Edited by:
Dale T. Read, Editor-in-Chief
North
American bedding manufacturers, retailers and consumers all benefit
from the availability of all-natural latex from ARPICO USA. Many
retailers in the U.S., who are interested in the nature, quality,
and performance aspects of latex, have recently become familiar with
the Talalay® process offered by well-recognized suppliers in the
U.S. and Europe. Fewer retailers have really understood the options
available and the excellent characteristics of all-natural latex
made available in bedding and pillow products by large rubber
plantations, and the supplier who market this natural form of foam
rubber. Natural Latex is durable, hygienic, and it has
hypoallergenic and therapeutic properties. According to company
sources, natural rubber latex is highly recommended for those having
eczema, hay fever, asthma and respiratory problems.
ARPICO
USA, located in Sri Lanka, is in fact one of the largest suppliers
of all-natural latex in the world. Back in the 1980’s, the Sri
Lankan Government decided to privatize the country’s rubber
plantations. In the late 1980’s this privatization program created
the opportunity for The Richard Pieris Co, LTD (Arpico), to purchase
and operate the largest rubber plantation in Sri Lanka.
With the opportunity to introduce 100% all-natural latex to the U.S.
market, industry veteran Dick Gurian took the initial steps to bring
all-natural latex into North America in the early 1990’s. Gurian
worked closely with R&D and production executives at ARPICO to test
market the product in Sri Lanka before bringing the latex into the
U.S. After considerable experimentation and actual commercial use in
Sri Lankan Hotels, ARPICO was able to achieve the necessary quality
for use in the U.S. market. Developing a strategic marketing
alliance with U.S. bedding major Englander Co, ARPICO USA was able
to successfully introduce and market 100% all-natural “Laytex” into
the U.S.
Veritcal Integration and Expertise at All Levels
Most
US retailers and many manufacturers do not know that ARPICO owns and
operates the biggest rubber plantations in Sri Lanka. The company
uses 100% all-natural latex from its own rubber plantations. ARPICO
has been able to distinguish itself not only by its size, but also
because of its fully integrated vertical operation. The company’s
vertically integrated business structure demonstrates expertise at
all stages: from plantation management, research and development,
manufacturing to shipping. This expertise has strengthened ARPICO’s
capabilities to provide a high quality product to service its global
customers.
ARPICO executives stress that the company’s top priorities are
quality and service. The ARPICO strategy to own and operate a
centrifuging facility is a step forward to ensure quality control
levels at every critical level of its operation. The company has
earned the ISO 9002 for “quality systems-mode” for quality assurance
in production and for service followed by highest quality standards
for durability by LGA. The on going in-house R&D work has been done
in order to improve latex surface quality levels, and it is expected
that these improvements will be fully implemented at the commercial
production level this coming summer.
In order to make sure there is consistency in quality, the company
has introduced a 14 stage Q/C assurance process unique to its
operation. There are multiple tests that are conducted at different
stages of this process including testing latex at the pre-delivery
stage, at the latex storage stage, and at the compounding stage to
name a few.
Not
only does ARPICO have the largest rubber tree plantations in Sri
Lanka, the company also has two manufacturing plants in Sri Lanka
designed specifically to manufacture 100% All-Natural Latex pillows
& mattresses exclusively for export.
ARPICO continues to use the Dunlop Manufacturing Process, which
according to ARPICO executives ensures superiority in the structure
of the foam. The improved methods implemented at different stages of
the manufacturing process such as filling methods, washing and
continuous drying have enhanced the overall quality of the end
product.
ARPICO’s new ownership from the UK has experience and technical
background in the highly complex and sophisticated manufacturing of
automotive parts. As the inventers of Drive- By -wire technology for
the European automotive industry the new owners have had a profound
influence on ARPICO latex manufacturing allowing the company to
reach new heights in quality standards. Company Chairman, Dr. Sena
Yaddehige, (with a PhD. in engineering) has provided ARPICO with new
process ideas, innovative engineering techniques, quality control
improvements, and design engineering capabilities to further improve
ARPICO’s 100% natural latex program.
The
UK-based; engineering team has made a tremendous impact upon
ARPICO’s overall program. As a result, the company is now in a
position to help create new product designs to best suit any
customer requirement for latex pillows or mattresses. ARPICO is
perhaps the only latex manufacturer which has the capability of
manufacturing all U.S. standard mattresses including California King
Size cores in a 6” height without fabrication. The company has the
capability to produce multiple zone pillows & mattress cores,
convoluted toppers, regular latex toppers, and presently offers over
50 different product types to customers from around the world.
Richard Peiris Exports (ARPICO) has its own marketing offices in the
US, Europe & the Asian pacific regions. The company’s marketing
philosophy is to help build a successful business for its customers
by working with them closely on programs specifically designed to
best suit the customer’s requirements, and thus grow the business
together as a team. ARPICO believes the success of the company’s
100% all-natural latex program is a reflection of the real belief
and commitment to natural latex by the company’s valued business
partners. According to V.P. of Marketing, Mithra Weerasinghe, a
close working relationship and alliance has developed over the years
between ARPICO USA and such loyal customers as FIBEX, Sleep-comp and
the of course, the Englander group. ARPICO’s ongoing expansion
programs including capacity, and buffer stock, will lead to the
reduction of manufacturing lead-time up to one week while ongoing
developments will be carried out in all service areas.
Retailers and manufacturers of mattresses and top of bed products
can find out more about ARPICO USA and 100% all natural latex
by contacting Mithra Weerasinghe at:
1-905-840-0864
Arpicousa@aol.com
www.arpico.com
