Simmons Bedding Misses Interest Payment

Simmons Bedding Co., a portfolio company of THL Partners, last week missed a $7.9 million interest payment on its $200 million 7.875% senior subordinated notes. 

PRESS RELEASE

Simmons Bedding Company (“Simmons Bedding”), a subsidiary of Simmons Company (“Simmons” or the “Company”) and a leading manufacturer of premium-branded bedding products, today announced that it did not make the scheduled interest payment of $7.9 million due on January 15, 2009 on its $200.0 million 7.875% senior subordinated notes (“Notes”).

If the interest payment is not made within the 30-day grace period provided by the indenture governing the Notes, an event of default would occur, which would enable the holders of the Notes to declare the full amount of the Notes immediately due and payable.

On November 12, 2008, Simmons Bedding Company entered into a forbearance agreement with its senior bank lenders and then, on December 9, 2008, announced that it had reached an agreement to extend its forbearance period to March 31, 2009.

“The forbearance period extension which we entered into in early December is designed to provide us with sufficient time to reduce the leverage on our balance sheet by pursuing an organized financial restructuring,” said Stephen G. Fendrich, Simmons Bedding’s President and Chief Operating Officer. “Simmons continues to make progress working with its various financial stakeholders to design and implement a restructuring in a manner that maximizes value and preserves and protects its relationships with customers and suppliers. These discussions will not affect our industry leadership or the unparalleled service, innovation and products for which we are known.”

Simmons Company’s cash on hand as of January 14, 2009 was approximately $49.7 million, which is available to pay operating costs and expenses.

About Simmons Company

Atlanta-based Simmons Company, through its indirect subsidiary Simmons Bedding Company, is one of the world’s largest mattress manufacturers, manufacturing and marketing a broad range of products including Beautyrest(R), Beautyrest Black(R), Beautyrest Studio(TM), ComforPedic by Simmons(TM), Natural Care(R), Beautyrest Beginnings(TM) and Deep Sleep(R). Simmons Bedding operates 19 conventional bedding manufacturing facilities and two juvenile bedding manufacturing facilities across the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Simmons Bedding also serves as a key supplier of beds to many of the world’s leading hotel groups and resort properties. Simmons Bedding is committed to developing superior mattresses and promoting a higher quality sleep for consumers around the world. For more information, visit the Company’s website at www.simmons.com.