Craig  a.k.a. Man In Black as their National Sales Manager for Sleep & Beyond. The next objective was to conquer Las Vegas Market.

Las Vegas Summer Market of 2011 was the first historic market for Sleep & Beyond when we joined the SSA Association and showcased in the Organic Pavilion. With the creative debut, Sleep & Beyond hired Tim Welch, #1 Elvis Presley Impersonator, for the first three days of the show and Elvis made sure to leave the long lasting impression by meeting, kneeing, singing, and greeting hundreds of visitors and buyers that came through Specialty Sleep Association and all the showroom buildings. Elvis not only performed but launched Sleep & Beyond to the next great level making an incredible journey for Sleep & Beyond to become the Top 3 Best Wool Bedding Brands of USA and marking its 28 Years of Sleep Solutions. Sleep & Beyond looks forward to begin its 10th year with SSA starting with upcoming Las Vegas Winter Market In January 2021.

First Las Vegas Market with SSA and The King and the beginning of Butch and The Stole…

Las Vegas showroom team

Sarvar, Sardor, Dave Perry, Butch

S&B Difference
·       Sleep & Beyond® is the “Top 3 Best Wool Bedding Brands” in North America and one of the largest manufacturers of organic and natural wool filled bedding around the world.
·       We consider ourselves to be a fair trade employer by paying fair wages to our factory workers, providing great working conditions, and never involving child labor.
·       Our products are tested to be free of arsenic, VOC’s and other carcinogenic chemicals that are used in majority of the conventional bedding such as down, polyester and silk.
·       Our products carry the most stringent certifications to back up our statements such as “100% natural” or “100% organic” (GOTS, OEKO TEX, WOOLMARK, FAIR TRADE)
·       By purchasing our bedding, you support many local economies around the world, protect the environment from pollution, promote balanced eco system and prolong your health.

OUR RAW MATERIALS
At Sleep & Beyond, we are committed to using only the finest and purest raw materials to create each of our bedding products.

The magic of Merino Wool and Merino sheep

Pure Organic Merino Wool
Superfine Merinos are regarded as having the finest and softest wool of any sheep. Unlike other wool, Merino wool is much finer, softer, and best of all, itch-free for all. It is used as a filling for our premium myMerino collection.

Shropshire Wool
In the mid-17th century, Shropshire sheep and their wool were described as “Choicest and Dearest in England”. Shropshire wool is a premium choice for our washable wool bedding (aka myBedding) as it is light, elastic, and fine to the touch. The wool undergoes sustainable and eco-friendly “Biowash” treatment that makes the wool fiber washable and not shrinkable.

Organic and Natural Cotton
From seed to shelf, our organic and natural cotton is grown and processed free of pesticides, harmful dyes and carcinogenic chemicals.

We have created new series of educational videos to help our customers sleep better and healthier through the magic of wool:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZ-1nem-v14
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oAbCaTZekY

Sleep & Beyond takes great pride in continuous quest to being a Zero-Waste and Women’s Empowerment Company

Factory

Empowering Women
·       We employ and empower women in all of our production areas.
·       We greatly rely on their expertise and skills and proud to bring their craftsmanship to the world.
·       In our wool factories, our women play an important role from wool fiber sorting, scouring, carding to cut and sew, packing and supervising transparency and traceability all across.
·       In our cotton factories, our women are employed in all of the production areas from growing organic and natural cotton to fabric spinning, weaving, cut and sew and more.

Merino wool carding

Solar Power
Our S&B Gardens in India have been using the solar power for renewable energy since 2017.
·       Every left-over raw material from our production is reused in one or another way.
·       For example, an excess fabric roll turns into a packaging solution as it is very durable and reduces the need to use regular polypropylene tape.
·       New samples and product ideas are developed from our remaining unused raw materials or first test production runs.
·       We try to recycle as much as we can. You may notice the recycle number for our packaging in the product labels.

Azo Free & Hand-Screen Printing
We utilize a non toxic, azo free and heavy metal free hand-screen printing (GOTS approved) on our organic cotton collection products.

