Category: SSB

Serta Simmons Bedding Takes Decisive Actions to Strengthen Financial Position and Drive Long-Term Growth

Commences Voluntary Pre-Arranged Chapter 11 Proceedings to Deleverage Balance Sheet

Service to Retail Customers and Sleepers Continuing as Usual and Will Be Unaffected by Chapter 11 Proceedings

DORAVILLE, GA – Jan. 23, 2023 – Serta Simmons Bedding, LLC (“SSB” or the “company”), one of the leading global sleep companies, today announced that the company is taking steps to strengthen its financial position as it continues to support long-term growth.

SSB has entered into a Restructuring Support Agreement with key financial stakeholders that will significantly reduce the company’s debt and enable the company to continue making critical investments in its business and brands. To implement the restructuring contemplated by the agreement, most of SSB’s U.S. corporate entities have initiated a voluntary pre-arranged court-supervised process under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.

The company is operating as normal and is serving retail partners and sleepers as usual. SSB’s manufacturing facilities are fulfilling orders, and the company is continuing to work with suppliers and vendors in the ordinary course of business. SSB also has meaningful launches planned for this year from Serta and Beautyrest.

“SSB has a deep heritage in providing industry-leading sleep solutions,” said Shelley Huff, CEO of SSB. “With the support of key financial stakeholders, we are taking steps to strengthen our financial position. After the conclusion of this process, we will have a stronger financial foundation to drive profitable growth and continue delivering the high-quality, innovative products that our company is known for. Looking ahead, we will remain focused on launching new innovations, further building a high-performing and resilient supply chain and expanding the commercial side of our business to meet demand for our trusted brands and products.”

“We thank our retail partners and suppliers for their continued support as we move forward with this process,” added Huff. “We are also grateful to our associates for their continued commitment to executing on our mission to help people sleep better so they can live healthier lives.”

Additional Information about the Restructuring Support Agreement and the Court-Supervised Process

The Restructuring Support Agreement has been agreed to by approximately 81% of the company’s first lien, first out priority term loan lenders and approximately 77% of its first lien, second out priority term loan lenders (collectively, the “consenting creditors”), as well as a majority of SSB’s existing equity holders (the “consenting equity”).

To implement the terms of the Restructuring Support Agreement, including a comprehensive balance sheet restructuring pursuant to a pre-arranged Chapter 11 plan of reorganization that is attached as an exhibit to the Restructuring Support Agreement, SSB and most of its U.S. corporate entities filed voluntary petitions under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas (the “Court”). Today’s filings do not include SSB’s Canadian or Puerto Rican operations.

The restructuring will substantially reduce the company’s funded debt from approximately $1.9 billion to approximately $300 million and enable the company to continue making critical investments in its business and brands. The company has received a commitment for a $125 million exit ABL Credit Facility available upon SSB’s emergence from Chapter 11.  The company has also obtained a debtor-in-possession financing in the form of a $125 million ABL Credit Facility. Upon Court approval, the new financing, along with approximately $170 million of cash on hand as of the filing date, and cash generated from the company’s ongoing operations, will be used to support the business during the court-supervised process.

SSB has filed a number of customary “first day” motions seeking Court approval to support its operations during the court-supervised process, including the continued payment of employee wages and benefits without interruption, as well as the continued support of its customer programs and consumer product warranties. The company is also seeking Court permission to pay suppliers, either during the Chapter 11 process or upon emergence from it, for goods and services that were provided prior to the bankruptcy filing date. The company expects business to continue as usual throughout the process and trade vendors and suppliers will be paid in full under normal terms for goods and services provided on or after the filing date.

Additional information regarding the court-supervised process is available on SSB’s restructuring website, www.SSBRestructuring.com. Court filings and other information related to the proceedings are available on a separate website administrated by the company’s claims agent, Epiq, at https://dm.epiq11.com/sertasimmons; by calling Epiq toll-free at 877-618-5414, or 503-966-3043 for calls originating outside of the U.S.; or by emailing sertasimmonsinfo@epiqglobal.com.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP is serving as SSB’s legal counsel, Evercore Group L.L.C. is serving as SSB’s investment banker, and FTI Consulting, Inc. is serving as SSB’s financial and restructuring advisor.  Gibson Dunn & Crutcher, LLP is legal counsel to the consenting creditors and Centerview Partners LLC is investment banker to the consenting creditors. Ropes and Gray LLP is serving as legal counsel to Advent International Corporation.

