Daily News
From Home Furnishing Business
Gold Bond in Favor of Chinese Mattress Tariffs
July 25,
2018 by Laurie Northington in Business Strategy, Industry 
Independent mattress producer Gold Bond has come out in support of Chinese mattress tariffs. According to Robert Naboicheck, president of Gold Bond, the tariffs would bring relief to the Connecticut-based company and other domestic mattress manufacturers.
Naboicheck, whose company uses U.S.-made mattress components exclusively, said Chinese mattress imports have cornered the low end of the market in many areas of the United States, but the 10 percent tariff could boost his company’s business because it would shrink or eliminate the unfair cost advantage now enjoyed by Chinese producers.
“There is a lot of confusion and concern by dealers of all sizes because of the proposed tariffs. Our dealers are looking to increase purchases from domestic manufacturers like us as a safe haven from what they anticipate will be a tumultuous time carrying Chinese-made product,” said Naboicheck. “I like free trade, but it has to be free and equal, and it’s not equal right now. The Chinese government clearly is subsidizing mattress producers who ship into the U.S. market, but the tariff would offset that advantage, strengthen American mattress manufacturing and preserve American jobs.”
Naboicheck said the tariff also would help domestic suppliers of components such as innersprings, foam and ticking – all of which are key elements of Gold Bond’s supply chain.
“With consumer confidence near an all-time high and unemployment near an all-time low, it’s critical that we keep the economy humming,” he said. “The tariff would give domestic mattress manufacturers and components producers a fighting chance against these low-end imports.”