Our Product Packaging

Cotton Packaging
We package our myMerino and organic cotton collection products in reusable 100% natural and organic cotton bags, which can be reused and recycled. You can get even more creative and take them on a camping trip or use them as a laundry or a grocery bag. Our myMerino bags also became very popular for various charity events and organizations.
We are very proud to have become sponsors in such amazing nonprofit organizations such as Teen Cancer America and GIFT (Global Initiative to Free Trafficking Victims).

PEVA Packaging
Our packaging for myBedding products come in PEVA, an ecofriendly, phthalates free and BPA free packaging/plastic substrate with non toxic materials. It is also one of the most environmentally safe packaging alternatives developed today. It is fully recyclable #7.

LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene) Packaging
To ensure no chemicals, dust or off gassing potentially affect our bedding, we also wrap our myMerino and organic cotton collection products in LDPE packaging.
It is also
·       100% recyclable (#4)
·       Acid free, amine and silicon free
·       Meets FDA and USDA specifications

USA Distribution Center
Fontana, CA
We have fully switched our office lights to LED lights in 2017.

S&B Factories aka S&B Gardens
Creation of our products starts in the Universe and that is why they are like no other. Every product is made with love in our factories (aka S&B Gardens) that are strategically located around the world to deliver the best customer experience, superior value, reasonable prices and quick deliveries.

The Kyrgystan Team

We are truly a one global family with one great mission: to set the world on fire with the magic of wool and cotton! No matter where we create our magic, we stay true to our core principles and values, such as:
·       Always perfecting our products to deliver the best experience to our fans. It is a never ending quest and we love it!
·       Paying fair wages to our factory workers and many of them have been with us for years, especially families working together.
·       Never involving child labor.
·       Supporting local economies around the world, protecting the environment from pollution, and promoting balanced eco system.
·       Maintaining strict standards for quality control, such as making sure our fibers and finished products are independently tested for quality and purity by various organizations such as Woolmark, Oeko tex, GOTS, USDA among the leading ones.

Our Mascot CoCo

OUR PHILANTHROPY
“Give to Receive” way of life has been deeply rooted in our DNA by our parents, grandparents and our ancestry. When we have an opportunity, we extend our hand to our local community and friends in need. We regularly contribute some of our luscious comforters and pillows to a great organization called Casa, Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children. These children deserve brighter future and we are glad to be part of their journey in life.

Would love to finish our story with the quote from our Captain Butch:
You've been given the innate power to shape your life...But you cannot just speak change, you have to live change. Intent paired with action builds the bridge to success. You can't just want it, you have to do it, builds the bridge to success. You can't just want it; You have to do it, live it. Be it! Success isn't something you have, it’s something you do! Captain Butch

As great John F. Kennedy said, “Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see.”

Member Spotlight: Electropedic Promotes Exclusivity with a Retailer

Electropedic is a Family Business with an interesting History

In 1960 Henry Kraus became the western states distributor for the Contour Chair Lounge.  It was custom fit product where each part of the chair was measured to the size and length of the customer.  There were many selling challenges because the customer had to choose the fabric, style, leg color and have a place for the chair.

 In 1964 Henry visited the World’s Fair in New York City and Simmons had a display for their adjustable beds for in home use.  Henry was drawn to the adjustable bed because it provided similar benefits as the Contour Chair Lounge.  In addition, the adjustable bed could be placed inside a bedroom and become the focal point for customers to get a better night’s sleep.

Henry Kraus saw the adjustable bed as a product that he could grow into a successful business.  Henry understood the importance of having exclusive products because they create higher profit margins and sales.  In 1971 Henry Kraus developed his own adjustable bed featuring a steel frame that extended the full width and length of the bed.  This would be Electropedic’s competitive advantage.

 At the age of 13 second generation Philip Kraus started working at Electropedic.  Philip worked every Saturday and learned the business.  Henry Kraus passion for work help guide Philip’s direction.

Phil Kraus and son Paul looking dashing in their SSA Showroom exhibit space.

In 1979 Electropedic’s business was growing so fast that Henry needed help.  Philip took a leadership role in Electropedic and became the CEO for the manufacturing division.  In 1985 Philip manufactured bases for Sealy and expanded Electropedic retail base to NYC through Sleepys.  

In 2008 with the great recession and the influx of inexpensive imported beds, Electropedic’s adjustable business declined. Third generation Paul Kraus joined the company at this time and started to develop exclusive top of the bed products.   Paul Kraus used Electropedic’s principles to create a product line of ultra-premium sleep products.  Concentrating on the concept of exclusivity, Paul Kraus was able to establish accounts with Nest Bedding and Layla Sleep.