About Serta Simmons Bedding

Serta Simmons Bedding (SSB) is one of the leading global sleep companies. With a 150-year heritage in delivering industry-leading sleep solutions and a mission to help people sleep better so they can live healthier lives, the company is headquartered in Doraville, GA, and owns top brands such as Serta®, which has five other independent licensees, Beautyrest®, Tuft & Needle® and Simmons®. For more information about SSB and its brands, visit www.sertasimmons.com.

Contact:

SSB Communications Department

SSBCommunications@sertasimmons.com

 

Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher

Ed Trissel / Aaron Palash / Viveca Tress

212-355-4449

Serta Simmons Bedding Announces Updates to Key Lines in its Serta and Beautyrest Portfolio

Unveils New Serta iComfortECO Collection Incorporating More Sustainable Materials

New Take on Serta Perfect Sleeper to Deliver Trademark Comfort at More Accessible Price Points

Plans to Expand Beautyrest Harmony Collection in 2023

Doraville, Ga. (Jan. 19, 2023) – Serta Simmons Bedding (SSB), one of the leading global sleep companies, today announced updates to key lines in its mattress portfolio across its Serta® and Beautyrest® brands. Highlight launches, which will be on display at Winter Las Vegas Market beginning Jan. 29, include the next generation of Serta’s iComfort® line, Serta iComfortECOTM, which integrates more sustainable materials, as well as the improved Serta Perfect Sleeper® collection, which delivers the brand’s trademark comfort as well as zoned support, at more accessible price points. In addition, SSB announced that it will be unveiling updates to its Beautyrest Harmony® collection later this year.

“At SSB, we have a rich history in innovation,” said Shelley Huff, CEO of SSB. “This includes serving sleepers with high-value products offering industry-leading performance across a wide range of price tiers. The collections we are launching this year across Serta and Beautyrest further build on this heritage, delivering a strong value proposition as well as feature sets that sleepers have been asking for, such as the integration of more sustainable materials.”

Serta iComfortECO

Serta iComfortECO, which is scheduled to launch to sleepers beginning in April 2023, features the comfort, support and cooling Serta iComfort is known for while incorporating more sustainable materials. Available in quilted hybrid, smooth hybrid and all-foam constructions, highlight features include:

  • Each Queen Mattress Includes Recycled Plastics Equivalent to More than 120 Recycled Plastic Water Bottles – The Serta iComfortECO mattress CoolTemp™cover is made in part with REPREVE® performance fiber which is made from recycled plastic bottles. Separately, recycled plastics have also been integrated into the bottom support layer of the mattress.
  • New 5-Zone System Featuring a Quad-Coil Design for Improved Support – The new coil found in the hybrid models also leverages a glue-less design and is made from 85% recycled steel.
  • Terra FusionTM Memory Foam – This foam layer, which can be found towards the top of the mattress, is made from nearly 30% plant-based content that has USDA BioPreferred Certification.

Serta iComfortECO will be available for suggested retail prices ranging from $1299 to $3499.

Serta Perfect Sleeper

Serta’s new Perfect Sleeper national collection, available in innerspring and smooth hybrid constructions, will also launch beginning this spring and offers:

  • More Accessible Price Points – The line will now be available to consumers starting at a suggested retail price of $599, representing a more than 30 percent savings compared to the previous opening suggested price point. Across the line, suggested pricing will range from $599 – $1,299.
  • Zoned Support at Every Price Level –Addressing consumer demand for pressure relief, zoned support is featured across the entire Perfect Sleeper collection. Serta is offering support solutions ranging from a three-zoned 850-coil density system at the top of the line to an 825-coil density system with a center-support gel band in the entry level models.
  • Breathable Foam Layers and Cool-to-the-Touch Cover – Building on the success of previous iterations of the line, the new Perfect Sleeper will offer a mix of different memory foams as well as a cool-to-the-touch cover for enhanced comfort on the higher-end models.
  • On-Trend Design – The collection features a new bold and modern look inspired by fashion and interior design trends.

