INDUSTRY UPDATES

King Koil Northeast: Ten Years and Growing

“Our futon sales have continued to grow in the double-digit range thru 2001. We are the ‘quiet’ futon company,” said Steve Byer, Sales Manager at King Koil Northeast, “Yet we’ve been in the futon business for 10 years, selling a full range of futon mattresses, frames (imported and domestic) and covers.”

“We consider our company to be one of the most innovative, versatile, and integrated futon manufacturers in the business today,” said Byer. The company manufactures over 30 futon mattress models which are backed up by a family owned and operated company that has been in the sleep products business for over 80 years — “We are a stable source for a consistent product, and we pride ourselves on providing small business flexibility with large business stability. And to top it all off, we are very competitively priced,” Byer said.

The company recently introduced a luxurious 10 inch futon mattress with a full one inch layer of viscose memory foam in a premium pillow top construction. “We have also added layers of polyester fiber, cotton, and convoluted foam which all help this product conform to your body shape for a fantastic sitting or sleeping experience,” said Byer. “We believe this new product is the most innovative and original futon mattress on the market. Sales thru July have far exceeded expectations,” he said.

Two New Futon Frames debuted in September

“In September, we added two new teak finish frames, and new underframe drawer units (for our bi-fold models) to our line-up of fourteen imported and three domestic frames. We’ve also increased the selection of futon covers (now close to 50 in total), especially in the lower price range. We also offer many of our new covers as “tufted on” casings — they look great.
Byer is also very excited about King Koil’s new pocketed coil supreme futon mattress. The unit is made with densified polyester fiber surrounding cotton, convoluted “Chiro-Zone” foam, and a heavy duty bonded resin pad with mesh.

“Our convoluted foam is “Chiro-Zone” — ergonomically designed with multiple zones of support and comfort to perfectly align the body when used for sleeping,” Byer said. “Sales of this product are swift — proving again that the futon market has matured and accommodates the upper-end consumer,” he said.

For more information contact Steve Byer at King Koil Northeast: 860.688.6496.

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Gold Bond Names Two Key Executives

HARTFORD (CT)— Bedding veterans Andrew R. Freedman and Dennis F. Ferry are the new sales and manufacturing vice presidents at independent bedding manufacturer Gold Bond Mattress, President Robert J. Naboicheck announced.

Andrew Freedman was named Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Gold Bond’s mattress and futon products, a newly created position. Dennis Ferry was named Vice President Manufacturing at the 102-year old mattress manufacturer. Mr. Ferry succeeds Pedro Bravo, who recently retired after 40 years with Gold Bond.

Mr. Freedman is responsible for all aspects of sales and marketing. He entered the bedding industry in 1984 as General Manager of Webster Spring’s South Carolina and Texas factories, with responsibilities that included sales and manufacturing.

A third generation bedding executive, he was named Assistant to the Chairman of Webster Spring, which was established by his grandfather in 1932. He was responsible for corporate productivity and capital investments.

In 1990, he was named President of Serta of the Northeast and Silentnight U.S.A., the U.S. operating division of Great Britain’s largest bedding company Silentnight U.K.

He was most recently an independent manufacturer representative in the Northeast for Park Place mattress and furniture as well as Comfortaire, air supported sleep systems.

Retail-Orientation Emphasized

Mr. Freedman said, “Gold Bond offers our retailers a clearly differentiated product line that competes in a highly profitable way—without sacrificing quality. My grandfather started doing business with (Gold Bond President) Bob Naboicheck’s grandfather back in the Thirties. We’re both third generation bedding people from family-owned factories and long-time associates,” he said.

“Gold Bond dealers enjoy the benefit of a stable and recognizable company that builds mattresses and futons without compromise. Gold Bond supports its dealers with customized advertising for each market’s unique opportunities and requirements. We look forward to helping our retail customers build their business,” Mr. Freedman noted.

Mr. Freedman is a graduate of Tufts University, BA and Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, MBA. He and his wife have two sons and live in Worcester, MA.

New Vice President of Manufacturing

Dennis Ferry, Gold Bond Vice President of Manufacturing, is responsible for all aspects of Gold Bond’s mattress and futon manufacturing, including staffing, materials management, shipping and product development.

He joined the bedding industry in 1983 as Assistant Operations Manager at Simmon’s Jacksonville, FL operation. Subsequently, he was named Simmons first Regional Vice President and General Manager in 1985, assigned responsibility for the Pacific Northwest region.

In 1990 he became General Manager of King Koil’s Pacific Northwest operation additionally overseeing retail operations in Spokane, WA.

Maryland-based Mattress Discounters named him Director of Product Development in 1996. He was responsible for the re-merchandising of their private label mattress line-up, including exclusive trademarked features and benefits. Consequently, the private label grew to exceed over 40% of the retail chain’s total mattress sales volume.

