Christine Foster
three PR
404.835.4524
cfoster@3atlanta.com
Katie O’Neill
three PR
404.835.4527
koneill@3atlanta.com
-New mattresses incorporate combination of technologies for next-generation comfort and design-
(ATLANTA – January 25, 2008) – Simmons Bedding Company announced today that it is introducing two new line extensions at next week’s Las Vegas Furniture Market—the Beautyrest® NxG™ Series and the Beautyrest Black™ Custom Collection. The new beds build upon Simmons’ history of innovation by incorporating the latest comfort materials and design technologies.
The combination of technologies used in the hybrid design of the Beautyrest® NxG™ Series enables consumers to experience both the benefits of Pocketed Coil® springs and NxG™ Advanced Memory Foam, while the Beautyrest Black™ Custom Collection allows consumers to personalize the comfort of their bed.
“We designed our product introductions to offer consumers new options and greater flexibility when it comes to how a mattress meets their specific sleep needs,” said Tim Oakhill, Simmons executive vice president of marketing. “We are focused on building upon Simmons’ stable of brands and technologies to continue bringing a great shopping experience to consumers and an easy selling process to dealers. Thanks to the Beautyrest® NxG™ Series and the Beautyrest Black™ Custom Collection, we continue to push the envelope.”
In the Beautyrest® NxG™ Series, the legendary motion separation and conformability of the Beautyrest® mattress meet the advanced performance of Next-Generation Memory Foam,
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which was pioneered in the Comforpedic® line.
The beds feature NxG™ Advanced Memory Foam on top of the original Simmons® Beautyrest® Pocketed Coil® springs, creating a unique feel for consumers as well as a strong selling story for dealers. The technology combination provides consumers with the motion separation and conformability benefits of the signature Beautyrest® Pocketed Coil® design and the heat dissipation, quicker recovery and consistent comfort qualities of Next-Generation Memory Foam technology as featured in the ComforPedic® line.
“There is a segment of bedding consumers that is interested in specialty sleep technology but is not quite ready to purchase an all-foam bed,” said Rolf Sannes, Beautyrest brand director. “We view the Beautyrest® NxG™ Series as an introduction to our Crossover™ category, which eases these consumers into the specialty sleep arena. This collection lets them experience the benefits of both NxG™ Advanced Memory Foam and the trusted Beautyrest® Pocketed Coil® springs simultaneously.”
“The addition of the ComforPedic® products to Simmons’ portfolio last summer provided us with a truly unique and proprietary foam technology that we knew we could leverage throughout our other product lines,” said Oakhill. “The ComforPedic® brand has quickly become an integral part of Simmons, and the inclusion of NxG™ Advanced Memory Foam technology in our flagship line is evidence of that fact.”
The six models in the Beautyrest® NxG™ Series also feature the company’s patent-pending EvenLoft™ construction, which allows consumers to come in closer contact with the luxurious comfort and conformability of NxG™ Advanced Memory Foam and Beautyrest® Pocketed Coil® technology. The collection has a suggested retail price range of $1,999 to $3,599.
With a layer of Advanced Pocketed Coil™ springs that gently conform to the shape of the body, the Beautyrest Black™ Custom Collection offers the same enhanced durability and unsurpassed motion separation as the original Beautyrest Black™ luxury line with one big difference—personalized comfort. Consumers can customize the comfort by choosing from different types of soft, supportive latex foam for either a firmer or plusher feel all over the mattress, or customers can select the Dual Comfort® Option, where both partners select the
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comfort option they like best for their side of the bed.
“An individual’s comfort preference is an extremely personal decision, and unfortunately many couples have had to compromise on this very important aspect in order to please their partner,” said Mark Owen, Simmons’ vice president of brand management. “We feel that our luxury customers should not have to compromise on anything and developed the Beautyrest Black™ Custom Collection to address the comfort needs and desires of both partners.”
The Beautyrest Black™ Custom Collection also features a layer of Next-Generation Memory Foam as well as silk upholstery to deliver the ultimate in sleeping comfort and true luxury. The high-end collection has a suggested retail price range of $5,999 to $6,499.
Simmons will exhibit the Beautyrest® NxG™ Series and a new ComforPedic® pillow program, plus the ComforPedic® and Natural Care™ lines at its main showroom (World Market Center, building A, space 525) during next week’s Las Vegas Furniture Market. The Beautyrest Black™ Custom Collection will be displayed in Simmons’ second showroom (World Market Center, building A, space 946) and is open to retailers by invitation only. The second showroom will also house new Simmons Kids® baby mattresses along with the company’s Beautyrest® and Deep Sleep® offerings. For additional information on Simmons® products, please visit www.simmons.com.
Atlanta-based Simmons Company, through its indirect subsidiary Simmons Bedding Company, is one of the world’s largest mattress manufacturers, manufacturing and marketing a broad range of products under brands including Beautyrest®, Beautyrest Black™, Natural Care™, ComforPedic by Simmons™ , Beautyrest Beginnings™ and Deep Sleep®. Simmons Bedding Company operates 21 conventional bedding manufacturing facilities and two juvenile bedding manufacturing facilities across the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Simmons also serves as a key supplier of beds to many of the world’s leading hotel groups, casinos and resort properties. Simmons is committed to developing superior mattresses and promoting a higher quality sleep for consumers around the world. For more information, visit the company’s Web site at www.simmons.com.
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This press release includes forward-looking statements that reflect our current views about future events and financial performance. Words such as “estimates,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “plans,” “intends,” “believes,” “forecasts” and variations of such words or similar expressions that predict or indicate future events, results or trends, or that do not relate to historical matters, identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date of this call. These forward-looking statements are expressed in good faith and we believe there is a reasonable basis for them. However, there can be no assurance that the events, results or trends identified in these forward-looking statements will occur or be achieved. Investors should not rely on forward-looking statements because they are subject to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations. These factors include, but are not limited to: (i) competitive pricing pressures in the bedding industry; (ii) legal and regulatory requirements; (iii) the success of our new products and the future costs to roll out such products; (iv) our relationships with and viability of our major suppliers; (v) fluctuations in our costs of raw materials; (vi) our relationship with significant customers and licensees; (vii) our ability to increase prices on our products and the effect of these price increases on our unit sales; (viii) an increase in our return rates and warranty claims; (ix) our labor relations; (x) departure of our key personnel; (xi) encroachments on our intellectual property; (xii) our product liability claims; (xiii) our level of indebtedness; (xiv) interest rate risks; (xv) foreign currency exchange rate risks; (xvi) compliance with covenants in our debt agreements; (xvii) our future acquisitions; (xviii) our ability to successfully integrate Simmons Canada and ComforPedic into our operations; (xix) our ability to achieve the expected benefits from any personnel realignments; (xx) our ability to successfully implement our new enterprise resource planning system; and (xxi) other risks and factors identified from time to time in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, either to reflect new developments or for any other reason.