Firm deal Frank Hood, Kingsdown president and chief executive officer (left), shakes hands with Chris Loo, group managing director of Far East Foam.
Mebane, N.C.-based Kingsdown has inked a licensing deal with mattress manufacturer and retailer Far East Foam Industries. The company, which has headquarters in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, will manufacture and sell the Kingsdown Passions, Select and Tradition collections into the Malaysian and Singapore markets.
“We are excited for our partnership with Far East Foam because we’re confident that this is the right licensee to represent Kingsdown,” said Frank Hood, Kingsdown president and chief executive officer. “They’ve been a strong player in the sleep space for more than 40 years and truly understand the research, science and quality construction behind our products and how it sets us apart from the competition. With the accelerated growth of the middle class in Southeast Asia, as well as the increasing importance being placed on health, wellness and quality sleep, we know it’s the right time to build a strong presence there.”
Far East Foam will begin manufacturing Kingsdown beds in mid-2014. Prior to that, beds will be manufactured by Kingsdown in the United States and shipped to Asia. Plans include the opening of two Kingsdown-branded stores in Malaysia and Singapore and the sale of Kingsdown beds at Far East Foam’s 10 retail locations. Far East Foam also will promote the Kingsdown brand at area furniture shows.
