Serta Simmons Bedding Accelerates Supply Chain Digital Transformation
Mattress company Serta Simmons is implementing a new suite of SaaS solutions aimed at optimizing manufacturing efficiency and supporting the company through their next stage of growth.
SSB – which includes the Serta, Beautyrest, Simmons, and Tuft & Needle brands in its portfolio – has partnered with Blue Yonder to help execute the project, and will add integrated demand and supply planning solutions to its existing advanced planning systems.
The brand prides itself on taking inspiration from leading car manufacturers and has fashioned a streamlined tech-driven production process that aims to keep employee safety, quality, and consistency at the center. A robust supply chain process is a vital part of this effort, the company says. “The implementation of Blue Yonder’s solution is the latest step in our effort to further build a high-performing and resilient supply chain,” said Bhavani Subramanian, chief supply chain officer at SSB.
Specifically, the company hopes the partnership will help them plan better for the acquisition of raw materials needed to build their mattresses. As the solutions are rolled out, they will enable SSB to leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning into providing prescriptive recommendations, improving forecast accuracy, and providing greater visibility into inventory management efforts.
In recent months, the brand has witnessed a series of leadership and organizational changes. In January this year, SSB laid out plans to strengthen its financial position by entering into a restructuring support agreement with financial stakeholders. As part of this plan to restructure debt and lay the foundation for future investments, the brand filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. "After the conclusion of this process, we will have a stronger financial foundation to drive profitable growth," the company said at the time. In March last year, the brand named John Linker as its new chief financial officer and automotive, industrial & aerospace industry veteran Shoukat Ali Bhamani as its new CTO.
The luxury mattress industry is currently experiencing relatively rapid growth – valued at $95.73 billion in 2022 and projected to grow at a 7.6% CAGR from 2023 to 2030 – with researchers pointing to the housing boom and increased consumer spending as drivers of this spike in sales.
As a result, mattress brands are leaning on tech to support their expansions. Another furniture and mattress brand, Raymour & Flanigan also plans to invest in their manufacturing and supply chain capabilities this year, building out its digital warehouse capabilities and implementing more sophisticated software systems to improve forecasting accuracy and reduce reliance on manual processes.
