Leading mattress manufacturer Comfort World eyes expansion

Following is an interview with Comfort World International Chairman Naushad Mohideen. The company is the market leader in mattress manufacturing and retail in Sri Lanka. 

What first gave you the idea of entering the mattress business? 
I was in Japan engaged with a research and innovation company when I got the idea of producing an infection-free mattress. After many years of research and perfection we produced the world’s first MRSA-certified infection control mattress. Being the patent holder, armed with fresh knowledge, I returned to Sri Lanka in 1997 and started manufacturing and exporting these mattresses to Japan. They were mainly positioned for the healthcare market such as hospitals, senior citizens homes and specifically for immobile patients suffering from bedsores and secondary infections. My first showroom under the name of ‘Comfort Bedding’ was at 
Barnes Place.

You are known as ‘Mattress Naushad – any reason for that?
I am so associated now with the production of quality mattresses that my name is now synonymous with mattresses. I uniquely specialize in sleep surface development especially in the areas of spring, foam and air technology, pressure ulcer prevention (bedsores) and infection control. We were the first to bring down an internationally reputed brand to Sri Lanka – Spring Air from the USA, which was the fourth largest selling brand worldwide. The essential value of this partnership was obtaining the manufacturing license which brought significant know-how and knowledge transfer to Sri Lanka. We excelled in product development, quality assurance and reliability and secured the top names in the global industry, namely Serta (positioned world’s No 1) and Therapedic (positioned world’s No 1 alternative), both of which we manufacture under licence. We have been the catalysts in enhancing the overall Sri Lankan mattress 
manufacturing standards.

Is Comfort World the leading supplier of mattresses in Sri Lanka?
Yes. We have been in the industry for the last 14 years and we are known for the superior quality of our mattresses and our after 
sales service.

Today an increasing number of people have developed back and orthopaedic problems. Does Comfort World provide a solution?
Yes. Since inception most of our sales have been on recommendation by satisfied customers. We manufacture a range of mattresses for all types of orthopaedic and back problems. This is our core business. We also tailor make mattresses according to the specific requirements of our customers. We have ergonomic and body mapping technologies, which help us to identify the correct mattress for a specific problem and we are now known 
for that. 

What are the types of mattresses you manufacture for sleeping disorders?
This is termed Sleep Science. We provide consultancy and customization to educate those suffering from sleep disorders with the use of advanced pressure imaging technology. This helps with mattress solutions that are tailor made to the individual with additional care on correct pillow selection and overall sleep 
posture correction. 

Have any of your staff been trained overseas?
Yes in China, Dubai and India at both Spring Air manufacturing plants as well as factories of other globally recognized brands. 

Do you foresee the mattress market becoming more competitive in the future? 
Definitely. With the increasing number of developments taking place around the country other brands are also entering the market. However, we are confident of maintaining our market leader position with our portfolio of reputed brands: Spring Air, Serta and Therapedic.  What’s more; we are now the proud manufacturers of the world’s No. 1 brand, Serta. 

Do you export your mattresses and if so, what are your main markets?
We currently export to the Maldives, Seychelles, Dubai and Japan and we intend exporting to more countries in the near future. 

What are your future plans, vis-à-vis expansion?
It is our goal to have a total number of 10 showrooms islandwide including in the north and east.