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SPECIAL REPORT by Dale T. Read, Editor-in-Chief |
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In this new era of health-conscious consumers, litigation, government regulations and fines, as well as growing environmental awareness, it is becoming increasingly important for retailers to know what is going on inside a bed. The “Intel® Inside” marketing campaign was created by the micro-chip manufacturer because they knew that consumers wanted a quality product inside their computers. They wanted a brand, a company name they could identify with, count on, and even ask for. More and more consumers, and retailers, a like, need and want to know what is going on with any product they bring into their home, including their bed. What materials are being used for fillers, separators, fibers, quilting, foams and ticking covers? Not only do retailers need to provide inquiring consumers more information, but they need to protect themselves by having as much knowledge as possible about what goes into the various conventional and specialty sleep products they are selling. This special supplier section entitled “In the Bed” is designed to educate the retailer not only about the materials and components but also about the companies supplying those materials and components to mattress/bedding manufacturers. We hope this section is informative and useful for all who read it. |
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Foamex Introduces Four New Advances in Environmental and Performance Mattress Foam Technology
If all indicators are right, Foamex, the well known leader in home furnishings and bedding foam products, will have a huge impact on the bedding marketplace commencing with a flurry of new technology and product introductions at the ISPA EXPO. Foamex is widely recognized for the company’s broadly accepted bedding foam brands including, Aerus™, Energia™, Sensus® and Venus™; the company’s well known “Tough as nails, Smooth as silk” Quiltflex. The company also set the tone as a green or environmentally-friendly pioneer with the adoption of the company’s patented VPF polyurethane foam processing system. Now Steve Hassall, Director of Marketing for Foamex, tells BEDROOM Magazine that his company is charting the future of bedding systems manufacturing with the company’s new theme: “Foamex—Continuing Product Innovations, Environmentally-Sustainable Solutions!”
The first new product offering is a Breathable, Green Memory Foam. Hassall says that Foamex is launching the widest assortment of these “breathable” foams in the industry including 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8 pound per cubic foot versions of the new foam. “No one else in the market is doing this,” says Hassall. “We are introducing this new line under the Aerus Natural brand.” Formerly, Foamex’s “Aerus” foam product referred to a 4.0 pound/cubic foot open-cell (“Breathable”) memory foam which has been in production since ISPA 2006. The company also had “Venus”, their 8 pound foam as the top end anchor to the line.
Hassall explains that Foamex has added a grade on the lower end (3 pound per cubic foot), while continuing to anchor the upper end with the 8 pound foam. At the same time, Foamex has introduced two new formulations: a 5 pound per cubic foot foam (think Sensus Open-Cell, Green) and a step up from there to 6 pound per cubic foot foam.
“We believe this is the broadest assortment of Green Memory Foams in the industry, all of which have been engineered using our exclusive VPF process,” says Hassall. “We are once again, supporting key environmental sustainability initiatives with a ‘foundational’ manufacturing process—VPF—resulting in ‘virtually-zero’ emissions. So besides offering a state-of-the-art environmentally-friendly process, we have also created a product by applying our innovation mindset to create materials that no one else can for the most complete assortment of “Green” solutions in the bedding market niche.”
Capitalizing on a long-time item in Foamex’s portfolio with significant brand equity in a number of channels, the company is introducing two new versions of DriFast known as DriFast Drainable Cushioning to the mattress/bedding manufacturing community.
DriFast as long been known for its greater airflow, due to its extremely open-cell structure. Outdoor furniture manufacturers have used this for years due to its ability to pass water directly through the foam, which allowed for faster drying of outdoor furniture cushioning. The properties that allowed for direct water pass-through, also create high levels of airflow. “We are seeing some customers who have an interest in integrating a layer of DriFast in the bedding build-up to be able to enhance their message around cool, comfortable sleep,” states Hassall.
Foamex is offering these DriFast products to the mattress/bedding industry in two grades—1.20 density, 20 ILD firmness, and a 1.45 density, 20 ILD firmness—both of which are perfect for integrating into mattress constructions. “We offer a broader range of DriFast, but are launching these two specific grades at the bedding products show,” notes Hassall. “DriFast is also made using naturally-renewable ingredients which allows us to incorporate DriFast under our Environmental-Sustainability umbrella.”
Hassall informs BEDROOM Magazine that Foamex is, at the very moment, developing a unique process that will be incorporated into a new 100% All Natural Latex line. We are launching a new product line which includes 100% Natural Latex. While there are a number of suppliers offering All-Natural Latex, we believe our positioning around a new green concept will totally differentiate Foamex from other latex suppliers. Mattress/bedding manufacturers and retailers should stay tuned for this new concept in latex bedding foam manufacturing.
Hassall also shares that Foamex is introducing a complete line of Natural Bedding foam to the bedding industry. “We’ve chosen to do this in a ‘System’ format so that a customer can acquire all of the necessary components—Rails, Cores, Toppers, Quilt Layers—in one complete, engineered-to-work system,” states Hassall. “Rather than just offering several grades of conventional foams, our intent is to ensure that our customers have a complete solution.” The result of these new product introductions is that, when taken as a whole, Foamex can offer a customer a complete material solution—Memory Foams, All-Natural Latex, and Conventional Bedding Foams including high-Airflow options.
Further, Hassall points out that all of these are offered using VPF Technology as Foamex’s differential platform . . . employing the most innovative chemistries to truly offer a broad, “Green” solution to mattress bedding manufacturers, retailers and consumers. “Green” is the way you would expect Foamex to deliver it!”
Mattress manufacturers are invited to visit FOAMEX at the ISPA EXPO at show space number 2129
Manufacturers and retailers interested in learning more about FOAMEX’s extensive line of “green” bedding foam technologies are invited to contact: (800) 766-3626 www.foamex.com |
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