Currently Electropedic’s business continues to grow even with the Covid pandemic.  Customers are spending more time at home and realizing the importance of sleep products.

 Electropedic – Exclusivity with a Retailer

Since 1964, Electropedic has a history of designing and manufacturing unique products.  Electropedic has evolved from a regional supplier to a global partner for a wide range of customers.

From our headquarters in San Fernando, CA, we carefully manage a fully integrated platform of manufacturing and distribution facilities strategically located in the U.S. and China.  Our robust supply chain allows Electropedic to quickly respond to the needs of our customers.

 Advantages of Exclusivity with a Retailer

 Having access to Exclusive products is the key to differentiation for any business.  Exclusive products make it much easier to maintain higher perceived value because there is no direct competition.  Exclusive products drive greater sales and profits.
The majority of Electropedic business is private label products.  Electropedic’s private label products are sold in more than 700 stores in the USA.  Electropedic manufactures for the top bedding companies in the industry.

Latex Side-Sleeper Pillow

 Exclusive Bedding Products

 In today's competitive bedding market, performance fabrics are a key selling factor for sleep products.  Electropedic has developed cutting edge cooling fabrics that help you sleep more comfortably.  Electropedic’s fabric technology combines comfort, breathability and wicking technologies to create the ideal sleeping environment.  

Pillows

Electropedic believes that having the correct pillow is just as important as the mattress. Pillows play a vital role in supporting the intricate structures of the head, neck, shoulders, hips and spine. Pillows can help alleviate or prevent many common form of back and neck pain, as well as shoulders, hip and other form of joint pain.  Electropedic maintains certifications for OEKO-TEX® and CertiPUR-US® for their pillow line.

Weighted Blanket

Weighted Blankets

For many people, weighted blankets have become a routine part of stress relief and healthy sleep habits, and for good reason. Research suggests weighted blankets may benefit people with anxiety, autism, and insomnia, among other conditions.  Electropedic maintains certifications for OEKO-TEX® for their weighted blanket line.

Bed Sheets

Electropedic’s aim is to offer you the best-made sheets possible-more sumptuous, more durable, and more exquisite than anything else available. Sheets are essential in helping one sleep well at night.  Electropedic maintains certifications for OEKO-TEX® for their Bed Sheet line.

Mattress Protectors

Electropedic mattress protectors absorb or repel liquids and allergens and are easily washable in the washer and dryer.  A quality mattress protector or encasement can provide the extra layer of protection that you need to avoid flare-ups triggered by common allergens and irritants like dust mites and bed bugs.  Electropedic maintains certifications for OEKO-TEX® for their Mattress Protector line.

Packaging

Electropedic understands that a business can produce the greatest product in the world but if the packaging doesn’t influence your target audience it will not move off the shelf.  Electropedic partners with companies that manufactor packaging products for Apple, Google and Microsoft. This allows Electropedic to offer the highest quality packaging in the world.

Cut & Sewn 

Your business is one step ahead with Electropedic. Electropedic offers on trend “sleep solutions” for the consumer who are increasingly aware that quality time in bed is important. With cut & sewn manufacturing units in the US and China, we produce ready-made mattress covers and pillow covers fitting your exact and unique requests.

Member Spotlight: Arason Enterprises, Inc. "Sleeping places in small spaces"

Eighteen years ago in November 2002, Jane and Jon Arason created Arason Enterprises.  This entrepreneurial couple focused on providing “sleeping places in small spaces.” They knew that traditional beds and mattresses would not meet this need, nor in fact would cumbersome Murphy Beds. To fill the need for an extra bed for their household, one that would not take up a lot of space in her small home office, Jane Arason came up with the idea of the Fu-Chest™, so named because it held a futon.  Jon, her husband, made a prototype in his basement shop in 2002. The introduction of the new, patented Fu-Chest™ was the beginning of Arason Enterprises, Inc.

