Business was brisk at the ISPA Bedding Center at Interzum in Cologne, Germany. Sponsored by the International Sleep Products Association, the Center provided a sharp focus on the global bedding business, with exhibitors from around the world showing every aspect of the mattress manufacturing and marketing process from components to machinery to licensing groups to thousands of high-quality international buyers.

The biennial Interzum trade fair is a five-day international forum for innovations in furniture manufacturing and design, which, this year, featured 1,610 exhibiting companies from 52 countries. "This was the fourth ISPA Bedding Center At Interzum," said ISPA Executive Vice President, Russ Abolt. "Each time the level of interest and activity has increased noticeably. Mattress manufacturers from Asia to the Mideast to South America and Australia are exploring ways to invest in and grow their businesses. For them, Interzum provides a global venue for exploring opportunities to improve product quality, increase productivity and build greater efficiencies."

Bedding Center participants found themselves in the spotlight as more than just exhibitors when they hosted Interzum's first Bedding Industry Party. Exclusive to the bedding industry, this social event brought together their supplier and manufacturer customers and featured the unique Tex-Mex cuisine of San Antonio, the site of next year's major industry gathering the International Bedding Exposition.

The international exchange began before Interzum in an ISPA-sponsored factory tour. Manufacturers from several countries including the United States, Mexico, Canada, Australia and Argentina visited two top European mattress manufacturers: Epeda, the largest manufacturer in France; and Pikolin, the leading manufacturer in the Spanish market. The highly integrated vertical structure these two operations employ impressed even the most experienced veterans in the business, and everyone came away with new ideas and insights for their own businesses. "We truly appreciate this open exchange of information," said Abolt. "By their gracious hospitality, both Epeda and Pikolin reinforced their reputations as outstanding citizens of the international bedding community."

Omni Softgoods' Location Changes At San Francisco Mart

Omni Softgoods, manufacturer of futon covers and home accessories, is moving to a new space at the San Francisco Market. They will be located in Mart One showroom 961, along with futon manufacturer Wolf Corporation, and futon frame supplier Elite Furniture. The dynamic trio will be easy to find right across the hallway from Fashion Bed Group. Omni will be introducing fresh new fabrics, new futon cover construction, new accessories, window treatments, bed tops, and many other new products. Looking forward to seeing you there!

Omni Softgoods made a suede sensation at the FAI show, when they introduced a collection of washable faux suede futon covers that included five beautiful solid colors and one unique print.

"The response to our suede collections was touching. Customers literally couldn't get enough of these soft suede fabrics," said Robin Reid, President of Omni Softgoods. "We had a feeling that these futon fabrics would be a hit, and we just gave customers what they asked for," explained Nancy Colby, Sales Manager. These new suede fabrics were part of Omni's newest updates, which included southwestern, contemporary and, hold on to your bell bottoms, even a couple of retro prints! These fresh new fabrics added a nice touch to Omni's complete line up.

FL