Hot springs.(MANUFACTURING)(Brief article)

Those that say manufacturing is dying in California might want to sit down for this, or better yet, lay down: A Venice company that designs high-end mattresses has brought its manufacturing to Southern California.

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Although Somnium is a local company, it had been importing its mattresses from Austria, where owner Rainer Wieland was born and raised. But seeking to cut costs, Sonium has started manufacturing its beds closer to home.

The company has contracted with a company in Buena Park that makes mattress covers and another in Riverside that makes spring assemblies and foam. It declined to name the companies for competitive reasons.

"They were picked as partners because they have enough capacity, machinery and production know-how to facilitate pretty much any rate of growth of Somnium," Wieland said. "Apparently, there is no shortage of talent to find if you are looking for it in Southern California."

Wieland, an aspiring musician who moved to Los Angeles in 1999, was inspired to start a mattress company when his roommate suffered a herniated disk. He commissioned Austrian designer Harald Hatchenberger to create two bed-frame models named OmniFlex, which are handmade in wood and leather, and available in a variety of wood finishes.

Unlike conventional beds, Somnium's product has a mattress cover that can be taken off and placed in a washing machine. Also, the springs are made of recyclable plastic that are encased in just two inches of foam, so the bed is just a fraction of the weight of traditional steel coil mattresses.

The beds, which retail from $1,850 for a twin to $2,500 for a king, sell in 18 stores throughout the United States. Wieland hopes to expand to hotel chains and major retailers.

Staff Reporter Francisco Vara-Orta can be reached at (323) 549-5225, ext. 241, or at fvara-orta@labusinesjournal.com

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