Hello All,
There have been a few developments with Latex International that don’t look particularly promising.
A fire http://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Shelton-fire-another-setback-for-Latex-5581359.php
And their property and assets up for sale http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/local/article/Latex-Foam-site-up-for-auction-5585492.php
Phoenix
Uh-oh.
Sounds like very bad news for LI, and all the vendors with direct ties to LI. That would include at least KTT and PLB, if I’m not mistaken, and I don’t know who else.
I’m so glad I finally decided on a topper and bought the last PLB 3 inch Fast Response Natural Talalay Latex with ActiveFusion topper in queen size that Amazon had in-stock and ready to ship as a fulfillment purchase a couple of weeks ago - a . At $499, free shipping, no tax, and with half the price sitting in my Amazon gift card account, it looked like a good idea to finally make up my mind and give it a try.
I love it - the 15 ILD is the perfect comfort layer for me, and I always had liked the covers on those toppers. The ActiveFusion wasn’t what I was after - it was the level of softness that was important to me, and the cover on the topper. My bed finally feels the way I always wanted it to feel - the Talalay on top of the Dunlop was what I apparently needed all the time and didn’t have enough sense to figure it out for way too long.
I do have to wonder what this fire and sale of assets is going to mean for the latex industry, at least short term. Also wonder about the implications for people who have invested thousands in something like one of the high priced PLB mattresses, and whether they’re now stuck without any warranty coverage (not that I think warranties on mattresses are usually all that important, but still I know people tend to factor things like that in when they make a decision to purchase).
Hi Clawdia,
I heard some information today that suggested the fire may not have been as bad as the news media indicated and that the factory may be open early next week. Their distribution centers are also in full operation.
There was also no date attached to the auction apparently and it may have just been part of the “normal” bankruptcy proceedings. It was listed before the fire so the two aren’t connected.
In other words … things may look worse than they really are (and hopefully that’s true) but the picture should become more clear over the course of the next week or so.
Phoenix
Hi Clawdia,
I forgot to mention in my last reply that I’m thrilled to hear that your Talalay layer is working out so well for you.
Way to go 
Phoenix
I wonder what sort of fire retardant materials they use in the factory - wool, rayon?
Thanks, Phoenix. Those 3" of soft Talalay have made all the difference in the world in the way my mattress feels.
Rayon and silica in the PLB mattresses. Fire Resistant Barrier
Hi All,
I thought I would post an update here http://www.furnituretoday.com/article/489497-latex-international-shifts-production-fill-orders
It looks like the employees have been working hard to get the plant up and running again and that some of the news reports about the effect of the fire or about the implications of the auction that was advertised were exaggerated or not accurate.
Things appear to be moving quickly back to normal and I have also confirmed with a few people I know that shipments are going out on time.
All of this is good news and with the steps they have taken to reorganize and their efforts to minimize the effects of the fire on their customers I think that things are looking fairly positive for their future.
Phoenix
Rayon and silica in the PLB mattresses. Fire Resistant Barrier[/quote]
I was asking what they use in the factory, that is, to protect the factory.
Hi AnalogJ,
They have had other fires in the past so their whole factory was designed and built with the possibility of a fire in mind and to “contain” fires by compartmentalizing different areas. Apparently one of the reasons the fire spread as far as it did (based on a second hand conversation I had) was that one of the firemen opened a door that they weren’t supposed to.
Phoenix