“Sleepers have trusted the Serta brand to deliver our trademark comfort for more than 90 years and we have long stood for providing significant value across price points,” said Laura Brewick, President, Serta. “Our latest iteration of iComfort builds on the collection’s performance legacy and marries the latest in support and comfort with sustainability, while Serta Perfect Sleeper will bring the line to a wide range of sleepers through more accessible pricing.

Newness Coming from Beautyrest

On the heels of the successful relaunch of Beautyrest Black®, SSB will be updating and expanding its Harmony® collection later this year further building on the sustainable aspects of the current line.

New Collections on Display at Las Vegas Market

Serta iComfortECO and Serta Perfect Sleeper will be on display at the Winter Las Vegas Furniture Market in Suite B1265, a Serta-dedicated showroom. In addition, SSB will be showcasing the latest Beautyrest collections, including Beautyrest Black®, as well as recent launches from Tuft & Needle in the adjacent Suite B1201.

About Serta Simmons Bedding

Serta Simmons Bedding (SSB) is one of the leading global sleep companies. With a 150-year heritage in delivering industry-leading sleep solutions and a mission to help people sleep better so they can live healthier lives, the company is headquartered in Doraville, GA, and owns top brands such as Serta®, which has five other independent licensees, Beautyrest®, Tuft & Needle® and Simmons®. For more information about SSB and its brands, visit www.sertasimmons.com.

Press Contact:
ssbcommunications@sertasimmons.com

Tuft & Needle Opens New Retail Store in Durham, North Carolina

By Daniel Sanchez, Head of Retail, Serta Simmons Bedding

Our Tuft & Needle brand is centered on the belief that everyone deserves a good night’s rest and to wake up awake. Our retail shops across the U.S. bring this brand mission to life, enabling sleepers to fully experience all aspects of Tuft & Needle.  

Today, we are excited to announce the grand opening of our latest retail store.

Located in Durham, NC, the new shop features:

  • Tuft & Needle Sleep Vignettes – We have created vignettes around our award-winning mattresses – the Original, Mint (which was relaunched this year) and Hybrid. Each vignette also features Tuft & Needle bedframes as well as bedding and sleep solutions.

The new Tuft & Needle store (7001 Fayetteville Road, Suite 101 in Durham) is one of eight that we have in the U.S. And, we’re making it easier than ever for Durham residents to shop this holiday season with up to 30% off select bedding, furniture and giftable sleep essentials, and up to 20% off mattresses. We can’t wait to hear what you think.  

Heading Home for the Holidays? Serta Simmons Bedding Reveals New Survey Uncovering What is Keeping Americans from Sleeping Well During the Holiday Season

As we approach the festive time of year, many people have inevitable changes to their routines that can impact their sleep – from kids home on school break to holiday travel. With that in mind, we recently commissioned a survey with OnePoll* to discover how Americans’ sleep habits are impacted during the holiday season and found the following:

  • Hosts Lose Sleep. A Lot of It. Our survey found that those hosting friends and family during the holidays lose two and a half hours of sleep per day when prepping to have others in their home. Of all the generations, Gen Z is the most likely to lose at least FOUR hours of sleep per day when preparing to host overnight guests.
  • Guests Are Getting Less Sleep, Too. Those who are guests during the holidays reported that their sleep schedules were disrupted as well. Seventy-five percent of those surveyed said they feel compelled to go to sleep and wake up at the same time as their hosts. Across generations, Gen Z was again the most likely to miss out on a good night’s rest whereas Baby Boomers were the most likely to get their normal shut-eye (83% of Gen Z guests reported matching their hosts’ sleep schedule compared to only 61% of Baby Boomers.)
  • Younger Generations are the Most Sleepless During the Holidays. Regardless of whether they are hosts or guests, more than a third of those surveyed shared that the holidays are the most sleepless time of the year (34%) and that number jumps to 40% for Millennials and Gen Z. Some of the reasons people report losing out on sleep include excitement for the holiday season (33%), indulging in too many holiday treats (21%) and holiday movie marathons (20%).
  • Hosts are Trying to Help Their Guests Sleep Better. The majority of hosts (70%) shared they make special adjustments to guest beds and rooms during the holidays, including changing the sheets (24%), and providing additional blankets and pillows (21% and 20%, respectively).

