Sealy Middle East

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TIME FOR A NEW MATTRESS

HIGH POINT, NC, 1999

You can tell when it's time for a new pair of running shoes or a new car. But how do you know when to replace your mattress?

"The comfort life of a mattress has usually expired long before people realize it. You should replace your mattress every eight to ten years to ensure that you are getting proper body support," says David McIlquham, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Sealy, which sold more than 5 million mattresses and foundations last year.

"There have been so many technological advances over the last decade, that older mattresses have become obsolete. Consumers should take advantage today's better comfort characteristics, such as improved edge support, advances upholstery materials and varying comfort levels," he continues.

Mattresses are the most used piece of furniture in the house. "Because a mattress is covered by sheets, people may not feel the need replace it as often as other items in the home," says Gale Steves, editor-in-chief of Home magazine.

Here's when it might be time to buy a new mattress, according to Sealy, Inc.:

Periodically inspect the mattress while changing your sheets. Can you see the imprint of your body in it? Is the cover worn, frayed or soiled? If the surface appears uneven, bunched up or sags in places, you should replace the mattress and boxspring.
Concentrate on the feel of the mattress when you first lie down at night. Do you feel any coils or bumps?
Listen to your mattress -- do you hear creaks when you or your partner roll over?

Introduced in the Sealy Posturepedic Crown Jewel® line, DSS provides two types of support: deep down firm support plus cradling, cushioning support. This DSS technology features Sealy's PostureTech coil with a unique independent extension that micro-adjusts to your body. As today's mattresses grow thicker with padding, Sealy's MicroTek low-profile foundation -- 4 inches versus the standard 7 1/2 -- offsets added height. Thanks to an advanced composite material used for strength, this is Sealy's most durable foundation ever.

The new Sealy Posturepedic Golden Anniversary Collection consists of five new beds, featuring Sealy's patented PostureTech coil and PostureSteel or SteelSpan II foundations. The five sets cover a range of retail price points ad comfort levels.

A selection of celebratory support materials will be available for dealers, including point-of-sale banners and on bed decorations.

Sealy is the largest manufacturer of bedding in North America, serving more than 7,000 retail outlets from 25 plants in 18 states as well as in Canada and Mexico. As of 1999, there are a total of 10 international licensees operating in Australia, Israel, Jamaica, Dominican Republic Saudi Arabia, Japan, New Zealand, Thailand, South Africa and the United Kingdom. Joint ventures are operating in India and Korea. Test markets are being conducted by Sealy in Spain and Brazil. Direct exports of Sealy products are made to various other markets throughout the world.

Sealy produces and sells a full range of mattresses under the Sealy, Sealy Posturepedic and Stearns & Foster brand names, as well as licensed products, including: crib mattresses by Kolcraft Enterprises; pillows, mattress pads and comforters by Pacific Coast Feather Co.; futons by Dorel Industries; and upholstered furniture by Klaussner and Sealy of Maryland.

The Sealy Posturepedic Golden Anniversary Collection can be seen during the High Point market at the company's showroom in its new corporate headquarters in Trinity, NC. Shuttle buses will run from downtown High Point to the new facility during market.