Category: SSB

ATLANTA – February 10, 2017 – Serta Simmons Bedding, LLC (“SSB”), the number one manufacturer and distributor of mattresses in the United States, today announced that it has launched an innovative, cooperative marketing strategy in partnership with its large independent retailer base, called the Advantage Marketing Program.

The Advantage Marketing Program (“AMP”) offers retailers the opportunity to partner with SSB in an aggressive advertising effort by leveraging SSB’s size and scale on a national level. AMP builds on significant investments that SSB is making in product development for its two best-selling brands, offering retailers more depth and breadth across all facets of their marketing efforts.

“In addition to making significant product portfolio investments in our market-leading Serta® and Beautyrest® brands, we are excited about engaging our participating retail partners in a new way to capture consumer attention in their specific markets, matching their advertising investments on a dollar-for-dollar basis,” said Michael Traub, Chief Executive Officer of SSB.

The campaign kicked off in January through a multi-million media buy funded by SSB to extend consumer awareness in lifestyle, business and general interest publications and local radio networks. To date, the AMP has generated more than 1.4 billion impressions for the Serta and Beautyrest brands.

“SSB is committed to helping our strong network of independent retailers grow, and this program gives us a way to further support their success,” said Traub. “We have seen a great response from our partners thus far and are proud to help them amplify their advertising efforts that connect with consumers and drive traffic into their stores.”

Retailers can sign up in specific locations or by store, which means that large retailers with multiple locations who join the program have the opportunity to significantly increase their awareness in target markets.

“It can be difficult for independent retailers to gauge whether ads are reaching target customers or if a creative message is effective,” said Traub. “Through this program, we are investing alongside our retailers, and we are also providing access to market research and promotional strategies that are typically reserved for companies making substantial national ad buys.”

AMP also extends the reach of SSB’s industry-leading Serta and Beautyrest brands. In addition to the AMP, Serta and Beautyrest will continue to actively promote their sub-brands and product lines throughout the year with national advertising campaigns featuring the iconic Counting Sheep for Serta and New England Patriots Quarterback Tom Brady for Beautyrest Black. Both brands will introduce new campaigns in 2017.

About Serta Simmons Bedding, LLC

Serta Simmons Bedding, LLC (“SSB”) owns and manages two of the largest bedding brands in the mattress industry – National Bedding Company L.L.C. (the largest licensee and majority shareholder of Serta, Inc.) and Simmons Bedding Company, LLC. SSB is based in Atlanta and operates 32 manufacturing plants in the United States, six in Canada and one in Puerto Rico. Its subsidiary, National Bedding Company L.L.C., is based in suburban Chicago and markets a broad range of products under the Serta® brand, including Perfect Sleeper®, iComfort®, Sertapedic®, Bellagio® at Home® and a portfolio of licensed products. In addition to National Bedding Company L.L.C., Serta, Inc. has five other independent licensees in the United States that manufacture and market Serta-branded products. SSB’s other subsidiary, Simmons Bedding Company, LLC, is based in Atlanta and markets a broad range of products including Beautyrest®, Beautyrest Black®, Beautyrest® Sleeptracker® and BeautySleep®. Both subsidiaries also serve as key suppliers of beds to many of the world’s leading hotel groups and resort properties.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical fact or relating to present facts or current conditions included in this press release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements give our current expectations and projections relating to our financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business. You can identify forward-looking statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. These statements may include words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “seek,” “plan,” “intend,” “believe,” “will,” “may,” “could,” “continue,” “likely,” “should,” and other words. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results projected, expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement made by SSB in this press release speaks only as of the date on which it is made. SSB undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

 

Company adds new Beautyrest Silver™ models to its portfolio, creates clear step-up sub-brand story for consumers

(ATLANTA – January 22, 2017) – The Beautyrest Brand, one of the industry’s leading mattress brands, is launching two new mattress collections at this week’s Las Vegas Furniture Market, creating clear “better, best, luxury” categories within the Beautyrest brand family, while addressing the needs of consumers looking for the ideal balance of comfort and value. The Beautyrest Brand is also planning the retail debut of its new Beautyrest® Sleeptracker® sleep monitoring system.

“At Beautyrest, we’re constantly evaluating how to improve sleep performance and offer consumers the best support, comfort and temperature management possible,” said Jim Gallman, Beautyrest Executive Vice President, Marketing. “Our newest mattress collections encompass the innovation, research and technology that we’ve poured into this launch. We are excited to lead the conversation about the future of sleep.”