Carey, Jane, Molly dog and Jon Arason

Novices in the furniture and bedding market, Arason Enterprises focused on the distribution and sales opportunities offered by the futon marketplace. Growth was achieved by selling the Fu-Chest™ through futon dealers and e-tailers that addressed the needs of people who wanted sleep options in studio apartments, vacation homes, guest rooms, dens, home offices and playrooms. E-tailing was in its infancy in 2003 and Arason Enterprises was able to cultivate a strong internet presence which remains today.  However, as the futon market began to decline in the early 2000’s, the Arasons were introduced to the Specialty Sleep Association (SSA) under the leadership of Executive Director Tambra Jones.  They became an anchor manufacturing brand showing their cabinet beds to a broad array of retailers who attend the bi-annual winter and summer SSA Show at the Las Vegas market. For over a decade (prior to the pandemic) Arason Enterprises has held a key front-of-the room, exhibit space in the SSA Showroom.

Stepping beyond the traditional brick and mortar retail marketing channels Arason’s www.Fu-chest.com reaches out to today’s modern consumer with an informational website that provides detailed product information and assistance in finding dealers.  Well positioned for the fast-growing direct-ship-to-consumer marketplace, Arason Enterprises began drop shipping for catalogers and online merchants in 2004.

The original Fu-Chest is no longer available as their cabinet bed concept has evolved into an even better patented product. The innovative Creden-ZzZ™ cabinet bed looks like a buffet, chest, or credenza but, opens to a full-length bed with a comfortable tri-fold, foam mattress hidden inside. The “space-saving, free-standing” piece of furniture is offered in several trendy styles and seven finishes, featuring many improvements over the original Fu-chest™. These include a storage drawer, a raised sleeping platform, a flip top and an elegant deployment mechanism that makes the cabinet bed easy to open and close. 

Arason, as the inventor and patent holder, has perfected the cabinet bed design over the last 18 years. Even though they hold the patents and they set the standard for design, style, performance and quality with the Creden-ZzZ™, the Arasons always seek to improve upon and add to their overall line. “We are quality, style and performance driven. We are not price driven, but we strive to provide the best styles and finishes at a competitive price point,” says Jane Arason, president of the company. “We always want to be ahead of potential competitors. We give the best customer service in the category and focus on innovative and attractive designs that serve the needs and desires of our customers”. To this end the Arason Enterprises will be introducing two new Creden-ZzZ™ cabinet beds this October at the fall High Point market and the January Las Vegas market.

Spotlight on Latexco US ~ Defining Sustainable Products and Pillars

Longtime SSA member Latexco US is in the Member Spotlight this month. General Manager Jim Gutierrez sits on the SSA Board and Latexco US CEO, Ben Ducatteeuw is a valued supporter. We asked their team to write something for the Spotlight that tells their company story. Here’s what they sent in.

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Latexco US is a leading manufacturer of latex and polyurethane foam products to the bedding industry. It’s been on a strong, rapid growth trajectory since 2008 when it established headquarters and manufacturing in Lavonia, Ga., and accelerated the pace with expansion in Phoenix in 2018.

The forward-thinking, customer-centric organization is uniquely positioned to serve as a one-stop shop with innovative bedding solutions, customization and fulfillment capabilities and impressive speed to market. With facilities on the east and west coast, Latexco US is the only producer of both latex and polyurethane foam under one roof in North America.

In an industry of making things, it’s easy to overlook what makes a company more than the products they make – a view into its culture and a sense of its soul. Beyond Latexco’s innovativeness and agility that enable it to respond nimbly to customer and market needs, lie a strong ethos and commitment to economic, ecological and social sustainability.

The company identifies three pillars of its sustainability commitment. The Economics pillar represents healthy long-term business management with added value for the local economy. The Ecological pillar serves to maintain and strengthen the forest ecosystem. The Social pillar exercises respect for the rights of local people and employees.

“Sustainability is a leitmotif that runs through everything we do,” said Ben Ducatteeuw, CEO of Latexco US. “Our goal to be an industry leader goes beyond the impeccable quality products and service we provide. Caring for our environment and being stewards of our natural resources are part of our corporate responsibility.”

In 2011, Latexco introduced the patented SonoCore technology, a revolutionary process used to make an all-new product category and the company’s flagship natural foam product called Pulse®. Using radio frequency technology instead of conventional steam heating and drying, the SonoCore process is significantly more energy efficient while producing an extremely soft natural foam with high tensile strength, superior ventilation properties and the best ecological footprint in the latex foam industry.

