Eclipse International Forms Joint Venture With U.K.-Based Millbrook Beds

Furniture World News Desk on 12/9/2020

Through a new joint venture formed with U.K.-based Millbrook Beds, Eclipse International will manufacture and distribute the high-end, premium English brand’s mattresses throughout the U.S. Under terms of the agreement, Millbrook will produce and market the Eastman House brand for distribution throughout the U.K. The new line marries perfectly with the company’s formula of delivering affordable luxury mattresses to its retail partners.

Founded in 1946, Croll family-owned Millbrook Beds is based in Southampton, England and is known for its impeccably designed mattresses crafted with premium natural materials like silk, pashmina, cashmere, angora and wool from sheep native to the Hampshire region known for its full, fluffy fleece.

“Not only does this joint venture give us the opportunity to bring some of the finest luxury mattresses into the U.S, we will also be growing our reach with Eastman House by adding distribution throughout the U.K.,” said Stuart Carlitz, president and chief executive officer of Eclipse International. “We look forward to introducing our customers to these exquisitely made, hand side-stitched mattresses containing all-natural, farm-to-dealer materials and to seeing the growth of Eastman House in the U.K. We have established a great partnership by working with Mark Croll and Ross Thurston at Millbrook to develop these mattresses. Our mission of affordable luxury now includes 100 percent natural, chemical-free designs that combine English and American technology for a true U.K. farm-to-mattress luxury for the U.S.”

The Millbrook beds compare to the super, ultra-premium luxury brands of the U.K. and the U.S., offer superb attention to detail with exacting standards and sell at a lower cost to dealers providing much greater margins. With the lower starting price points, the Millbrook beds give retailers easier entry into the luxury category.

As part of the agreement, the company will import two ultra-premium luxury Millbrook bed models from the U.K. factory in queen and king and will manufacture three models in the U.S. using luxury materials, including Hampshire wool, silk, cashmere and angora, imported from the U.K.

Handcrafted by master craftsmen, the double-sided Millbrook beds feature pocket sprung divan bases available with storage drawers. Mattresses are designed with 6,000 nested, pocketed coils, four-row, hand side-stitched borders and the signature Hampshire wool, which is exclusive to Millbrook Beds and Eclipse International.

Hampshire sheep are the iconic breed with white bodies and black ears and snouts raised in the Hampshire region of the U.K. Millbrook Beds are designed using the high quality wool, and every mattress features 40 tufts with the company’s signature, single tuft in black wool to pay homage to the coloration of the sheep.

Eastman House will offer this all-natural, hand side-stitched tufted line branded as Millbrook or as a private label option providing exclusivity to select retailers. The line will initially be rolled out from two Bedding Industries of America factories – one on each coast. Later next year, the super-premium luxury Millbrook brand will be available from all Eclipse and Eastman House factories with quick service and delivery. In the U.K., Millbrook will focus on the Eastman House classic line of coil-on-coil mattresses.

About Eclipse International: North Brunswick, New Jersey-based Eclipse International has been making mattresses since 1866. Known for its design innovation in creating advanced sleep products, the company has an extensive global licensing network that distributes mattresses under six brands – Eclipse, Eastman House, Ernest Hemingway, Embrace Pure Talalay, Natural Dreams Pure Talalay, Velika and BIA. A well-established leader in the bedding industry, Eclipse designs products crafted with high quality components, including latex, memory foam, gel and eco-friendly materials. The company holds a number of patents that deliver superb support throughout the product line. Today, the company has 77 licensees worldwide. For additional information, visit www.EclipseMattress.com.

About Millbrook: Founded in 1946, Croll family-owned Millbrook Beds is based in Southampton, England and is known for its impeccably designed mattresses crafted with premium natural materials like silk, pashmina, cashmere, angora and wool from sheep native to the Hampshire region known for its full, fluffy fleece. For more information, visit www.millbrook-beds.co.uk.