BEAUTYREST SILVER SOLIDIFIES BRAND STEP-UP STORY

This January, Beautyrest is replacing its successful Beautyrest Recharge® line with the new Beautyrest Silver collection, creating an easy-to-understand step-up story for consumers. With Beautyrest Platinum™ and Beautyrest Black® rounding out the “best” and “luxury” categories of the Beautyrest step-up story, Beautyrest Silver includes 11 quilted models and five hybrid models, and price points for the line range from $699 to $1,999. All Beautyrest Silver models can be paired with the Triton Foundation and include a 10-year limited warranty.

“In developing the Beautyrest Silver collection, we conducted a significant amount of research into who would be buying the line and what appeals most to this type of customer,” said Laura Brewick, Beautyrest Senior Brand Director. “As a result, we’ve targeted this line toward discerning consumers who expect premium elements in their day-to-day lives; plus, we’ve incorporated a new aesthetic that pairs blue and gray plaid visuals with diamond-pattern accents – a look that will stand out on the retail floor. We’re confident that the research put into the Beautyrest Silver collection has positioned it for success.”

Offering higher profiles along with the best feels ever, the Beautyrest Silver quilted models feature 815 Density Beautyrest Pocketed Coil® Technology to help deliver conforming back support, as well as DualCool™ Technology Fiber, which offers two key benefits of temperature management and preventing the growth of odor-causing bacteria, mold and mildew in the fiber to help keep your mattress fresh.

With proven feels, all Beautyrest Silver Hybrid models pair 1,000 Density Beautyrest Pocketed Coil Technology with DualCool Technology Memory Foam for an exceptional sleep experience. The DualCool Technology Memory Foam integrates natural silver into the foam to help move heat away from the surface of the mattress so you stay cool and comfortable while your body conforms to the top layers of the bed. Each Beautyrest Silver Hybrid model includes additional comfort layers, such as AirCool Memory Foam, AirCool Gel Memory Foam, Dynamic Response™ Memory Foam and GelTouch Foam. While the types of layers in the models vary, each combination offers a distinctive feel based on the specific properties of each component.

BEAUTYSLEEP® OFFERS IDEAL COMFORT AND VALUE

The new Simmons BeautySleep models premiere at Las Vegas Market this January. The BeautySleep line offers a wide selection of mattresses for individuals who desire outstanding comfort as well as outstanding value. The BeautySleep line contains key features designed to enhance the sleep experience, including SurfaceCool™ Fiber, GelTouch Foam and 725 Density Wrapped Coils. All BeautySleep models are compatible with Simmons’ Triton-Lite Foundation and most include a 5-year limited warranty. Pricing for the line ranges from $299 to $699.

BEAUTYREST SLEEPTRACKER DEBUTS AT RETAIL IN Q1

The Beautyrest Brand is excited to debut its new Beautyrest Sleeptracker monitor at retail in the coming months. This breakthrough device is the bedding industry’s first stand-alone solution that monitors a broad range of factors affecting high-quality sleep for two individuals simultaneously. The solution provides consumers with an in-depth analysis of each user’s sleep ecosystem patterns and provides personalized recommendations and expert insights.

“As one of the most trusted and recognizable bedding brands nationwide, we are proud to embrace the smart home movement with technology that provides a deeper understanding of how we sleep,” said Kevin Fairchild, Beautyrest Senior Director, Strategic Innovation. “The Beautyrest Sleeptracker monitor allows consumers to optimize their sleep habits and make improvements that can have dramatic implications for their overall quality of life.”

“The Sleeptracker artificial intelligence (AI) engine represents a dramatic improvement over other sleep monitoring devices, and is the result of significant resources invested in research and development,” said Arthur Kinsolving, Chief Technology Officer of Fullpower Technologies, Inc., the technology partner of the Beautyrest Brand. “With the power of AI and machine learning, the Beautyrest Sleeptracker monitor will continue to stretch its lead and deliver unprecedented deep insights into consumers’ sleep patterns.”

The Beautyrest Sleeptracker monitor is compatible with all mattresses and foundations and will retail for $299. The Sleeptracker app is available for download on the App Store and Google Play.

For more information about the Beautyrest brand, visit www.beautyrest.com. To learn more about the BeautySleep brand, visit www.simmons.com/beautysleep.

SLEEPSELLS PROGRAM CONTINUES ADOPTION

The SleepSells program, an online destination that provides retail sales associates (RSAs) with key education and training elements, carries its growth into the coming year, with RSA registrations increasing by 48 percent over the course of 2016. SleepSells also saw a 127 percent increase in the number of pageviews compared to end-of-2015 figures, signaling a deeper engagement by site visitors. RSA engagement through comments and participation in polls and contests has continued to thrive, while downloads of the SIMulator™ app grew by 53 percent in 2016.

