South Bay Expands Capacity With New Facility
By Elaina Hundley
Always anticipating the future needs of its partners, South Bay International is taking a long-term approach to addressing supply chain issues and rising container costs. Dedicated to creating the best experience possible for its customers, the move to build a new facility in Juarez, Mexico will allow the company to increase its capabilities and pour its own foam.
About midway to completion, the new facility will offer space for innerspring and pocketed coil spring creation and foam pouring. It will also produce completed mattresses as well. Aimed at combating rising container costs, this move also supports the company’s seamless drop-shipping capabilities. South Bay was already unique with its vertically integrated approach and this most recent development further solidifies the company’s positioning.
A Vertically Integrated Approach
Toby Konetzny, the senior director of business development at South Bay International explains, “We’ve kind of always prided ourselves on being vertically integrated. We’ve never relied on other manufacturing for our adjustable beds, mattresses and pillows and so forth. We’ve always been hands-on in that aspect. With an evolving political climate and fluctuating freight costs, it just makes more sense to be a little bit closer to home. That’s really why we felt that being [in Mexico] would make more sense long term.”
Addressing the continued consumer demand for wellness-oriented bedding and mattress products in both the brick-and-mortar and ecommerce sectors, South Bay offers a varied portfolio of latex foam to hybrid models, all of which include patented edge support in the actual comfort layers. By using air channels, foam bases and articulating cuts, the construction allows the beds to work with adjustable bases.
“We’ve kind of always prided ourselves on being vertically integrated. We’ve never relied on other manufacturing for our adjustable beds, mattresses and pillows and so forth. We’ve always been hands-on in that aspect. With an evolving political climate and fluctuating freight costs, it just makes more sense to be a little bit closer to home. That’s really why we felt that being [in Mexico] would make more sense long term.”
—Toby Konetzny, senior director of business development at South Bay International
Tackling Health Concerns With Allerknit
Through its new Allerknit consumer product line, South Bay is even more directly tackling consumer health concerns. According to the myriad lab tests conducted by the company, Allerknit repels 99% of dust mites; the functional agent includes a combination of highly active mite killing powder, bactericidal molecules and natural plant extracts.
Allerknit technology laminates the formula into a single silk fiber, allowing each fiber to slowly release this combination to dust mites. All elements of Allerknit are widely used and well-known to be safe for bedding and human contact and it is easy to clean.
Helping Retailers Stock Their Showrooms Thoroughly & Efficiently
From the unique Allerknit product, mattresses, pillows and adjustable bases to toppers, protectors, upholstery barrels and foundations, South Bay can help retailers thoroughly stock their showroom floor quickly and efficiently. The company embodies customer convenience, offering domestic and factory direct competitive pricing as well as domestic warehousing with nationwide direct-to-consumer drop-ship capabilities. Its latest expansion can accommodate companies in rapid growth mode—providing high-quality products seamlessly.
“Having the additional facility in Juarez as well as making significant expansions here in Rancho Cucamonga will build capacity and allow us to continue creating great custom programs for numerous retailers.”
—Toby Konetzny, senior director of business development at South Bay International