While there are many distractions keeping people awake during the holidays, there are several ways to ensure you get a good night’s rest, whether you’re hosting or guesting.

  • Whenever Possible, Stick to a Consistent Sleep Routine. Our bodies crave consistency. Many people go to sleep and wake up at different times from day to day, but consistency can improve your sleep quality. I suggest doing your best to stick to your normal routine, which may include daily exercise, consistent mealtimes and sleep/wake times, and pre-sleep activities like meditation.
  • For Guests, Try to Recreate Your At-Home Sleep Experience. I recommend traveling with easy-to-pack items that you use at home, such as a white noise machine, your favorite pillowcase or your favorite pajamas. Thirty percent of guests actually do bring their own bedding when staying over, with Millennials most likely to do so (37%), and 12% want to but are worried about offending their host. However, most Americans (70%) reported they wouldn’t feel very insulted, if at all, so go ahead and pack your favorite sheets if it helps you get a better night’s rest!
  • For Hosts, Consider Upgrades to Help Guests Sleep Soundly. The holiday season is a great time to consider updating your guest beds and bedding. Want to provide a more supportive mattress?  Serta Perfect Sleeper is a great option for the guest room.
  • Watch What (and When) You Eat Before Bed. Many of us like to indulge during the holidays but a heavy meal just before bedtime can disrupt your sleep. For optimal sleep, try to have your last meal two to three hours before bedtime. It’s also important that you do not go to bed hungry. If you find yourself hungry before bed, snack on something easy to digest, like fruit or yogurt with granola – my favorite!

While it’s ideal to maintain a consistent sleep routine, we know those routines may be disrupted during the holiday season. My recommendation is to always try to resume your normal sleep routine as quickly as possible.

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About JD Velilla

JD Velilla is the Head of Sleep Experience at Serta Simmons Bedding (SSB), the leading sleep company with a portfolio of brands that includes Serta, Beautyrest, Tuft & Needle and Simmons. He is also a member of the Global Wellness Institute.

In his role, JD advocates and educates about the importance of sleep as part of an overall self care and wellness regimen. He connects the dots between the latest sleep science, product development and the habit changes required to achieve transformative rest.

A self-proclaimed sleep nerd, JD has transformed his bedroom into a dedicated recovery room and never uses an alarm clock. He wakes up every morning refreshed and ready to take on the day.

*Study surveyed 2,000 Americans (split evenly by generation) on disruptors most impacting sleep during the holidays.

 

From Sleeping Hot to Late Night Visits From Kids and Bed Hogging Pets, New Survey Reveals the Top Sleep Disruptors

By JD Velilla, Head of Sleep Experience at Serta Simmons Bedding

At Serta Simmons Bedding, our mission is built on helping people sleep better so they can live healthier lives. In fact, good sleep is so critical that the American Heart Association (AHA) recently updated its cardiovascular health checklist to include sleep quality as essential for optimal cardiovascular health. However, despite that essential nature of sleep, we know that many aren’t getting the amount of sleep they need.

We recently commissioned a survey with OnePoll* to further understand how people are sleeping right now as well as some of the most common sleep disruptors and discovered the following:

  • Many People Still Aren’t Getting Good Sleep – A fifth of respondents said it’s been more than one month since they’ve gotten a perfect night’s rest (21%), with 28% percent of people not getting a good night’s sleep in 1-2 weeks. The average person also reported waking up three times per night.
  • Poor Sleep Quality Spans Generations – For Millennials (ages 26-41), waking up at least three times per night is the norm. Baby Boomers (ages 58-76) are the most likely to report having missed out on a perfect night’s sleep in more than a month (33%). And, nearly three-fourths of Gen Z (ages 18-25) (74%) and the Silent Generation (ages 77-94) (73%) are most likely to toss and turn at night because they can’t find a comfortable sleep position.
  • Sleeping Hot Ranks Among the Top Sleep Disruptors – Most people wake up more often at night when they feel hot (76%). Interestingly, people residing in the Northeast are more likely to wake up more often when they feel hot (89%) than their neighbors in Southern states (61%). For those sleeping hot, 49% turn on the AC or a fan, 37% sleep without the covers, and 36% change their clothes to cool down.
  • No Rest for Weary Parents and Pet Owners – 40% of parents shared they are woken up more than twice a week by their child(ren) not being able to sleep – usually when their children need to use the bathroom (34%) or when their children have nightmares (31%). After waking up, nearly half of parents almost always give in and let their kids crawl into bed with them (49%). Meanwhile, 41% of pet owners, are woken up by their furry family members twice a week, thanks to their pet’s barks/meows or whimpers (36%), their need to go outside (31%) or when they take up too much space in the bed (30%).
  • Although Better Sleep May Be Just Around the Corner for Parents with School-Aged Children – Nearly half of parents surveyed said they get more sleep when their kids return to school (49%), and 50% said the quality of their sleep is better during this time, too.

While there are many sleep disruptors keeping us awake, there are also some ways to ensure you are a getting a better night of shut eye, including:

  • First and Foremost, Know (And Address) What is Interrupting Your Individual Sleep Routine. Partner or pet affecting your sleep by taking up too much of the bed? Choose the largest bed that can fit into your space, and ensure the mattress includes technology that addresses motion transfer (Beautyrest Black is a great option). Waking up in the middle of the night sweating? Light clothing, breathable linens and a mattress with cooling technology like Serta Arctic can help.
  • Watch What (and When) You Eat Before Bed – Bedtime can trigger cravings for many of us (nearly half (48%) of the individuals surveyed admitted they regularly eat before bed, and these respondents are likely to crave sweets (50%) such as cookies (42%) or salty snacks (32%) like chips (49%) or popcorn (45%). For optimal sleep, it is best to have a light dinner two to three hours before bedtime, so the digestive process doesn’t impact your ability to fall asleep. It is also important that you don’t go to bed hungry. If you find yourself hungry before bed, snack on something easy to digest, like fruit, or my favorite, yogurt with granola.
  • Making Your Bed Can Impact Your Sleep – Seventy-four percent of those surveyed said they sleep better crawling into a neatly made bed at night, with that number rising to 77% among Millennials (ages 26-41). I often talk about the importance of thinking about your bedroom as a recovery room and making your bed each day is a key part of that.

At Serta Simmons Bedding, we’re always seeking to understand what is hindering people’s sleep so that we can help address their evolving sleep needs – whether through the mattresses or through our complementary products and accessories designed to help create the ideal sleep experience.

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JD Velilla is the Head of Sleep Experience at Serta Simmons Bedding (SSB), the leading sleep company with a portfolio of brands that includes Serta, Beautyrest, Tuft & Needle and Simmons. He is also a member of the Global Wellness Institute.

In his role, JD advocates and educates about the importance of sleep as part of an overall self care and wellness regimen. He connects the dots between the latest sleep science, product development and the habit changes required to achieve transformative rest.

A self-proclaimed sleep nerd, JD has transformed his bedroom into a dedicated recovery room and never uses an alarm clock. He wakes up every morning refreshed and ready to take on the day.

*Study surveyed 2,000 Americans on disruptors most impacting sleep.

Serta Simmons Bedding Unveils Limited-Edition Sleep Collection with Nate Berkus

By Taylor Beckstead, Vice President of Beautyrest, Serta Simmons Bedding (SSB)

At Beautyrest, we strongly believe consumers should not have to choose between comfort and style. On the heels of the launch of our luxury Beautyrest Black® lineup, today we are unveiling our latest design-led sleep collaboration – the Beautyrest® by Nate Berkus Collection.

Celebrity interior designer Nate Berkus has transformed countless homes around the world through his approachable and elevated design philosophy. Today, he is extending his design vision to his new sleep collection which includes an assortment of mattresses, mattress protectors and down pillows, marking Nate’s first foray in these categories.

The new Beautyrest by Nate Berkus Collection features:

– Nate’s Signature Design – Nate is known for his timeless design style. He created an exclusive print for the Beautyrest sleep collection which is a fresh take on a classic herringbone pattern. The mattresses, which are available in varying levels of firmness, feature a white and gray design with black accents. Similarly, the waterproof mattress protector and down pillows lean into that same aesthetic in all white with black accents.

