Therapedic Times Newsletter - Vol. 51 - Fall 2018

TIMES Vol. 51 / Fall 2018 Edition / www.therapedic.com

THERAPEDIC CURRICULUM SPOTLIGHTS MATTRESS INDUSTRY CHANGES PRINCETON, NJ

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n this Ivy League city, Therapedic hosted a higher-education curriculum with a concentration on mattresses.

The Top 10 bedding brand, based here, hosted its licensees from around the world for sessions that examined key changes in bedding production, marketing and channels of distribution.

Speakers from inside and outside the industry provided updates on the latest trends in the marketplace.

“Rolling with the Trends” was the topic of Therapedic CEO Gerry Borreggine’s presentation, one in which he unveiled the details of a new roll pack bedding program that Therapedic will launch at the Las Vegas Market in January.

Paul Block, Global Systems Group

Paul Block, an executive with Leggett & Platt’s Global Systems Group, reviewed details of two roll-pack machines offered by his group that are putting bedding producers around the world in the fast-growing boxed bedding category.

Gene Marks, a columnist with the Washington Post and Forbes, outlined key trends in healthcare, taxes, customer resource management, human relations and security, giving his listeners practical tips on how to benefit from changes in the marketplace.

Marie Clarke and Mary Helen Rogers, vice presidents with the International Sleep Products Assn., talked about state and federal regulation issues and consumer mattress-buying trends, respectively, in their presentations.

Therapedic executives Susan Mathes, Lisa Orem and Eilyn Aguilar reviewed Therapedic branding, graphic and marketing initiatives, while Kim Grubb and Brandon Dunn of Wright Global Graphics reviewed their new “storefront” program.

Business consultant Meridith Elliott Powell shared “Strategies to Succeed No Matter What This Economy Does,” focusing on the importance of providing consistent customer experiences.

The day-long session wrapped up with a team-building and charity event in which the attendees roamed the Marriott Princeton on a scavenger hunt, picking up items for gift packs for military families in the area.

By David Perry, reprinted with permission, Furniture/Today

BORREGGINE SEES LEADERSHIP LESSONS IN WASHINGTON’S VICTORY AT PRINCETON PRINCETON, NJ

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hen Top 10 bedding producer Therapedic held its annual meeting here the other day, the lessons of a fateful battle echoed across the centuries.

Therapedic licensees from around the world and around the country met at the Princeton Marriott, not far from the hallowed grounds where General George Washington led his outnumbered troops into battle on the frosty morning of Jan. 3, 1777.

The Battle of Princeton gave Washington a second surprising victory in his New Jersey campaign, and it gave his troops a badly needed boost of optimism that sparked re-enlistments.

More important, it gave the Americans a belief that they could beat the mighty British Army.

earlier. He won by working with his officers to develop a sound plan of attack, which he executed with his superb generalship.

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The big brands are powerful, but move slowly, prisoners of their bureaucracy and their sheer size.

They believe they have the luxury of dictating the terms of the battle.”

—Gerry Borreggine

Therapedic is winning bedding battles these days by positioning itself as the No. 1 alternative to the big brands, a nimble competitor ready to say “yes” to its customers when other producers say “no,” Borreggine says.

Therapedic’s general, CEO Gerry Borreggine, sees some important parallels between the battle that raged here centuries ago and the modern-day battle that Therapedic has joined, one in which it, like Washington’s army, finds itself outnumbered.

The bigger bedding brands have more soldiers and more artillery and bigger advertising budgets, Borreggine allows.

But their very size—and the attitudes that those brands bring to the market— bring some disadvantages, too, in his view.

In his talk at the Therapedic meeting, Borreggine said Therapedic is well positioned in today’s hyper-competitive bedding landscape.

The big brands are powerful, but move slowly, prisoners of their bureaucracy and their sheer size, he says. They believe they have the luxury of dictating the terms of the battle.

Washington Rallying the Americans at the Battle of Princeton, oil painting by William Ranney.

But that’s no more true today than it was back in 1777, when the British war machine didn’t respect the skills or the fighting spirit of the Americans, Borreggine says.

Washington won at Princeton by refusing to rest on his laurels after a stunning victory over the Hessians at Trenton a few days

A student of history, and of Washington (he has a mounted figure of Washington on his desk at home), Therapedic’s general and his troops are ready for battle.

By David Perry, reprinted with permission, Furniture/Today

Take two pianos, one conga line and twenty limbo dancers, then add fifty party masks and a cow bell‌

What do you get?

A Therapedic Gathering Of course!

THERAPEDIC SPREADS THE LOVE AND SUPPORT AT THIS YEAR’S ANNUAL MEETING PRINCETON, NJ

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ttendees at the 2018 Therapedic Annual Meeting took part in two events to support others in ways beyond a good night’s sleep. In welcome bags provided to each guest upon check-in, a blue Team Harry bracelet was found with a note: “You’ll notice that there is a blue Team Harry wristband in the bag.

to Therapedic. Although Anne was understandably absent from the meeting this year, each attendee wore the bracelet to the Wednesday night dinner and took a group photo, shared with Anne and Harry and on social media, in support of and encouragement for Harry.

But the supportive character of Therapedic International did not stop there. As a fun team building event to end the meeting, and in line with the American Glory product launch, attendees took part in a scavenger hunt, the results of which culminated in the creation of military snack bags to benefit the 111th Attack Wing based in Horsham, PA— one of three air wings of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard. Their history began with the establishment of the 103rd Observation Squadron, in June 1924. The 111th ATKW serves as a control center for the MQ-9 remotelypiloted aircraft and provides engineering and electronics capabilities through specialized units. The wing also hosts several tenant organizations at the base including units of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserve, among others.

Team Harry wristlets on full display at Therapedic’s kickoff dinner.

For more than 90 years, generations of 111th guardsmen and women have shown a deep commitment to their nation.

Between September 11, 2001 and September 11, 2008, alone, this unit deployed five times to fight the Global War on Terror. They embody the Air Force core values of integrity, service and excellence!

Anne Pillow’s husband, Harry, is having some health issues.

In support of Harry, and Anne, please wear your Team Harry wristband to Wednesday night’s event.” Anne Pillow, of BekaertDeslee, is both an industry colleague and friend

Approximately 100 military snack bags were created, consisting of items requested by the unit—cookies, Crystal Light packets, Slim Jims, gum, tissue packs, pretzels, peanuts, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and hand sanitizer.

Therapedic team members and vendor partners show off items gathered to support local military families.

2019 ANNUAL MEETING DATE & VENUE UPDATE

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n light of the success experienced with the venue and location of the 2018 meeting last week, and learning that several licensees took advantage of spending the weekend in New York City and/or Philadelphia, we have decided to alter our original plan for 2019. This decision will also be beneficial to a couple of licensees who expressed concern about holding the 2019 meeting over Halloween. Additionally, this date pattern will allow us to utilize the annual meeting for some concrete product planning for 2020.

With all this in mind, please adjust your calendars with the following Save the Date information:

2019 Annual Meeting | September 18–20 Princeton Marriott at Forrestal, Princeton, NJ