THOMASVILLE, N.C. – There’s a new adjustable bed base and motion upholstery supplier in the marketplace.
Mark Akerman, who retired from Klaussner Furniture’s Enso Sleep in early 2023 after 12 years running the division, has jumped back into the game and started a new sourcing company for adjustable bed bases and motion. FlexxMotion came to fruition in September, shortly after Klaussner abruptly shuttered operations in August.
Akerman, managing partner with FlexxMotion, said his phone was ringing non-stop with former Enso factories that had containers of product on the water and Klaussner retailers eager to have delivery of their products. While helping longtime industry partners navigate those chaotic times, Akerman and one of his now partners decided they could hang out their own shingle selling similar product to what they had been selling during their tenures with Klaussner.
Working with Nisco, a division of Healthcare Co. Ltd., FlexxMotion serves as a liaison between retailers and the factory in Thailand, Akerman said. Nisco makes adjustable bed bases and recently moved into the motion upholstery category.
“We’re helping dealers work directly with the factory,” Akerman said. “Now, we’re focused on helping accounts that want the advantage of a direct relationship with the factory but don’t have the ability to make the trips to establish those factory partnerships.”
FlexxMotion recently opened a warehouse in Piscataway, N.J., to hold adjustable bases, and it plans to open a second warehouse in the Phoenix area to establish a stocking program for retailers. The company plans to offer a container-only program for its full range motion upholstery at competitive pricing similar to price points Klaussner offered.
The core assortment for the adjustable base product line is designed to retail from $299 to $1,499 in queen. The adjustable bases range from basic head-up models to full-function wireless designs with head and foot articulation, underbed lighting, voice activation, massage and more.
“We’re covering the gamut,” Akerman said. “In working with dealers, we’ve been very focused on helping them compete at critical price points while making strong margins.”
To help grow the business, FlexxMotion has named industry veteran Paul Smith as vice president of OEM sales. Most recently, Smith was with Ergomotion and has more than 30 years of experience in the adjustable bed base business with companies including Leggett & Platt, Reverie, Orthomatic and Hickory Springs.
In addition to sales, Smith will work on product development and strategy formulation for the company.
“We are thrilled to have someone of Paul’s caliber join our team,” Akerman said. “With his extensive category knowledge and strong relationships throughout the industry, he will quickly have a positive impact at FlexxMotion.”
FlexxMotion will be showcasing its selection of products at the upcoming Las Vegas Market in showroom B-912.