“The most durable, flexible, ecological, revolutionary and competitive natural foam in the marketplace.”

“Extreme comfort and softness are Pulse’s signature attribute and benefit,” said Brent Limer, Chief Sales Officer for Latexco US. “The SonoCore process differentiates Pulse® as a sustainably responsible product that also provides the benefits of a perfectly balanced microclimate with superior ventilation and humidity control properties.”

In early 2019, Latexco US obtained FSC® certification from NEPCon for its natural Pulse® products, making it the only single-source producer of latex and polyurethane foam in the U.S. with FSC-certified natural foam products.

“FSC® is about transparency and traceability throughout the process, which is vital to the Latexco commitment to sustainability,” said Ducatteeuw. “We’re proud of this distinction and to be able to tell our growing base of customers that our latex products come from responsibly managed forests, transported directly to our plant and made into premium products designed to improve the quality of life of consumers.”

That consumer perspective is one of the unique aspects of Latexco that contributes to its growing success. While it has always been a supplier to bedding manufacturers, arguably making it once removed from the end consumer, Latexco approaches product development and marketing with the consumer in mind.

Latexco’s natural Pulse® brand is a perfect example because the company believes sustainability makes a difference in the way we all work and live. Pulse® is derived from a natural and renewable raw material, sourced from environmentally responsible forests and manufactured using the highly efficient SonoCore process based on radio frequency.

Sleep health and hygiene are an essential part of the conversation when Latexco talks about the benefits of natural foam. Latexco mattresses also meet Oeko-Tex Standard 100 standards, making them safe for babies and all other sleepers. Products carrying the Oeko-Tex label provide assurance that every component of the article has been tested for harmful substances and is therefore harmless to humans. From cutting-edge research and development through durability testing, its natural latex mattresses offer best in class performance for optimum body support, balanced pressure distribution, enhanced blood circulation and long-lasting comfort and quality. 

Pulse® natural foam has an open cell structure made up of millions of microscopic interconnecting air bubbles that allows constant air circulation through the mattress, and the natural movements during sleep helps ventilation. Natural foam is hypoallergenic and proven to be resistant to mold and mildew. Recent tests show it is also resistant to dust mites.

These product attributes fulfill the economic pillars of sustainability because they give bedding manufacturers and retailer a strong basis to provide real solutions to consumer problems when it comes to buying comfortable, durable and safe bedding for their home and family. In the end, it comes full circle to support Latexco’s primary goal to take care of people and nature.

Member Spotlight: PureCare ~ Welcome Home to Wellness®

For over 20 years, PureCare has been devoted to designing premium, wellness-focused sleep essentials. With every fiber of our being—with every stitch of our fabric—we care about the well-being of everybody and every body. That’s why we design products with one simple mission in mind: to wrap the world in care, comfort and wellness. Because when we sleep well, we rise to live well too.

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 Our focus on hygiene and wellness has been a staple of our brand since day one. Originally founded in New Jersey as Fabrictech 2000 by industry veteran Sam Chase, PureCare was one of the first accessory manufacturers to adapt mattress and pillow protectors for the general market. Our patented OmniGuard® Advance protector material remains the premium standard for sanitization with a wash and dry heat tolerance of 220º. Over the past two decades, we’ve employed textile experts and product designers dedicated to putting care into their craft, and have worked with a handful of the world’s most respected wellness and hygiene experts and institutes to ensure our products deliver on our promise of wellness.

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 Family owned and operated, the Hershbain and Bergman families bring over 100 years of combined retail and product development experience to PureCare’s retail partners. Together, our ownership team has paved the way to aggressively expand our product offerings to include protectors, sheets, pillows, and weighted blankets that combine PureCare’s signature responsive fabrics and cleaner sleep treatments. Our innovative and consumer-centric approach to product development has earned us the official seals of both the National Sleep Foundation and the Women’s Choice Award.

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As a “what’s next” culture, PureCare remains constantly focused on continuing our heritage of growth and excellence. In the past three years we have relocated our operations to Phoenix, Arizona where we’ve expanded our warehouses, improved our shipping efficiencies, and most recently, invested in domestic pillow manufacturing with state-of-the-art Brighi machinery. Our newly expanded production capabilities allow us to support our current retailers with incredible quality and accuracy, as well as expand our business opportunities into new categories.

