King Koil Northeast has Full Line of Frames and Mattresses
In 1993, King Koil's Northeast licensee, Blue Bell Mattress of Windsor, CT, decided to enter the futon market. In doing so, King Koil decided to build a complete futon program made up of frames, futon mattresses, and futon covers. They felt that the futon market was healthy and growing (a trend, not a fad), and a great compliment to King Koil's existing business. They started slowly, being careful not to make mistakes that could jeopardize the credibility and the good will that King Koil/Blue Bell had built through the years selling conventional bedding. However, soon into the process, Steve Byer learned that building a quality futon frame was more difficult and complicated than appearances would suggest.
King Koil built their futon frames from a furniture maker's perspective. They decided to use only select 5/4" stocks on all 6 longitudinal cross-rails, with the slats recessed into the rails using a full 3/4" dado joint, 3/8" deep. The slats are pinned and glued from the bottom of the frame. There are no rough edges on these frames. The lumber is all select 8% kiln dried, and run through computerized molders, fully sanded, and finished with a three-coat process. King Koil even bevel-sands the bottom of the legs to prevent minute chipping. Dowel joints and biscuit joints are common. Company sales people often demonstrate the strength of King Koil futon frames by jumping up and down on the top demonstrating that they are built to last.
King Koil has 10 bi-fold frame styles, some available in a few finishes. Bi-fold futon frames are priced between $99.95 for the Classic Maple and $219.50 for the Eastern White Ashwood. The company has had particular success with its 1996 line. Since the beginning of the year, they have introduced the Scottsdale, an Eastern White Ash futon frame with a Southwestern design; the Oslo, an elegant Eastern White Ash bent-arm frame; and the Ashlander, an Eastern White Ash 5" wide arm top frame. Sales have tripled when compared to 1995. The Nordica futon frame, a version of the Oslo with a Mission look, was introduced at the Futon show in May, '96 and is off to a fast start.
King Koil's futon mattress line has tripled in sales in 1996, as well. Specialty futon mattresses are leading the way. All of their mattresses are made with a 7 1/2 ounce twill covering, with a high grade cotton batting with linter and staple, and with a nylon zippered end with the zipper hidden in a pocket for a classic "tailored" look. The Kormfort Koil Innerspring is one of the only innerspring futons available with a flex-net polypropelene insulator over the coils to prevent fill from caving into the unit. Most manufacturers use a cloth or paper covering, but coming from a conventional mattress maker's perspective, King Koil needed the "real stuff". They also use convoluted foam in the innerspring futons for an even more luxurious feel.
The Chico Luxury Firm futon is made with a wool blend wrap for a great surface feel, and with a hair pad core for long lasting support, firmness, and durability. The hair paid is a material used in the finest of conventional bedding in the United States and still used quite often in Europe. For those who desire a firmer sit or sleep, or have a sore back, this is the answer. King Koil's new EuroPlush fiber and foam futon, at $99.00, was also introduced at the Providence futon show. It is lighter, extremely plush, and off to a very fast start.
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