‘Premium Components’

“Gold Bond’s adherence to strict quality-control and top-quality premium components is remarkable in this day and age of mass production and relentless cost-reduction. I’m pleased to be associated with a sleep products manufacturer with a century-old tradition of excellence,” Mr. Ferry said.

He is a graduate of Villanova University, BA, and lives in Bloomfield, CT with his wife Barbara.
Gold Bond, America’s largest futon manufacturer and one of the country’s oldest and largest independent mattress companies, delivers throughout the East Coast and ships to 50 states and 11 countries.

Gold Bond was founded in 1898 and now supplies department stores, furniture stores, bedding and specialty retailers with products, sales support materials and extensive in-store training. Hotels, hospitals, schools, and government institutions are provided with a complete line of mattresses.

For additional information, please contact Bob Naboicheck or Andrew Freedman. Telephone toll free: 800-873-8498.

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Futon Shop Contributes To 9-11 Disaster Relief Fund

October 11, 2001, San Francisco, California. The Futon Shop announced a donation to the New York Firefighters 9-11 Disaster Relief Fund. Suzanne Diamond, CEO of The Futon Shop sent a check for $11,064.43 in response to the events on September 11, 2001. Diamond felt the frustration many other Americans felt in the days following the tragic events of September 11th. She rallied her one hundred plus employees to do something to help. Dedicating a portion of all sales for the week of September 15th to September 23rd, the seventeen stores raised over $11,000 for the New York Firefighters 9-11 Disaster Relief Fund.

“It was something I felt we needed to do,” said Diamond “and it was something our staff and customers could all participate in.”

The Futon Shop is a privately held, vertically integrated retailer with headquarters in San Francisco. The 25-year-old company has seventeen retail stores and two manufacturing plants throughout California.

For more information contact The Futon Shop at 415-298-7995.

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August Lotz Readies New Marketing Support Program For Retailers

Boyd, WI — August Lotz Co., Inc., manufacturer of high quality solid wood futon frames, occasional tables, headboards and futon mattresses announced today that the company will be unveiling a comprehensive support program for retailers who have limited experience with the futon oriented customer. The company president, Mark Schlichter stated “This fresh approach is designed to give the retailer with little or no experience marketing futon frames and mattresses swift, expert training that they can use to hit the ground running. This new program will incorporate new and exciting point of purchase material which will showcase the features which make our product line the best in the industry.”

When questioned for more detail about the new promotional material Schlichter remarked, “The new point of purchase material contains all the necessary tools to effectively demonstrate the patented unique strengths of the August Lotz designs. It will contain information pertaining to the history of the company, why we use the kinds of select wood we do. And why these are a benefit to the customer. We will have similar information pertaining to our mattress line so that the customer will be better able to understand the difference between an average mattress versus a quality August Lotz mattress. This new program will generate a lot of excitement… and sales.”

August Lotz also has some exciting new added benefits to their lower cost frames. While Schlichter wouldn’t state exactly what they were, he did state that it will “…spur those retailers who think they know our product to take a second look” and that “…they will be unveiled very soon.”

For more information about these new products or any other of August Lotz Co., Inc. products, please call 1-800-826-7326.

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LifeStyle Covers Says- We Love New York

Life Style Futon, a New York City based manufacturer and retailer, recently announced that seven percent of all sales from October 11th through November 11th, 2001 was donated to the Twin Towers Fund. “We gratefully acknowledge our loyal customers and friends in this effort to support our country and have donated $8,815.89 to the Twin Towers Fund, New York City in support of the victims families of the September 11, 2001 disaster,” said Arthur and Lillian Nazginov of Lifestyle.

For more information contact Life Style Futon at 800-478-5089.

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Wolf Corporation Showcases New Product at High Point Trade Show

Fort Wayne, Indiana—Wolf Corporation of Fort Wayne, Indiana showcased a revolutionary new product at the High Point, North Carolina Furniture Trade Show in 2001. Wolf has changed locations within the trade show. The company’s booth will now be located at IHFC Building M632. Previously, Wolf’s booth was located in the lower level of the trade show building.

The new product, Aerolife, combines nature and technology to create a revolutionary fiber to be used in futon mattresses. “Aerolife is unlike any product currently available,” says Wolf president Tony Wolf. “It’s destined to change the industry. We’re expecting a lot of excitement following the High Point show.”

Wolf Corporation has been in the home furnishings business for more than 128 years, creating mattresses and fibers for bedding and futons. Over the years the company has introduced many industry innovations that have helped make them a leader in the mattress and futon industry.

For more information, contact Gary Cohen at 800-642-9653, ext. 139.

