Sealy Unveils New Pressure Mapping Laboratory Takes Industry-Leading Role in Sleep Quality Research

TRINITY, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sealy Corporation (NYSE: ZZ), North America’s No. 1 mattress manufacturer, has once again proven its leadership position in cutting edge research, technology and sleep science by announcing the unveiling the Dr. Robert G. and Beverly Addison Center of Excellence pressure mapping laboratory.

“The Center of Excellence is a major step in R&D and allows us to connect the quality of a mattress to quality of sleep in a very definitive way”

Sealy inaugurated the Center of Excellence at its Trinity headquarters Friday, October 10 with several members of Sealy’s Orthopedic Advisory Board (OAB) on hand. The only facility of its kind in the bedding industry, the center is an innovative, state-of-the-art research laboratory that uses the latest technologies to identify uncomfortable pressure points that lead to tossing and turning.

“Pressure management is one of the focal points of Sealy’s product development process,” said Larry Rogers, Sealy CEO. “The Center of Excellence will provide crucial insight into developing cutting-edge sleep systems that help consumers maximize every minute of sleep.”

The Center of Excellence pressure-mapping laboratory is 836 square feet and contains four work stations. Each station is configured for a mattress and pressure mapping pads that identify and measure uncomfortable pressure points in the body that lead to tossing and turning at night. Additionally, the laboratory is equipped with 20 actigraphy devices that monitor movement and help facilitate the analysis of comfort during the night. It also houses research and data analysis areas as well a comprehensive overview of the Sealy OAB.

“The Center of Excellence is a major step in R&D and allows us to connect the quality of a mattress to quality of sleep in a very definitive way,” said Dr. Alan Letton, chief science officer, Sealy. “Our pressure-mapping technique lets us develop a new methodology that quantifies sleep quality, directly linking it to specific sleep surfaces. We will be able to use this proprietary research to further develop and enhance our innovative sleep systems.”

Center of Excellence, Add One

The Center of Excellence was dedicated to Dr. Robert G. and Beverly Addison. In recognition of his contribution to Sealy, Dr. Addison is an honorary member of the OAB. Dr. Addison drew national attention to the company in the 1950s by recognizing that heavy stress was placed on the lumbar region of the back during sleep. This discovery shifted the company’s product development efforts to create mattresses with back support.

As part of the OAB, Dr. Addison and other top orthopedic surgeons, researchers and clinicians from across the country provide perspectives and feedback on the nature of sleep and product development to better meet the evolving needs of consumers. The OAB played a significant role in the development of the Center of Excellence by providing expertise on how uncomfortable pressure points affect the body and sleep quality, and offering feedback on pressure-mapping methodology.

“The Center of Excellence will provide new opportunities to further the industry’s understanding of how uncomfortable pressure points lead to tossing and turning through extensive testing and research,” Rogers said. “It also will strengthen Sealy’s leadership position by allowing us to continue developing the most technologically advanced beds in the industry and providing a forum for Sealy to interact with leading medical researchers.”

About Sealy Corporation

Sealy is the largest bedding manufacturer in the world with sales of $1.7 billion in 2007. The Company manufactures and markets a broad range of mattresses and foundations under the Sealy®, Sealy Posturepedic®, Stearns & Foster®, and Bassett® brands. Sealy operates 26 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 2,900 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 Orthopedic Advisory Board

The Sealy Orthopedic Advisory Board (OAB), comprised of top orthopedic surgeons, researchers and clinicians from leading medical centers and universities, was formed in 2006 to offer an expert’s perspective on the relationship between sleep and the sleep surface. This resulted in new product designs and product development to better meet the evolving needs of consumers. Today, the OAB helps Sealy design better products that provide orthopedically correct support, pressure point relief and other medical relevant designs. The OAB reviews and recommends studies to further the company’s leadership position in the bedding industry, serving to fulfill Sealy’s corporate mission to help the world sleep better.

Forward-looking Statement

This release may contain various forward-looking statements and information that are based on Sealy's beliefs, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to Sealy. When used in this or other releases or communications to the public, words such as “anticipate,” “project,” “expect,” “plan,” “goal,” “forecast,” “intend,” “could,” “believe,” “may,” and similar expressions and statements regarding the plans and objectives of Sealy for future operations are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Although Sealy believes that such expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, Sealy cannot give assurances that such expectations will prove to be correct. Sealy has no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.