King Koil
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Mattress and bedding manufacturing |
| Founded | 1 January 1898 in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States |
| Founder | Samuel Bronstein |
| Headquarters | Avondale, Arizona , United States |
Area served | Worldwide (over 90 countries) |
| Products | Mattresses, bed frames, pillows, couches |
| Owner | AI Dream (Hillhouse Investment Management) |
King Koil is a mattress and bedding company based in Avondale, Arizona, United States. Established in 1898 by Samuel Bronstein, it ranks among the longest-standing mattress manufacturers in America. The brand has a global footprint, operating in over 90 countries through a network of more than 30 licensees.
Ownership transitioned during 2015-2016 when Malaysian entities Kumpulan Perangsang Selangor (holding 60%) and Kaiserkorp Corp (holding 40%) acquired the company, signaling a strategic change in control.
History
Originally founded as the United States Bedding Company by Samuel Bronstein in 1898 in Saint Paul, Minnesota, King Koil started with a small team of six workers and gradually expanded its production facilities. By 1905, the company was formally incorporated and, by 1912, offered a comprehensive range of products including mattresses, bed frames, pillows, and couches.
In 1923, the firm secured a patent for a mattress designed to resist stretching. By 1926, its workforce had grown to approximately 150 employees. During the economic challenges of the 1930s Great Depression, a contest was held that resulted in adopting the 'King Koil' brand name.
Throughout both World Wars, King Koil contributed by supplying mattresses and military furniture, broadening its manufacturing to include equipment for military installations worldwide.
The late 1970s saw King Koil enhance its market share through acquiring the Englander Mattress Company. The introduction of franchising began in 1982, expanding to 175 franchise outlets across 22 states by 1990.
In 2015, Kaiserkorp Corp took ownership of King Koil Licensing Company. Subsequently, in May 2016, Kumpulan Perangsang Selangor acquired a majority interest for US$28.8 million.
December 2019 marked the relocation of King Koil’s U.S. headquarters from Willowbrook, Illinois to Avondale, Arizona, aligning operations closer to its manufacturing plant inaugurated in 2018.
In 2024, AI Dream—a licensing arm of Hillhouse Investment Management—completed an acquisition of King Koil, supporting further international expansion.
Operations
Adopting a licensing business model, King Koil operates worldwide through over 30 licensees across more than 90 countries as of 2019.
The company entered the United Arab Emirates market in 1993 by partnering with Dubai Furniture Manufacturing Company (DFMC), currently operating fifteen retail showrooms throughout the UAE.
In September 2006, King Koil established a licensing agreement with Askona to produce and distribute mattresses within Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan.
Its presence in China commenced in 2000 via a licensing arrangement with King Koil Shanghai Sleep System Co., Ltd. Private equity firm CITIC Capital gained controlling interest in August 2014, followed by Advent International acquiring majority ownership in November 2016.
Following its acquisition by Kaiserkorp Corp in 2015, King Koil reinstated direct manufacturing operations within the U.S. The Avondale facility services seventeen states including Arizona, California, Colorado, Texas, and Washington. Eastern U.S. manufacturing and distribution are handled through a strategic alliance with Blue Bell Mattress.
Additionally, King Koil sustains licensed operations across Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam.
King Koil India
King Koil made its debut in the Indian market in 2007, starting operations in Mumbai before expanding into Bangalore. The brand has since opened eight retail outlets located in Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune, Nasik, and Delhi.
In September 2013, King Koil entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with Real Innerspring Technologies Limited (RITL), backed by a significant investment. King Koil India holds the official license to operate in India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. The company manages four manufacturing facilities situated in Sonipat, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Bhiwandi near Mumbai, collectively producing approximately 10,000 mattresses each month as of December 2022.
The brand caters to both consumer retail markets and the hospitality industry, counting prominent hotel chains such as Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, Radisson, and Ramada among its key clients.
Reception
In an October 2023 evaluation, The New York Times ranked King Koil’s Air Mattress as the runner-up, praising its comfort level and ability to retain air. Earlier in March 2023, USA Today also commended the mattress for its comfort in their review. Moreover, CNN editors declared King Koil’s air mattress a definitive winner in September 2023.
Multiple King Koil products have received endorsements from the International Chiropractors Association and have been awarded the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval by Good Housekeeping magazine.