Mattress business in cozy corner

A pleasant bed equipped with mattress is a pathway for good night’s sleep after a day-long work, and making such a pulpy bed is the order of the day.

That which was once within the reach of the aristocrats is now common among choosy individuals.

With the changing economic condition of people, zest and test for leading a good life are growing while there are efforts to turn bed as well as bedroom into a paradise.

Consequently, the country’s mattress businesses are making the best use of the aesthetic sense of individuals, thus witnessing a robust growth over the past several years.

Many local industries are mushrooming across the country riding on the demand for mattresses. The home-grown businesses have also won the heart of global buyers and opened up a new door of export market.

Apart from residential usage, hospitals and hotels are arranging beds with mattress, thereby driving up the demand further.

According to the data of Bangladesh Mattress Manufacturers and Exporters Association, the current market size of mattress is about Tk 100 crore and is growing by 25 per cent annually.

More than 10 big local companies are active in the market including Akhter, EuroAsia, Apex, Bengal, Pran-RFL, Swan, Karmo and Expo Group.

A wide range of mattresses are manufactured by the companies including Medipedic Mattress, Natural Mattress, Sprint Mattress, Pocket Spring Mattress, Boonell Spring Mattress and Orthopedic Mattress.

The branded firms produce mattresses with most modern and sophisticated automatic machines imported from Taiwan, Italy and China.

The business insiders said 90 per cent of raw materials including felt and foam are locally made. The country needs to import 5 per cent to 10 per cent raw materials including fabric and spring.

On average, a branded mattress is priced at lowest Tk 7,000 and highest Tk 80,000.

Regional Sales Manager of Bengol Matress Faruk Ahamed Rakib said the demand for mattress is on the rise as individuals’ tastes are changing with the changing economic condition. People are seized by an aesthetic sense and modernism.

Nearly 2000 units of mattress are being sold in the country per month and the demand is up by 20 to 30 per cent annually.

“We have four grades of mattress including orthopedic mattress, medicated mattress, healthcare mattress and string mattress. Annually we sell 1200 to 1300 pieces of them,” narrated Rakib.

Subrata Kumar – head of corporate at EuroAsia having the largest share of the mattress market, said the demand for quality good is always up as people’s lifestyle is changing for the better.

“Besides, the tendency to embark on a tour has grown and people are keen to have comfortable bed in hotels which is also boosting the mattress sale,” he observed. A total of 7,000 to 10,000 units of branded mattress are sold per month in the country.

Cottage industry mushrooming

The country’s cottage industry is flourishing on the demand for mattress in both local and global market. Apart from the capital, the cottage industries have come into being in most districts.

According to Bangladesh Mattress Manufacturers and Exporters Association, more than 100 to 150 local companies are active in the market. Besides, they are making employment for thousands of people.

Akter Hossen Emon, owner of Emon Foam Industries at Badda in Dhaka, said he has been producing mattress since 2014. “Per month we can sell more than 150 mattresses. We are known for providing consumers with quality products at a cheaper rate,” he claimed.

E-commerce platform facilitates sale

A number of online sales channels are further boosting the market as customers are exploring e-commerce furnishing sites. The consumers are gradually shifting to online shopping in today’s tech- and knowledge-based society. Consequently, social media like Facebook and YouTube play a vital role in marketing the product, thus reaching the customers easily with the help of technology.

Md Sumon, a UAE returnee migrant, said he was looking for a good quality mattress.

“I visited several social media channels and chose a mattress on YouTube. I just paid money and they delivered it to my village at Chandpur,” he added.

“It was hassle-free and the product quality was also better.”

Masud Rana, showroom manager at Elephant Road of EuroAsia mattress, said they have eight showrooms and 4,000 dealers.

“We have free delivery in the capital and most of our products are sold online,” he stated.

Bangladeshi mattress in overseas market

Once Bangladesh used to import mattress, but the situation has changed. Now the country is sending mattress to more than 36 countries including the USA, the UK and India.

According to the data of Bangladesh Mattress Manufacturers and Exporters Association, the country exports mattress worth around $ 8 million annually.

Mattress imports have stopped as local branded companies came up with quality products.

Besides, the local brands supply quality products at cheaper rate which creates high demand for Bangladeshi mattress in the global market.

“Now we are making quality mattress with the help of highly skilled professionals which will help our export to rise in the days to come,” said KM Akhtaruzzaman, president of Bangladesh Mattress Manufacturers and Exporters Association.

Orthopedic mattress gains traction

Orthopedic mattress is gaining traction in the market as these offer great support and pressure relief to help reduce aches and pains. Orthopedic mattresses are commonly used by people who suffer from back problems.

Besides, an orthopedic mattress helps adopt correct posture during sleep and promotes healthier blood circulation in body.

Sabbir Ahamed Riad, showroom in-charge of Apex Foam and Sleep Time Mattress, said doctors refer to Orthopaedic mattress, and that is why its demand is rising. A significant portion of total sale accounts for Orthopaedic mattress.

Yet remain challenges

Apart from branded companies many non-branded companies have also entered the mattress market over the years cashing in on the demand.

The non-branded companies are manufacturing poor quality products and selling at much cheaper prices comparatively.

People are purchasing such products and being cheated. Sources said the branded and non-branded companies have equal market share which is somewhat puzzling.

Ashraf Hossain, a private firm employee, said last year he purchased a mattress at Tk 4,000. The mattress degraded just after using one year. Like Hossain many alleged that they were on the same page and felt cheated accordingly.

Acknowledging the case, the sector people said there is a huge market of non-branded mattress and people are cheated by purchasing the poor quality products.

Mohammd Muslim, a mattress businessman in Nilkhet area, said they sell both local and branded mattress, but local mattresses are more demandable in the market due to their reasonable prices.

A quality mattress costs at least Tk 7000, but one that is made up of cock-sheet sells at only Tk 3000, he said, adding that, “We know the less-priced one has no warrantee but still we sell it due to high demand.”