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Omni announces New GM and Fleece Line

A new line of rustic fleece fabrics made its debut with Omni Softgoods Fall 2001 fabric update. Available in both patterns and solids, this beefy fleece is ultra soft, fully washable, and features a decorative blanket stitched edge on most items. While nearly all Omni product are available in fleece, the most popular items to date include pillows, throws, log furniture cushions, and myriad options for the top of the bed.

Omni Softgoods president, Robin Reid, has also appointed Marcia Nachreiner as a general manager. Marcia joined the accounting department in August of 2000 as the accounts receivable lead. She brings thirteen years of managerial experience to the position, seven years in distribution and six years in sales.

“As general manager my goals are to continue to offer great customer service and a quality product while growing the business,” she said. Nachreiner assumed her new position on September 1st of this year.

For more information contact Omni Softgoods at 800-283-8037.

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Otis Bed To Team With New Energy

Otis Bed Manufacturing of Buffalo, NY is extremely pleased to announce that New Energy Bedrooms of Christiansburg, VA will distribute its line of tufted foam futon mattresses. New Energy will also represent Otis Bed within their service area that includes PA, NJ, MD, DE, VA, WV, NC, SC, GA, AL and parts of NY, OH, and KY. Otis’ strong desire to be a part of New Energy’s high quality service organization made it possible for dealer’s cost to be the same or, in some cases, less than their current landed cost. New Energy will bring the Stratosphere, Haley 110, Moonshadow and Gemini to their warehouse in full trailer load quantities as much lower freight rates and then pass any savings on to New Energy dealers.

Otis Bed, who has been in business since 1882, are the originators of futon mattresses that contain more foam than fiber. The “cost-less” primarily high-density foam futon construction has been proven through extensive load testing to maintain its shape and feel significantly better than primarily fiber futon mattress constructions.

New Energy Bedrooms, started in 1979, maintains 150,000 square foot warehouse. New Energy stocks master bedrooms, youth bedrooms and bunk beds, over sixty futon frames with a large selection of covers, and their own line of Sensa® patented specialty sleep products.

New Energy is also a major importer of futon frames, and is involved in the manufacturing and marketing of their domestic futon frame program made in Asheville, NC.

You can contact Otis at 1-800-588-OTIS, or New Energy Bedrooms at 1-800-368-0999. New Energy also maintains a web site for dealer referrals at www.newenergybedrooms.com.

Burlington To Show New Textures Line at San Francisco Market

Burlington Futon Company will introduce some distinctive new textures with their new fabric collection debuting at the San Francisco show in January. For the first time they will show a teddy bear-like fabric named Cuddly and a breathable leather-like fabric with cowhide texture available in Black and Espresso.

The new collection expands Burlington Futon Company’s washable fabrics. Building on the success of Denver (suede) and Aries (microfiber) they will be adding several new colors.

Other fabrics include bright and colorful fabrics with a retro look, some classic florals in sage and reds and two novelties in earth tones featuring wildlife with a Western theme.

Burlington Futon Company is now offering the “Futon Cover Set” in their U Select program. This is their answer for a better quality pillow pack. A set includes a full or queen futon cover and two 20” pillows and two 9x21” bolsters packed in a clear zippered bag. The pillows and bolsters have removable covers. The Cover sets are available in over 20 fabrics mostly prints with bright and cheery colors.

For additional information call Burlington Futon at 800-862-5986.

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SIS Covers Fresh Line Now In Stores

SIScovers’ new line of fabrics, previewed in High Point, should be in stores now. Choose from a variety of styles ranging from retro tropical to vintage modernism, from formal extravagance to modified mission. Please call if you have not yet received these extraordinary exciting fabrics. Also available now are dozens of new fringes to make your pillows look magnificent! The new fringe samples are available by request so do not hesitate to call for the samples. In this tough business climate it is more important than ever to keep your store looking fresh. Change your covers often to keep the consumer coming back. With SIScovers new line, you will have no problem reinventing your store by putting your best cover forward.

For more information contact SIS Covers at 763-789-0956.

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Viking Introduces Front-Operated “Wall Hugger” Futon Frame

St. Joseph, Minnesota — Viking Industries, a manufacturer of quality futon frames, will be introducing a wall hugger futon frame at the upcoming Chicago Futon Expo & Specialty Sleep show in March 2002.

Viking has created its very own wall hugger frame that can be reclined without being pulled away from the wall. Not only is this frame a wall hugger, it is also a front-operated frame. Like all other Viking futon frame products, the new frame can be reclined and re-seated completely from the front of the frame. To assure consumers that they are getting a piece of fine furniture Viking will place its lifetime warranty behind the frame.

The new wall hugger will be constructed from red elm and will be available in all sizes, except Queen.

For more information contact Viking Futons at 320-259-0909.