TRINITY, N.C. (July 2010) – Sealy® (NYSE: ZZ), North America’s No. 1 mattress brand, today announced that David Moret has joined the company as Vice President of Research & Development.  In his new role, Moret will lead all research, development, innovation, engineering and technical related initiatives. Moret joins Sealy from Newell Rubbermaid, where he transformed its technical organization into a consumer-focused component of the new product development process.

 Moret brings to Sealy 20-plus years of experience with some of the most respected Fortune 50 companies – from Proctor & Gamble to PepsiCo and Johnson & Johnson.  During his three-year tenure at Newell Rubbermaid, Moret delivered unprecedented results from game-changing product introductions as well as the expansion into new product categories for the Décor Business Unit.

“Dave has the know-how and the proven track record to drive significant changes to our new product development process,” said Mike Hofmann, executive vice president of operations, Sealy.  “He will serve as the critical link to our marketing group by translating our voice of consumer research into consumer-driven innovations that ultimately win in the market.” 

Moret began his career with Proctor & Gamble, where he held roles of increasing responsibility in product development.  He successful led the launches for some of the most recognized consumer brand names including Charmin Tissue, Luvs, and Pampers.  His five years at PepsiCo were spent translating consumer trends and research into actionable new product introductions that drove both top- and bottom-line growth.   

“We are incredibly excited to have Moret as part of the Sealy team,” said Hofmann.  “ Dave’s broad skill set will enhance Sealy’s position as a leader in the bedding industry and result in new and exciting products and technologies that ultimately meet consumers’ unmet needs and wants for mattresses.”  

Moret holds a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering from Carnegie-Mellon University. 

About Sealy
Sealy is the bedding industry's largest global manufacturer with sales of $1.3 billion in fiscal 2009. The Company manufactures and markets a broad range of mattresses and foundations under the Sealy®, Sealy Posturepedic®, Sealy Embody™, Stearns & Foster®, and Bassett® brands. Sealy operates 25 plants in North America, and has the largest market share and highest consumer awareness of any bedding brand on the continent. In the United States, Sealy sells its products to approximately 3,000 customers with more than 7,000 retail outlets. Sealy is also a leading supplier to the hospitality industry. For more information, please visit http://www.sealy.com/ .