After several years of discussions, the timing was right for United Mattress Machinery to join forces with Mert Makina to create one of the world’s largest mattress machinery and automation production systems, according to company officials.
“We will now be the top supplier and most comprehensive supplier of mattress production equipment when you combine United’s sewing expertise with Mert’s automation and packaging machinery/glue systems expertise,” said Michael Porter Jr., vice president of sales for United Mattress Machinery.
In November, the Delray Beach, Florida-based company and Mert Makina, the Kayseri, Turkey-based manufacturer, announced the merger. Going forward, the company will be known as United Mert Makina.
Production of United Mattress Machinery’s sewing machinery, such as flange and binding machines, will continue in Delray Beach and at its overseas facilities. Production of Mert Makina’s automation systems for hot melt glue, roll packaging, conveyor systems and quilters will remain in Kayseri, Turkey.
Company officials completed the deal after a week of negotiations during the first of November at United Mattress Machinery’s headquarters in Delray Beach. According to its founder, Michael Porter Sr., the two family-owned businesses share a “longstanding, positive relationship.”
The merger “makes all the sense in the world,” he said, combining Mert Makina’s experience in the Middle East, Russia and Europe with United Mattress Machinery’s experience in the United States and South America.
Mert Makina officials agreed.
“We are very strong in some machinery, and United Mattress Machinery is very strong on the sewing side. We will exchange our experience to make good things in the mattress industry in the future,” said Ibrahim Ethem Yıldırım, sales and marketing director for Mert Makina, owned by the Demirok and Atagan families.
United Mert Makina will make its tradeshow debut at ISPA EXPO, the world’s largest tradeshow exclusively for the sleep products industry, in Columbus, Ohio, March 12-14, 2024.
“Mattress producers are always looking for an OEM that’s going to offer great machinery, great quality equipment, with great service and great prices. And no one can really offer all three,” said Sam Porter, vice president of operations for United Mattress Machinery. “We want to pride ourselves on our service team, our technicians, our installation teams and our on-time deliveries. We want to be the best in the world for that.”
