Simmons: Sealy is following the leader

Atlanta— Simmons Chairman Charlie Eitel, whose company launched the single-sided mattress category in 2000, said Sealy's decision to convert its Posturepedic line to a single-sided design validates Simmons' product leadership.

He also said Simmons has used its one-sided beds to

"It doesn't surprise me Sealy is coming up with a one-sided bed. We've been the industry innovator for years. It just demonstrates that we know what we are doing and people follow us," Eitel said.

"However, I don't think it is about a one-sided bed and it never has been for Simmons; it's always been about better sleep. The question is better sleep. There are plenty of one-sided beds out there.

"It is interesting that Sealy amassed a major negative campaign against Simmons and one-sided beds," he added. "They have now taken all that negative stuff off of their Web site and have done a 360-degree turn and gone one-sided. That doesn't convince me they are making products that deliver better sleep. It just convinces me they are following the leader."