History of Englander

Englander Sleep (the “Company”) is the second oldest manufacturer of quality sleep products in the United States.  The name and product was first established in 1894 by Max Englander of New York, the Company’s founder.  Later, he sold the Company to Ira Pink, a Chicago based firm.  He was one of the all time great bedding merchants, and under Pink’s direction, Englander became a recognizable name.

In the early 1960’s, Union Carbide acquired the brand further strengthened the name through extensive sales and marketing.  In 1970, the Englander trademark was subsequently purchased by the United States Bedding Company.  Through nine national plants, a national marketing staff, a team of regional sales managers and representatives, the penetration of the Englander name became an accomplished fact.  Englander Sleep Products has always been an innovator within the industry.  It was the first bedding manufacturer to introduce the continuous coil unit and the first to market the latex foam mattress.  Within ten years, Englander was selling to national accounts such as Wickes, Wards and J.C. Penny, to name a few.  In late 1979, the United States Bedding Company sold to the California-based Van Vorst Company.

In 1985, Schottenstein Stores Corporation of Columbus, Ohio purchased the Englander name and its trademarks.  Since then, the company has grown to over seventeen manufacturing and distribution centers, including four international locations in just seven years.

Englander also continued its sales growth in the Hospitality and Health Care areas.  The Lady Englander Velvet Touch Collection, Lady Englander Princess and Tension Ease were the three lines to be introduced in the new program.  In 1989, Englander joined forces with the number one name in health fitness and presented the Nautilus Mattress.  This was the first true High Profile unit, a 6-1/4” high open end offset unit, exclusive with Englander,  The sleep system became popular with the “active lifestyle” consumer and continues to play a strong role in the Englander bedding lineup.

At the High Point Market in October 1991, Englander again introduced an industry first… the “Illusion Comfort Seal” Sleep System using state of the art technology, the innerspring is fully immersed in foam, creating a unit that offers a choice of firmness, the comfort of foam and the support of innerspring.  The unit features (HP) high performance foam that is hypo-allergenic and environmentally safe.  Next, Englander presented the 21st Century Sleep System with a new “Zero-Motion” program using this Illusion comfort seal unit.

In April 1995, the all new Laytex 100% pure natural rubber mattress was introduced to complement the proven winners: Lady Englander Velvet Touch Collection, Lady Englander Princess Collection and the famous Tension Ease… known for its award-winning promotions, Englander has introduced a new complete gallery for the 21st Century, extensive point-of-purchase (POP) and advertising material as well as seven customized TV and radio spots for dealers.

In July 2002, England, Inc., a La-Z-Boy subsidiary acquired the Englander name and trademarks.  This was an excellent opportunity for both our customers and the retail public, and brought the company a lot of growth.

Currently

In October 2005, Englander Sleep Products, LLC, a limited liability company formed by seven licensees of Englander, acquired the Englander name and trademarks from England, Inc.  The seven licensee owners operate ten U.S. plants.  Edward Ciolkosz, President of Englander Midwest, is serving as the Chairman of the Manufacturing Committee for Englander Sleep Products, LLC. 

In March 2007, Englander teamed up with Bedding World of Taiwan, which has been licensed to produce Englander-brand bedding in China and Taiwan.  Englander continues to think of ways to expand the popularity and name recognition of Englander.

The Family Business Story

Edward and Susan (“Ed” and “Sue”) Ciolkosz began making beds in the basement of a small store in the early 1980’s as a family run business.  On December 1, 1986, Illinois Sleep Products, Inc., d/b/a Englander Midwest, was incorporated in the State of Illinois.  The factory is currently located near Midway airport in Chicago, but has moved from a few different Chicago-land locations since its existence.  Within the last few years, Nancy and Cindy Ciolkosz (Ed & Sue’s daughters) have also started working for the Company and assist with the day-to-day operations.  Over seventy workers are currently employed, including drivers, factory workers, salesmen, and office staff.