– Conscious Design – We are always looking for ways to incorporate materials that are better for the environment. Every item in the Beautyrest by Nate Berkus collection incorporates SEAQUAL™ Fabric technology, which upcycles recovered plastics from the ocean into a durable and luxurious fabric. For example, each queen mattress includes 50 plastic bottles recovered from the ocean.

– Elevated Performance and Technology – The Beautyrest by Nate Berkus mattresses also feature the latest innovations in support, comfort, and cooling that work together in harmony to offer a better night of sleep. For more information on the specific features and technology, visit Beautyrest.com.

As a busy designer and parent, Nate shares our company’s mission to help people sleep better so they can live healthier lives. We are excited to bring his design aesthetic to Beautyrest as our latest in a series of design-led launches and collaborations from the Serta Simmons Bedding portfolio of brands.

Serta Simmons Bedding Announces Plans for New Manufacturing Facility in Janesville, Wisconsin

New 500,000 square-foot facility, scheduled to open in 2023, to produce leading Serta® and Beautyrest® brands

Doraville, GA (April 12, 2022) – Serta Simmons Bedding, LLC (SSB), one of North America’s largest sleep companies, announced today plans to open a new 500,000 square-foot dual-branded manufacturing facility in Janesville, WI. The new facility will be home to both Serta® and Beautyrest® brands and will produce industry-leading lines such as Serta® Perfect Sleeper®, Serta® Arctic™, Beautyrest® Harmony® and Beautyrest Black®, among others.

“Our new Janesville manufacturing facility will become one of the largest dual-branded facilities in our network, enabling us to expand our capacity and continue to meet consumer demand for our trusted brands,” said Terry Litwiler, Vice President of Operations, Serta Simmons Bedding. “This new facility is a critical part of our broader effort to optimize our manufacturing footprint to ensure we are delivering for our retail partners and consumers, while creating an industry-leading work environment for our employees.”

Serta Simmons Bedding will consolidate its two existing facilities in Wisconsin, currently located in Janesville and Beloit, into the new state-of-the-art facility, scheduled to open in 2023.The plant will initially employ more than 300 employees. Over the next few years, SSB plans to add additional jobs in areas including general production and warehousing.

“I’m pleased Serta Simmons Bedding has chosen Janesville to expand their operations, which will retain its existing workforce and attract 100 more to the City,” said Mark Freitag, City Manager, Janesville. “We are happy to use one of the few economic development tools we have in the State of Wisconsin to support this development. I’m proud of our team and partners at Rock County for diligently coordinating efforts between Serta Simmons Bedding, the developer, Zilber, and the City.”

SSB has a rich manufacturing history in Wisconsin that goes back more than 150 years. Simmons Company was founded and first began assembling mattresses and foundations in Kenosha in the 1870s, and opened the current plant in Janesville in 1982, producing Beautyrest® mattresses. The current plant in Beloit has been producing Serta® mattresses since its opening in 1987. Over the years, both plants have continued to grow and have produced leading innovations like the recently launched Serta®Arctic™ line.

“We’re proud to remain one of the largest employers in Southern Wisconsin,” said Jim Fenton, Operations Leader, Serta Simmons Bedding. “We’re opening a new chapter in our history and I’m excited to see how our teams will continue to grow and thrive in the new community, while also continuing to deliver our innovative products that help people sleep better so they can live healthier lives.”

About Serta Simmons Bedding, LLC

Serta Simmons Bedding, LLC is one of the largest manufacturers, marketers, and suppliers of mattresses in North America. Based in Atlanta, SSB owns and manages two of the best-selling bedding brands in the mattress industry: Serta®, which has five other independent licensees, and Beautyrest®. The brands are distributed through national, hospitality, and regional and independent retail channels, as well as direct-to-consumer platforms, throughout the United States and Canada. SSB also owns the Simmons® and Tuft & Needle® mattress brands. For more information about SSB and its brands, visit www.sertasimmons.com.

