Press Releases

September 21, 2009
FXI LAUNCHES SLEEP PRODUCTS DESIGN COMPETITION FOR PHILADELPHIA UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
Competition to Provide Students with Hands-On Industry Experience

MEDIA, PA – September 21, 2009 – FXI Foamex Innovations, the Philadelphia-based foam innovations company, is partnering with Philadelphia University on a design competition for students to create a new memory foam sleep product for the retail market. The semester-long competition for undergraduate and graduate students is meant to enhance their educations, provide hands-on industry experience, help prepare the students for future employment and, quite possibly, uncover the next great sleep product innovation.

“At FXI, we are committed to bringing innovative solutions to our customers. Engaging with outside partners and academia is a key element of our innovation process. Our foam innovations reach far and wide – they make medical products safer, make vehicles quieter, electronics more reliable, household cleaning products more efficient and, yes, furnishings and bedding more comfortable and durable. Our job is to uncover new foam solutions every day. By partnering with Philadelphia University, we can foster that creative approach to the industry among its next generation of designers and leaders,” said Alvaro Vaselli, Senior Vice President of Foam Products Business Management for FXI.

The FXI competition will involve students from Philadelphia University’s School of Engineering and Textiles as well as its Industrial Design Program. The winning team will be announced in February 2010 and will receive $1,000 and an all-expenses paid trip to launch its sleep product design at the International Sleep Products Association conference in March 2010 in Charlotte, N.C.

“Partnering with businesses throughout the region such as FXI is a great way to build on the education our students receive in the classroom and give them a taste of the industries they are studying and perhaps a wider view of their career choices,” said Janet Brady, Associate Professor of Textiles, School of Engineering and Textiles at Philadelphia University. “This design competition is an innovative way for them to learn about the changing face of textile manufacturing in Philadelphia and elsewhere and bring their studies to life with hands-on industry experience.”

Student entries will be judged on the following criteria: Innovation, Features and Benefits, and Commercial Viability. The competition will be featured on the FXI website. In addition, the top five student teams will see their designs come to life as the products will be manufactured by FXI and its industry partners.

FXI is a leader in sleep solutions. With its proprietary technology advances and environmentally “green” chemistry, FXI’s family of sleep products features cooler sleep surfaces, energizing rest and luxurious comfort.