Spring Air International has signed Biscayne Bedding of Hialeah, Florida, as its licensee for the state. The transaction represents a “closing of the circle” for Biscayne’s President and CEO Jan Wettergren who was senior vice president of operations for Spring Air when it was owned by private equity from 2006 to 2011.
Biscayne Bedding is the fastest-growing manufacturer in Florida, serving retailers, interior designers, hospitality, marine, cruise and hospitals. The family-owned business was founded in 1949.
Wettergren shares responsibilities for day-to-day operations with his wife, Silke, and son, Mattias, who heads operations. Jim Dilling, vice president of sales, has led sales at the company since 2011 and prior to that served 20 years with Spring Air out of Tampa and has played an important role in the company’s success.
“For me to start producing Spring Air is a day of pride for me personally because I was so intricately involved in the genesis of many of its flagship brands over a decade ago,” says Jan Wettergren. “Spring Air has always been a strong consumer brand in Florida because the company was based in Tampa during the years I worked for them. Consumers know the brand, and retail sales associates respect it. There is a huge opportunity for us here.”
“The Wettergrens run the best independent factory in the state of Florida. We like having licensees who are family-owned, multi-generational and rooted in their communities. We could not have found a better licensing partner in the state,” says Nick Bates, president and CEO of Spring Air International. “Florida has long been a critical piece of the puzzle for us, with its huge population and premier retail chains. It is a market where we have not had a strong in-state licensee for almost six years. With this agreement, we are positioned exactly where we need to be.”