Our ability to quickly source and produce pillows domestically has allowed us to adapt quickly to retailer and mattress manufacturer’s needs during these unprecedented times. PureCare has developed an entire collection of Clean Cover Hospital Pillows that are domestically produced and shipped daily to meet the demands of hospital and government contracts nationwide. We continue to work with our retail partners and industry connections to source a variety of products and PPE.

In all of our goals, initiatives and future aspirations, one idea remains deeply rooted at our core; everything we do, we do with heart. This includes our dedication to supporting and improving the specialty sleep industry. We are true partners to our retailers, responsibly sourcing our products and building strong relationships that serve their needs. We have proudly served as board members and supported important organizations like the SSA and BSC for years. And as always, we remain focused on delivering quality wellness products that help improve the lives of our customers. We care for the wellness of others, pure and simple.

Member Spotlight: TFS Natural Home is Committed to Non-Toxic Furniture For All

TFS Natural Home By The Futon Shop's founder Suzanne Diamond started in 1976 with her commitment to a chemical free lifestyle designing healthy non-toxic futon mattresses. From 1976 to today The Futon Shop has continued that commitment using eco-friendly ingredients to create healthy non-toxic furniture for all. The Futon Shop brand continues to evolve manufacturing their products with an increased emphasis on craftsmanship and high quality chemical-free materials. From The Futon Shop manufacturing floor in San Francisco to their stores throughout California the end goal remains consistent, to empower their customers and the community. Assisting them to live a comfortable and healthy life in their homes.

Suzanne Diamond

These are trying times as the coronavirus continues to spread, the biggest fear is a lack of personal protective equipment. The Futon Shop values the importance of this timing and given the shortage of vital PPE, they are doing their part to answer the call for the common good, by refocusing a large part of their Cut & Sew Department to the production of face masks. The Futon Shop's face masks are not intended to replace medical grade N95 masks, but since the disease spreads by respiratory droplets, they are still a barrier for those exhibiting symptoms of Covid-19. The Futon Shop uses an organic cotton barrier fabric in all of their face masks. The Futon Shop's organic barrier fabric is so tightly woven the spaces between the threads are under 3.5 microns, and filters about at least 95% of very small 3-micron particles.

Masks and face coverings are recommended, but not required, for Americans who go out in public during the coronavirus pandemic. Seven states (Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island) took that guidance further, and they're requiring residents to cover their faces when they visit essential businesses or use public transportation. The CDC recommends wearing face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission. The CDC also advises the use of face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others.  

The Futon Shop is ready to help with bulk orders for medical, government, state, and local use. They are able to provide bulk face masks for retail, personal, and PPE use. All products are manufactured in San Francisco, California in their factories with immediate delivery available. The Futon Shop's research & development department is busy at work designing new types of face masks that could possibly be a better deterrent against COVID and other similar viruses. One of those masks is a Copper Infused Organic Cotton Barrier Face Mask. Copper is well-known for its ability to stop and kill the growth of bacteria and other infectious pathogens. The Futon Shop copper infused masks have 17% copper infused into threads of fabric woven into the cotton and will never wash out. The Futon Shop is making all their masks in adult and children sizes. 
Click here to check out what this kid has to say about his mask.

We all must do our part to prevent the spread of coronavirus and save lives. That’s why it’s essential to slow the spread of Covid-19 through social distancing and protective equipment. By “flattening the curve,” we can help ensure the infections and hospitalizations occur over a longer period of time and don’t overwhelm our medical system and cause a higher death rate. The Futon Shop cannot emphasize enough their appreciation for the life-saving work that our healthcare professionals are doing at this critical time and proud to support them with washable, reusable and sustainable masks.

The Futon Shop brand continues to evolve manufacturing their products with an increased emphasis on craftsmanship and high quality chemical-free materials. When you choose to buy local the value of any product “Made in the USA” represents more than just a victory for small business in America, it means a victory for our neighborhoods as well! The Futon Shop makes the choice not to outsource their manufacturing to anyone else for many reasons. In order to bring you chemical free solutions The Futon Shop carefully monitors the process from start to finish in order to Provide Affordable Made In America Products for Completely Organic lifestyles.

