Speciality Sleep Association Launches "Green Initiative"

The Specialty Sleep Association announced that a blue-ribbon group of bedding industry manufacturers and suppliers has been assembled by the Specialty Sleep Association (SSA) to serve as the Initial Governing Board of the mattress/bedding industry “Green Initiative,” according Dale T. Read, president of the SSA.
 
“This group of nine top industry executives from prominent bedding companies will appoint and direct the recruitment of the Working Committee to carry out the Green Initiative,” said Read.  “Our goal is to bring on board at least 40 to 50 top mattress industry manufacturers and suppliers to serve as the real working committee to create these definitions, terms and standards.”
 
At the first SSA Green Initiative Conference held in May 2009 in Florida, the group determined that the industry needs a common set of definitions, terms and standards and processes to reduce consumer confusion about the level of environmental impact of specific bedding products. 
 
The new SSA Green Initiative Board of Governors includes:

• Ralph Rossdeutscher, president and CEO, Natura World
• Jeff Scorziell, president, Anatomic Global
• Martin Rawls-Meeham, manager, Reverie
• Anne Kozel, specialty sleep brand director, Simmons
• Bart DeHaerne, president, Deslee Textiles, USA
• Jim Wall, general manager, I Care Sleep Product
• Mark Larusso, vice president, Jeffco Fibres
• Gerry Borreggine, president and CEO, Therapedic
• Kevin Stein, vice president marketing/R&D, Latex International
• Dale Read, ex-official member, president, Specialty Sleep Association
   
  Now that the SSA Green Initiative Board of Governors has been finalized, the group’s next task will be to appoint and direct the recruitment of a working committee of bedding industry manufacturers and suppliers and to finalize consultants and other outside sources needed to carry out the mission of the Green Initiative --- a process designed to identify, define and standardize how mattress manufacturers and retailers label “green” and natural sleep products.
   
  Founded in 1995, the Specialty Sleep Association (SSA) is a national not-for-profit organization created to facilitate the growth and positive awareness of the specialty sleep category. SSA membership is comprised of more than 100 manufacturers and retailers ranging from small, family-owned businesses to large corporations.
   
  Companies interested in learning more about the SSA Green Initiative should contact SSA Executive Director Tambra Jones, tambra@sleepinformation.org.  For more information, visit www.sleepinformation.org.