Maxiflex Philippine Corp., producer of Uratex mattress brand, is investing P560.4 million to manufacture mattresses in Bulacan for exports, estimated at P2.1 billion annually.
In approving the registration of Mariflex, the Board of Investments said the project is entitled to tax and fiscal incentives under the 2022 Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP) of the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act.
Mariflex, a member of the RGC Group of Companies, will start manufacturing operations in October this year at its plant in Plaridel, Bulacan. Its plant has an annual production capacity of up to 680,000 pieces of all-foam and spring mattresses.
The company aims to export around 79 percent of its production to the United States, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and other ASEAN countries. At full capacity, the firm’s export sales will reach over P2.1 billion annually.
“This will provide a boost to the international footprint of our locally-produced mattresses since a great majority of Uratex’s production will cater to foreign markets, leveling up our exports of high-value and high-quality products. Uratex has long been known in the Philippines as it is the leading manufacturer of mattresses,” said Trade Undersecretary and BOI Managing Head Ceferino Rodolfo.
Rodolfo said the exports around the globe will provide greater traction and awareness for Uratex as a world-class brand.
The new facility will be capable of combining different foam and spring materials to create innovative products that will give each customer a very comfortable sleep. It is equipped with Bedding and Mattress Testing machineries that can conduct various performance and durability tests to ensure that the mattresses not only fulfill the intended purposes for which they were designed, but also, compliant with global industry standards.
And to attain high shipping efficiency in the distribution of mattresses, Uratex will be employing a Volume Reduction Packing method, its packaging equipment having the capability to compress and roll pack foam and spring mattresses to optimize space. This is considered a technological breakthrough in the global mattress industry, providing greater opportunity now to bring these high-quality mattresses to all the islands in the archipelago at more efficient logistics and distribution costs.
The Uratex brand has been able to hold its own in the Philippines, maintaining its dominance despite the entry of global brands Tempur, Serta, Ikea, and Emma mattresses. Aside from Uratex, the Philippines has Salem, Philibed, and Mandaue Foam as manufacturers carving their niches in the competitive mattress market.
As of 2021, Philippine exports of mattresses reached $102 million while imports hit $36 million resulting in a surplus of around $66 million, per Tradeline Philippines. The top export markets for mattresses are the Netherlands with $58 million, the United States $35.4 million, and Japan $8.1 million.