The Breathable® Mesh Mini Crib, A New Standard for Cribs Helps Families Rest Easier

Not just a new concept, a new standard. 

ST. LOUIS PARK, Minn, March 1, 2020 – BreathableBaby® announced the launch of their new Breathable™ Mesh Mini Crib that sets a new standard for cribs. It combines the strength of traditional wood construction—with the peace of mind that‘s possible only with their patented Breathable™ mesh. 

Inspired by the patented and proven Breathable™ Mesh Crib Liner, the new Breathable™ Mesh Mini Crib helps welcome babies home with an extra measure of confidence and control. The strong but gentle mesh sides ensure unrestricted ventilation—and at the same time, eliminate any risk of arms and legs becoming trapped between slats. 

“Babies sleep 14–17 hours a day, so we know how important a crib is as the cornerstone to a safer night’s sleep,” said BreathableBaby CEO, Jen Loesch. “After nearly 20 years of selling our Breathable™ Mesh Crib Liners and hearing moms and dads want a better solution to limb entrapment, we took matters into our own hands. We are proud to launch the first crib of its kind combining the strength and integrity of traditional wood cribs—with the peace of mind that‘s possible only with our patented Breathable™ mesh. Cool, unrestricted ventilation. Zero risk of arms or legs getting stuck between slats. And we launched in a mini size for smaller spaces and to support room sharing, recommended by the AAP to reduce the the risk of SIDS by up to 50%. And at only $299.99 MSRP, it helps provide a safer night’s sleep.” 

The Breathable™ Mesh Mini Crib is made from sustainable New Zealand pine and California Air Resources Board (CARB) compliant composite, leaving our planet a little bit cleaner. Classic, clean and safe. Free from all the bad stuff (non-toxic paint, no lead, phthalates, or formaldehyde). And designed to grow with baby from newborn to 24 months or 35" in height, with a two-position adjustable mattress support. 

The Breathable™ Mesh Mini Crib can be found online at Amazon, Target, Walmart and BuyBuyBaby. 

About BreathableBaby, LLC 

Founded in 2002, BreathableBaby® designs, manufactures and sells simple, smart, safe sleep products that help caregivers feel confident and in control. Safety has always been first, which sparked the invention of the Breathable™ Mesh Crib Liner, an alternative to conventional crib 

bumpers. Safety is the starting point for design, and BreathableBaby takes extra steps, like consulting with doctors, funding sleep research, and applying rigorous testing protocols, to make sure all products are safer for families. 

With nearly 5.0 million Breathable™ Mesh Crib Liners sold, BreathableBaby is committed to be an industry leader in safe sleep by providing parents with products and knowledge that make life easier. Building on years of research and committed to do their part to help reduce the incidents of SIDS and accidental suffocation, BreathableBaby expanded its line-up to include Swaddle Trios with a unique arms up, arms down, arms out feature to grow with baby, Active Swaddle Blankets constructed from premium activewear fabric for parents on the go, Bedding Gift Sets for giving the gift of safe sleep, and the most innovative products yet, Breathable™ Mesh Cribs. These stylish cribs combine the strength and integrity of traditional wood cribs—with the peace of mind that‘s possible only with BreathableBaby’s patented Breathable™ mesh. Cool, unrestricted ventilation and zero risk of arms or legs getting stuck between slats. Say hello to the new standard in cribs. 

BreathableBaby products can be found on online at Amazon, Target, Walmart and BuyBuyBaby and in over 7,500 retail stores in the US, Canada, and select countries worldwide. For more information, go to www.breathablebaby.com. 

BreathableBaby is privately held and headquartered in St. Louis Park, MN. 

Contact: 
Melissa Niebes 
BreathableBaby® 
Tel: +1 763 277 8491 
mniebes@breathablebaby.com 

Member Spotlight: The Morgenstern Family has a History of Designing Quality Mattresses

Pleasant Mattress is a family-owned and operated mattress factory headquartered in Fresno, CA. Their energetic and marketing-savvy CEO Rion Morgenstern is the SSA’s newest board member. When we asked about his company, Rion and his team had this to say:

Rion

It’s the classic question that often reveals a lot about our real world experience—What advice would you give to your younger self? For Rion Morgenstern, the President and CEO Pleasant Mattress, the answer comes naturally, “Live a good story. Live a life that can be retold and people can tell stories about what you’ve done.” This insight quickly becomes a physical reality when Rion proudly gives you a personal tour of the Pleasant facility. As he speaks to their growing “House Of Brands” strategy that has helped triple the size of the company in the past six years, you begin to understand the importance of the STORY behind all of them.