“The SleepSells program is proving to be an ongoing success with both retailers and RSAs,” said Michelle Montgomery, Beautyrest Vice President, Marketing Communications. “The platform serves as an extremely effective way to communicate with the sales floor while delivering dynamic content to RSAs that yields results.”

In 2017, SleepSells will be updated with a new design for enhanced functionality and exploration. The updates will include simplified registration, more robust profile capabilities, and improved site speed. These changes are being implemented with the goals of driving further recruitment, engagement and retainment.

About Serta Simmons Bedding, LLC
Serta Simmons Bedding, LLC (SSB) owns and manages two of the largest bedding brands in the mattress industry ¬ National Bedding Company L.L.C. (the largest licensee and majority shareholder of Serta, Inc.) and Simmons Bedding Company, LLC. SSB is based in Atlanta and operates 33 manufacturing plants in the United States, five in Canada and one in Puerto Rico. Its subsidiary, National Bedding Company L.L.C., is based in suburban Chicago and markets a broad range of products under the Serta® brand, including Perfect Sleeper®, iComfort®, iSeries®, Sertapedic® and a portfolio of licensed products. In addition to National Bedding Company L.L.C., Serta, Inc. has five other independent licensees in the United States and one in Canada that manufacture and market Serta-branded products. SSB’s other subsidiary, Simmons Bedding Company, LLC, is based in Atlanta and markets a broad range of products including Beautyrest®, Beautyrest Black® and BeautySleep®. Both companies also serve as key suppliers of beds to many of the world’s leading hotel groups and resort properties.

About Fullpower Technologies, Inc.
Fullpower offers B2B customers two AI-powered solutions as a PaaS: The Sleeptracker® and MotionX® platforms. Both are end-to-end, full-stack, designed for the PaaS business model worldwide. The Sleeptracker® platform is optimized for smart beds and digital sleep. The MotionX® platform is optimized for digital sports, connected objects and wearable. The Fullpower IP portfolio includes over 125 patents and covers end-to-end aspects of both the Sleeptracker® and the MotionX® platforms.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes forward-looking statements that reflect our current views about future events. The forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release and are expressed in good faith. However, these forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Simmons’s expectations, including, but not limited to, operational pressures, including our ability to launch new products on a timely basis, the success of our new products and costs related thereto; our product liability, intellectual property and other litigation claims; and strategic decisions, including potential acquisitions and personnel realignments. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, either to reflect new developments or for any other reason.

ATLANTA, September 26, 2016 – Serta Simmons Bedding, LLC  (“SSB”), the number one manufacturer and distributor of mattresses in the United States, announced today that it is exploring alternatives to refinance all of its existing first lien term loan and unsecured notes.   There can be no assurance that SSB will be able to obtain new credit facilities on the terms acceptable to the company.

UBS and Goldman Sachs are expected to be Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners on the transaction, and will likely be joined by additional Lead Arrangers and Bookrunners as the transaction comes to market.

ATLANTA, August 4, 2016 – Serta Simmons Bedding, LLC (SSB) today announced the promotion of Jim Gallman to Executive Vice President, Marketing for Simmons Bedding Company, LLC (Simmons), effective immediately. Gallman previously served as Senior Vice President, Brand Management and succeeds Jeff Willard, who resigned to pursue a leadership role in the entertainment and lifestyle management space. Gallman, who brings more than 20 years of marketing experience to the role, oversees all aspects of Simmons’ marketing and brand functions. Gallman joined Simmons in 2014.

“Jim has been instrumental in building Simmons’s world-class marketing team, unifying processes between marketing and new product development and driving Beautyrest’s successful hybrid and luxury positioning in the market,” stated Michael Traub, Chief Executive Officer of SSB. “Jim’s depth of experience, proven track record and leadership capabilities made him a natural choice, and I am proud that we are able to promote from within.”

In addition to his contributions to the Simmons brand, Gallman has spearheaded product and marketing transformations for several industry-leading consumer brands. Gallman joined Simmons from NCH Corporations, where he served as Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing. He was responsible for revitalizing the company’s retail products division and driving brand reinvention for the company’s largest retail brands, OUT! and Simple Solution, the top global leaders in pet waste management products. Prior to NCH, Gallman was Senior Vice President of Marketing at Hunter Fan Company, where he led innovative brand strategy and product development for the 125-year-old iconic brand. Additionally, he has held various positions at both Lexmark International and Spectrum Brands.

“I’m honored to lead our marketing team in this new position, as we continue to connect with our consumers through creative campaigns and impactful experiences with the brand,” said Gallman. “I look forward to executing the unified, strategic plan we have in place to support Simmons’ continued growth.”