Simmons Bedding Company announced today that it is partnering with Big Tree Furniture & Industries, Inc., on a new collection of Simmons® and Beautyrest® branded futon mattresses. The license agreement combines the strength of Simmons’ technology and brand name with the fashion-forward look of Big Tree’s futon frames and covers.

“Futons are an essential part of our licensing portfolio and fit a specific consumer need, so we are thrilled to be working with an innovative, high-quality futon provider like Big Tree,” said Tim Oakhill, Simmons’ executive vice president of marketing. “We chose to work with Big Tree because of the wide selection and forward-thinking designs they offer consumers. Our goal was to partner with the industry leader, and Big Tree definitely meets that criterion.”

The new collection will include a range of full and queen models that use either the Simmons® or Simmons® Beautyrest® brand names. Value-priced innerspring futons will include Simmons’ open coil design, while higher priced models will incorporate special four-inch-tall Beautyrest® Pocketed Coil® springs.

“We believe that Simmons’ innerspring and Pocketed Coil® designs will provide our customers with the perfect balance of comfort and support during the night,” said Bob Pecoraro, president of Big Tree. “The addition of these technologies will help simplify our step-up story, plus it demonstrates the ongoing advancements that are taking place within the futon industry.”

A preview of the new futon collection took place during the January 2008 Las Vegas Furniture Market. The collection officially will launch in April 2008, and the entire line will be displayed at the July 2008 Las Vegas Furniture Market.