ESCANABA --
It's the only mattress manufacturer in the U.P., and it's located in Escanaba. Clare Bedding started in 1936. It moved from downstate Michigan to the U.P. in the early 1970s.
The business has evolved right along with the technology of mattress-making.
Between 400 to 600 beds are made everyday at Clare Bedding. They sell to retailers around the U.P. and ship to five states in the Midwest.
Who's their target audience?
“Well, our primary demographic is women 25 to 54,” explains Donald Balsavich, President of Clare Bedding. “They are the ones who make the final decision in purchasing a mattress."
They have mattresses with bamboo fibers and even cool gel. It's a memory foam that's infused with gel.
Clare Bedding makes 175 different models.
“We ship products thousands of miles away, and we compete with the entire bedding industry,” says David Peck, Plant Manager. “We create a product that is affordable for most people.''
As for prices, they have twin beds that sell for $159, and their king sets can cost up to $10,000.
To keep up with the pace of mattress-making, they utilize a computerized quilter for picking patterns. It's one of the newer pieces of equipment in the industry.
Officials say it takes about 1.3 to 1.4 man-hours to make a mattress.
Business is expanding. Last year the company manufactured 65,000 mattresses and box springs. This year they expect to manufacture 75,000.
One unique aspect of the company is their mission to recycle. Officials say that in the course of a year, they will only generate about 100 yards of scrap that will end up in a landfill. The business also recycles all of their lumber, wood, and quilt scrap made of foam and fabric.
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