Dunlopillo sells latex foam pillow business

HARROGATE, England (Oct. 29)—Dunlopillo Holdings Ltd. has sold its consumer division, which primarily makes pillows, to Swedish bed and bedding supplier Hilding Anders. The deal is designed to refocus the Harrogate-based latex foamer on its core business, while giving the consumer business good growth opportunities, Richard Smith, Dunlop Latex Foam CEO, said in a prepared statement. The Swedish firm, which makes Slumberland beds, has bought both the assets of the Dunlopillo business and the rights to the Dunlopillo trade name in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Dunlopillo Holdings will continue to make latex and other foam types under the name Dunlop Latex Foam Ltd., and retains the rights to the Dunlopillo brand in more than 70 overseas territories. About 25 percent of Dunlop Holdings' 320-strong work force will transfer to Hilding Anders.