Media Contact:

Danit Marquardt

Serta Simmons Bedding

dmarquardt@sertasimmons.com

 

Serta Simmons Bedding Announces New Executive Leadership Appointments

John Linker to Join SSB as Chief Financial Officer, Shoukat Ali Bhamani Named Chief Technology Officer

DORAVILLE, Ga., March 25, 2022 — Serta Simmons Bedding, LLC (SSB), one of North America’s largest sleep companies, announced today that John Linker will join the company as Chief Financial Officer and that Shoukat Ali Bhamani has joined SSB as Chief Technology Officer. Linker will oversee the finance organization, inclusive of accounting, operations and commercial finance, financial planning and analysis, internal audit, tax and treasury, as well as the procurement and strategy functions. Bhamani is responsible for all aspects of technology implementation and innovation, including internal technology systems as well as SSB’s direct-to-consumer platforms.

“John and Shoukat are world-class leaders who will bring immense subject matter expertise to the Serta Simmons Bedding team,” said Shelley Huff, Chief Executive Officer, Serta Simmons Bedding. “They will both play pivotal roles that will position the company for growth and drive forward our mission to help people sleep better so they can live healthier lives.”

Linker joins SSB with more than 25 years of financial and leadership experience, most recently serving as executive vice president and CFO at JELD-WEN Holding, Inc. (NYSE: JELD), one of the world’s largest door and window manufacturers. Prior to JELD-WEN, John held a variety of corporate development and finance leadership roles in the Aerospace Systems Division of United Technologies Corporation and its predecessor Goodrich Corporation.

“Serta Simmons Bedding has an unmatched portfolio of leading sleep brands, and I share SSB’s commitment to bringing innovative products to the market,” said Linker. “I look forward to partnering with Shelley, the leadership team and the broader finance organization to further build a strong and resilient finance function that will support accelerated growth and shareholder value creation.”

Bhamani comes to SSB from Schaeffler Group, a global manufacturer and distributor of automotive, industrial and aerospace products, where he spent more than 25 years in a variety of technology leadership roles. Most recently, he served as Schaeffler’s Chief Information and Digital Officer where he transformed a decentralized IT organization into a unified high-performing team, orchestrated a series of supply chain and business process improvements and successfully introduced digital transformation to the organization.

“I am passionate about using technology to help support business growth,” said Bhamani. “I am excited to join the executive leadership team and for the opportunity to work with the technology organization to leverage both internal systems and our external platforms to enhance the employee, retailer and consumer experience with SSB.”

Both Linker and Bhamani will report to Huff. Linker will join SSB on April 4, 2022 and Bhamani joined the organization in March.

About Serta Simmons Bedding, LLC

Serta Simmons Bedding, LLC is one of the largest manufacturers, marketers, and suppliers of mattresses in North America. Based in Atlanta, SSB owns and manages two of the best-selling bedding brands in the mattress industry: Serta®, which has five other independent licensees, and Beautyrest®. The brands are distributed through national, hospitality, and regional and independent retail channels, as well as direct-to-consumer platforms, throughout the United States and Canada. SSB also owns the Simmons® and Tuft & Needle® mattress brands. For more information about SSB and its brands, visit www.sertasimmons.com.

Media Contact:
Danit Marquardt
Serta Simmons Bedding
dmarquardt@sertasimmons.com

Serta Expands Perfect Sleeper Line with New 12-Inch Options

By Laura Brewick, Senior Vice President of Brand Marketing, Serta Simmons Bedding

At Serta, we are committed to providing the most comfortable sleep solutions, across price points and form factors. One of our most popular lines is the Perfect Sleeper collection and today, I am excited to announce the expansion of the line with two new Perfect Sleeper options.

We are introducing new 12-inch Mattress-in-a-Box models for consumers looking for the high-quality, pressure-relieving comfort of our Perfect Sleeper line, conveniently shipped to their door. The new products include:

  • The Perfect Sleeper Renewed Relief™ 12” – A hybrid mattress offering supportive coils and contouring pressure relief.
  • The Perfect Sleeper® Splendid Slumber™ 12” – An all-foam mattress providing durable support through our proprietary geometric cut-out HexCloud™ Gel Memory Foam and as well as cooling relief through our Cool Twist® Gel Foam.