“Brands have a reason for being. There are clear reasons why brands are important,” Morgenstern says. “Different brands serve different needs in the market, and that gives us an opportunity to stand out on retail floors.” He explains that the depth of this belief goes beyond just creating simple logos and taglines. Over the past 3 years, Rion and his team have created an immersive process to engineer a Brand’s DNA that aligns with customer mindsets, as opposed to just hitting price points or chasing demographics. Instead of chasing volume, low margins, and getting caught up in the bed-in-a-box dog fight, they create brand stories that actually mean something to consumers. Combining this with a benefit-focused and high-quality product strategy allows Pleasant to position at higher pricing. It has also allowed the company to expand its reach since high-value, premium-priced beds can be shipped across much larger sales territories.

At this point Morgenstern also makes it clear that they’re not just relying on some form of flashy marketing. “You’re not going to find a better value from any product on the market than what the Morgenstern family puts in a bed. I’m amazingly proud of the quality that my team produces and that we’re designing. The beds are world class, truly.” This commitment to quality has continued on strongly thanks to the hard-working history of Morgenstern’s family itself, which really shines as an American success story.

It all began when Ernst “Ernie” Morgenstern immigrated from Vienna to America and swiftly put his newfound freedom and entrepreneurial spirit to work by stitching together recycled bags for local industries. Within a few years, Ernie’s skills quickly evolved into making mattresses for the central valley area and Pleasant Mattress was born.

As the company grew into its own, so did Ernie’s son Herb. After graduating from Fresno State, Herb joined the company eventually becoming President. With the help of his wife Judy, Herb grew the family business from meager beginnings in chicken coops to a company manufacturing nearly 200,000 pieces per year in a 150,000 square-foot facility.

Father and Son

In 2011, Rion returned from a successful 20-year career in California’s interactive media sector by passionately putting his skill set to work with his dad. When you walk the floor with him and hear about all the new systems or efficiencies, it’s clear that he really jumped right in and spent a lot of time listening, learning, and optimizing. In 2014 Rion was promoted to President and CEO and while the company was already seeing fruits from their resurrection of the Chattam & Wells line, it wasn’t long before he set his sights on another classic brand story as well.

“My father often talked fondly of McRoskey, and I grew up admiring the brand since I was young. We now feel so privileged to be part of such a remarkable brand.” Morgenstern passionately explains that the San Francisco mattress company is also a third generation family business so, the connection was going to be deeper than just a simple business transaction. The Pleasant team started a 2-year process of working with closely with Robin McRoskey Azvedo to ensure both parties goals, standards, and values truly aligned. Meticulous training efforts went into ensuring that McRoskey’s incredible craftsmanship continued by creating a stand alone “McRoskey Works” building at the Pleasant facility. “McRoskey Works is an all-star team of mastercrafters and we are continuing to create life changing sleep.”

Rion and Robin

McRoskey Brand

It’s this dedication to life-changing sleep that also shines in their new collection. The time tested techniques and hallmarks of McRoskey remain in the new Soma Collection, while additions such as an innovative calico pocket coil system has enhanced comfort and even further reduced motion transfer. Morgenstern respectfully pays homage to the fact that, “It took 90 years for someone to create a coil system that could even come close to enhancing the original McRoskey design.” Noting that this wasn’t easy to do, but was really made possible by the tireless team at Pleasant. He candidly admits, “I’m really most proud of the culture we have here at Pleasant Mattress. We have a culture of appreciation and one of hard work.”

And that hard work really shows. Currently McRoskey, Spring Air, Chattam & Wells, Nature’s Rest,, Eclipse, Eastman House and Pure Talalay Bliss, as well as regional brands Cannon, Maxx and are all being produced here. And yes, while Morgenstern didn’t give any specifics, there probably will be some others added to the house of brands strategy soon. We guess you could say that the story of Pleasant Mattress continues to be written, and there are many more stories to come.