TRINITY, N.C., May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- SEALY CORPORATION
(NYSE: ZZ), the largest bedding manufacturer in the world, has
signed new licensing agreements with two companies to manufacture
and market basic bedding accessories. A new, comprehensive line of
sleep products will be offered by DOWNLITE and AMERICAN TEXTILE
COMPANY beginning early in 2013.
Under the agreements, DOWNLITE will produce and market down and
synthetic filled bedding including pillows, blankets, comforters,
etc, as well as sheeting products, for the Sealy, Sealy
Posturepedic and Stearns & Foster brands. AMERICAN TEXTILE
COMPANY will produce and market mattress and pillow protectors for
the same brands.
"We're taking a fresh look at this category, and have selected
two dynamic organizations known for high-quality products and
innovation," says Sealy President
and Chief Executive Officer Lawrence J. "Larry" Rogers. "They are
forward-thinking, which is consistent with our strategy to grow
through licensing and other strategic partnerships. With this new
direction, Sealy will offer customers down and down-alternative
products, protectors, and encasements that are the best made and
most technologically advanced in the world."
For DOWNLITE, the licensing agreement provides the opportunity
to reach new markets and customers in partnership with Sealy, a
brand recognized as a global leader for more than a century. "This
is a great honor for us and DOWNLITE is extremely proud to be
partnered with a leading brand like Sealy," said James Lape, CEO of DOWNLITE. "Our company is
forever linked with the highest quality and innovation. We are
focused on developing intelligent partnerships, with complementary
brands, who allow us to manifest our corporate strategies."
"We are very excited about our new partnership with Sealy," said
Blake Ruttenberg, EVP of Sales and
Marketing for AMERICAN TEXTILE COMPANY. "This license is a great
addition to our portfolio and will give AMERICAN TEXTILE COMPANY
the opportunity to further capitalize on developing new and
innovative product under the Sealy brand. We believe that our
consumer-focused approach to product development combined with the
power of the Sealy brand will expand the protector category within
the U.S. and Canada."
"We like the culture of innovation we see in both companies,"
says Director of Licensing Margo
Borgione. "We believe the basic bedding category
represents a significant growth opportunity and looked for
technology-driven companies with a proven track record in
developing and marketing innovative products with high consumer
appeal."
About SEALY
Sealy owns one of the largest bedding brands in the world, with
sales of $1.2 billion in fiscal 2011.
The Company manufactures and markets a broad range of mattresses
and foundations under the Sealy®, Sealy Posturepedic®, Sealy
Embody™, Stearns & Foster®, and Bassett® brands. Sealy operates
25 plants in North America, and
has the largest market share and highest consumer awareness of any
bedding brand on the continent. In the
United States, Sealy sells its products to approximately
3,000 customers with more than 7,000 retail outlets. Sealy is also
a leading supplier to the hospitality industry. For more
information, please visit www.sealy.com.
About DOWNLITE
The family owned luxury bedding business has been successfully run
for over twenty-six years by brothers Larry
Werthaiser, Marvin Werthaiser
and longtime family friend Bob
Altbaier. Today, DOWNLITE is the largest and fastest
growing major U.S. luxury down-filled bedding manufacturer.
DOWNLITE's down and down alternative products (comforters, pillows,
mattress pads, feather and fiber beds) are sold under private label
and licensed brands in most department stores, as well as in
specialty stores, wholesale clubs, and catalogs/on-line retailers.
Their luxury bedding can also be found in rooms of upscale hotels
and resorts worldwide. In addition, DOWNLITE sells their quality
bulk down fills to furniture makers, and garment and sleeping bag
manufacturers around the world. For more, see
www.downlite.com.
About AMERICAN TEXTILE COMPANY
AMERICAN TEXTILE COMPANY is a leader in the manufacturing,
marketing and selling of basic bedding products. The Company has
been a successful family owned business for 86 years supplying
quality pillow protectors, mattress protectors, bed pillows,
mattress pads and comforters that provide innovative sleep
solutions to consumers. Today, AMERICAN TEXTILE COMPANY'S products
are sold under private label and best selling company brands,
including Aller-Ease and Rest Right in over 40,000 stores, catalogs
and on-line retailers across the United
States and Canada. Visit
www.americantextile.com for more information.
Media Contact: Michael Murray, Sr
VP General Counsel & Secretary, Sealy
Inc. 336-861-3699
SOURCE Sealy