Mattress manufacturer Southerland Inc., with headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee, has launched an international licensing program.
Partners may choose to be licensees of any or all of the company’s seven brands – American Sleep, Evolution, Heritage, Scandinavian, Signature, Southerland and Thermobalance.
Bryan Smith, president and chief executive officer, said: “Like U.S. retailers, international companies are looking for brands that can deliver higher margins, so we’re offering internationally the expertise we’ve gained from making quality bedding for more than 125 years. American brands are very desirable in many international markets, especially in Asia, South America, Mexico and Canada.”
Jim Nation, Southerland’s executive vice president of national accounts and international licensing, is leading the effort, which was unveiled at the Winter Las Vegas Market Jan. 27-31.
“As the demand for American brands continues to grow, this is a tremendous opportunity for Southerland to leverage its domestic expertise throughout the world,” Nation said. “We offer an alternative to the many low-margin brands out there now.”
