Sealy celebrates 130 years

Fifteen years later, Haynes sold his patents to a Texas company that retained the Sealy brand. Soon after, ad exec Earl Edwards penned the slogan "Sleeping on a Sealy is like sleeping on a cloud," and with that, the mattresses were a national phenomenon. By 1920, the company had 23 licensed plants in many regions.

In 1950, it introduced its first Posturepedic brand mattress, the only mattress in the industry that focused on the importance of correct back support, designed in co-operation with orthopaedic surgeons.

Sealy South Africa produced its first mattress at its factory in Johannesburg in 1967.

The 1970s brought major product development and refinements and the bedding became high-tech, with programmed coils for increased support. At the same time, the box springs became known as foundations, due to the development of the torsion bar module base.

The end of the 1980's saw the introduction of the industry's newest innerspring innovation, the PostureTech Coil, now used in most of its mattresses. It is highlighted by a patented sensory arm feature that senses and cushions movement, then responds with increasing support. Its latest innovation is the introduction if the new 'No toss & Turn' zoned range.

Today, Sealy Inc is one of the largest bedding manufacturers in North America and has the largest brand market share in North America. In South Africa, it is produced at facilities in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town.