Simmons has completed a collaboration framework through a three-way memorandum of understanding (MOU) with POSCO and KISWIRE — the first of its kind in the bedding industry. Beyond simply receiving finished materials, the partnership is being viewed as a potential game-changer for the premium mattress market, as the three companies jointly research technology from the materials development stage and have built an independent supply chain.
On the 20th, Simmons held a media tour at “Simmons Factories,” South Korea’s largest bed production facility located in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province, where it unveiled the specifics of the three-way partnership. At the event, Lee Jong-sung, Vice President of Simmons’ Production & Logistics Strategy Division, said, “This vast collaborative network, combining the expertise of No. 1 companies in each field — from materials development to precision processing and sleep engineering — represents Simmons’ unrivaled competitive edge and the cornerstone of sustainable future competitiveness.”
The core of this partnership lies in dismantling the traditional vertical supply structure. Moving beyond the conventional linear flow from materials suppliers to processors to finished goods manufacturers, the three companies have created a system where they participate together from the technology development and research stages. Simmons signed the MOU with POSCO and KISWIRE in January of this year for joint development of core materials and supply chain establishment.
Specifically, Simmons developed a vanadium-based specialty alloy spring wire optimized for mattresses through joint research with POSCO. Vanadium is a key alloying element used in specialty alloys to enhance strength and durability. This wire undergoes KISWIRE’s specialty wire processing technology for precision manufacturing before being supplied to Simmons. Simmons plans to integrate its accumulated sleep expertise to produce differentiated premium mattresses that maintain stable support and durability over extended use.
The first outcome of this collaboration is the “Vanadium Pocket Spring.” Simmons has been applying the vanadium-based specialty alloy spring wire, jointly researched with POSCO, to its products since 2024. Vice President Lee explained, “POSCO, representing South Korea’s steel industry, and Simmons, leading the bedding industry, have jointly developed the most optimized spring wire for mattresses, and KISWIRE — which possesses world-class specialty wire processing technology — supplies it. By adding Simmons’ proprietary sleep engineering expertise, we will complete a differentiated mattress.”
Simmons also introduced “Simmons Standard 5” to clarify premium standards. The intent is to provide consumers with clear benchmarks in a mattress market where premium criteria remain ambiguous. Simmons Standard 5 consists of the “Vanadium Pocket Spring” leading new standards, “conscientious quality control” as the key to maintaining high quality, a “clean production environment” ensuring safety for both workers and consumers, an “in-house direct delivery system” driving delivery innovation, and “customer care” that continues after purchase and installation.
Safety certifications have also been significantly expanded. Simmons added the “UL Greenguard” Gold certification, which evaluates indoor air quality safety, and the “DermaTest” Excellent certification, which verifies skin irritation and safety, to its existing “National Mattress 3 Safety Keywords” — comprising radon and thoron safety product certification, Ministry of Environment eco-label certification, and flame-retardant mattress production — expanding it to the “National Mattress 5 Safety Keywords.” The company stated that Simmons is the only South Korean bedding manufacturer implementing all of these keywords.
At the Factories site, the principle of prioritizing quality over production volume was emphasized. The facility, spanning approximately 59,647 square meters and opened in 2017, has the capacity to produce more than 1,000 mattresses per day, but actual production is adjusted to 600–700 units to prioritize quality. Delivery is also viewed as an extension of manufacturing, with a system in place since 2023 to deliver within 72 hours of purchase on weekdays.
Vice President Lee emphasized, “Premium is only truly achieved when every process — from material selection and development to product R&D, production and quality control, delivery, and subsequent customer care — is connected by a single rigorous and consistent standard.”