Both models also feature our antimicrobial cover*, first launched in 2020, that helps keep the mattress free from odor-causing bacteria.

The mattresses, which are available on Serta.com and will be rolling out to retailers nationwide, round out our current Mattress-in-a-Box assortment that also includes 10-inch and 11-inch models. The new line is one of many ways we are expanding our assortment to provide a comprehensive set of options that offer our trademark comfort for all.

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*These products do not protect users against bacteria, viruses, germs, or other disease organisms.

 

Less Coffee? No Dessert? Serta Simmons Bedding Unveils The Things People Would Give Up for a Better Night’s Rest and More Insights on Americans’ Sleep Habits

By JD Velilla, Head of Sleep Experience at Serta Simmons Bedding

As a self-proclaimed “sleep nerd,” I geek out when it comes to talking to people about how to get a good night of sleep. Here at Serta Simmons Bedding, we are all about helping people sleep better so they can live healthier lives.

Timed to Sleep Awareness Month, we recently commissioned a study with OnePoll* to understand Americans’ sleep habits and discovered several interesting findings, including:

  • The Average Bedtime is 10:00 p.m. – That said, those who claim they have “excellent” sleep prefer to hit the hay a little earlier at 9:39 p.m. When looking at different generations, Millennials are the most likely to go to bed the earliest at 9:49 p.m., followed by Generation X and Baby Boomers.
  • People Aren’t Sleeping Well Right Now – Only two in five people rate their quality of sleep as “excellent” (41%). And less than a third of adults feel refreshed when waking up in the morning, even after getting the recommended amount of sleep (30%).
  • They Are Willing to Sacrifice to Get Better Sleep – 43% of respondents said they would give up coffee for better sleep, and 30% would sacrifice dessert.
  • Falling Asleep Can Be Tough – Two in three have trouble falling asleep thinking about everything they must do the next day. What likely keeps people up at night is being worried about their family (42%) or work (41%).

With so many challenges tied to achieving a good night’s rest, I’m often asked for tips on how to sleep better. Here are a few:

  • Stick to a Sleep Schedule – Our bodies crave consistency. Many people go to sleep and wake up at different times from day to day, but consistency can fundamentally improve sleep quality. To create an impactful sleep routine, I suggest starting with what time you need to wake up, then counting back 7.5 hours (or five 90-minute sleep cycles) from there to determine your ideal bedtime.
  • Know Your Chronotype – Night owls and early birds have different peak productivity times. Also, their respective biological rhythms impact their sleep/wake schedules. Ideally, you can plan your day based on chronotype to maximize productivity and get better rest.
  • Find Your Sleep Routine – Sleep routines can extend beyond simple bedtimes to encompass nightly habits that prepare our mind and body for sleep. To unwind for bed, our study found that most people take under half an hour to complete their nightly routine like brushing their teeth (45%), completing their skincare regimen (41%) and watching TV (38%). Sleep routines can also encompass anything that enables people to relax before bed, from dimming the lights or lighting a candle.
  • Make Your Bedroom a Recovery Room – Seven in 10 Americans said they need their nighttime environment to be a certain way to get their best sleep (71%), according to our study. For example, our study found that getting shuteye in a silent room (31%) with some light on (72%) contributes to “excellent” sleep.
  • When All Else Fails, Take A Nap – Even after we find the best sleep schedule, refine our sleep routine, and create the ideal sleep environment, we all may encounter restless nights from time to time. Our survey found that, while the average person wakes up twice a night, more than a quarter (29%) of those who have “bad” sleep find themselves wide awake at least five times a night. But there is still an easy way to catch up on rest. After a suboptimal night of sleep, 30 minutes of napping can be a short yet refreshing way to get through the next day.

As you can see, there are many factors that can negatively impact sleep, but having the right gear shouldn’t be one of them. At Serta Simmons Bedding, we offer a wide range of products across our brands – from an assortment of mattresses (Serta Arctic and the Beautyrest Harmony Lux lines are two of my favorites) to bedding and accessories – to provide consumers with everything they need for their personalized sleep journey.

And don’t forget: if you don’t have a great night of sleep, you always have another night ahead of you to try again.

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*Study surveyed 2,000 Americans on their sleep habits.