Kingsdown set to make hospital beds to relieve pandemic demand

13 April 2020 HGO Staff

TORONTO – High-end mattress producer Kingsdown said last week it is positioning its production capabilities to manufacture beds for use in health care facilities, temporary health care outposts and other treatment facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The changeover has been completed at its factory here as well as its facilities in Shawinigan, Quebec and Mebane, North Carolina.

“We have surveyed our production capabilities, audited our inventory, and determined that Kingsdown can, and will, convert our manufacturing over to hospital and emergency-care grade beds,” Kingsdown U.S.A. chief executive officer Frank Hood said in a statement. “We’re reaching out to the hospital systems throughout North America to assess their needs to ensure we can meet their needs during this public health crisis.”

Hood said the company – whose majority shareholder is Novocap, the Montreal-based investment group – has expanded its capabilities to help meet current demand for treatment and recovery beds. Changes include expedited production of its Care Xpress program, which includes medical-grade mattresses and specialized motion bed frames. The new program includes the Medical Vinyl Xpress mattress, which is available in three profile heights, and the Motion Care Xpress adjustable base with side rails.

Designed specifically for use in hospitals and other health care facilities, the Motion Care Xpress from Kingsdown can be shipped from its factories in Canada and the U.S. within three days of receiving an order. The beds, which are not being donated, can be shipped within three days of receiving the order.

The mattress features a poly core covered in a medical vinyl that is flame resistant and features anti-fungal properties. The adjustable bed base is crafted of melamine and steel and accommodates a variety of positions for optimum comfort. In addition to the adjustability of the bed, the base features telescoping legs for three different height positions – 9, 11 and 13 inches.

The company has reached out to its suppliers to procure approved components needed to make sure the beds feature anti-microbial properties and are hospital-grade compliant. Kingsdown said it is committed to providing mattresses that will meet safety and healthcare standards and will function with the adjustable beds in medical centers.

“For a company whose core values are comfort, support and well-being, it’s a natural move for us to help out any way we can,” Hood added.