Bed specialist Vi-Spring has strengthened its presence in North America by acquiring a 51% stake in E.S. Kluft, maker and distributor of Kluft and Aireloom branded luxury mattresses.
Both companies will continue trading under their own brands, as part of the Flex Group of Spain, and with their own products. By integrating the North American operations, the two brands will offer retailers and consumers a wide range of prestigious luxury beds. The new organisation will considerably boost Vi-Spring’s presence in North America, where it opened its first retailer three years ago, and is stocked in well-known stores such as ABC Carpet & Home, Vi-Spring on Beverly and Chicago Luxury Beds.
The British firm, founded in 1901, is a highly-regarded mattress producer, and is synonymous with the values of traditional craftsmanship and the finest natural materials. Each bed is made by hand in Vi-Spring’s Devon factory, and sells across mainland Europe, the Far East and North America. In the UK, Vi-Spring is sold through exclusive retailers, including Harrods, Selfridges and And So To Bed. It has won many product and trade awards, including the much coveted Queens Award for Enterprise.
Third generation mattress maker Earl Kluft founded E.S. Kluft, and in 2004 the company bought Aireloom. The broad range of luxury mattresses are produced in California and Pennsylvania and are sold through 350 selected retailers across the US and internationally.
“For many years I have admired the quality and craftsmanship of Vi-Spring and see this as an opportunity for both of us to group brands internationally. The transaction will enable us to have more products and resources in our portfolio for the North American market, and will facilitate greater international expansion”, says Earl.
Mike Meehan, MD of Vi-Spring, says: “The Kluft and Aireloom products offer artisan qualities such as hand tied coils and genuine hand side-stitching, and also feature some of the most advanced patented designs and finest quality materials, making them a perfect companion for Vi-Spring at the top end of the luxury bed market.
“This deal is part of Vi-Spring’s strategy to grow across the globe, targeting markets that have a high proportion of wealthy individuals looking for the best product that their money can buy.”
The deal has been arranged and financed by the Flex Group of Spain, sole owner of Vi-Spring. The Flex Group has an extended international presence and operates in different markets with either commercial or industrial operations. The group recently opened a new plant in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and expanded its production capacity in Chile. In Europe, the group is market leader in Portugal with Molaflex; and in premium segments worldwide, with Vi-Spring and And So To Bed, the UK premier luxury bed retailer.
