The Indian Sleep Products Federation (ISPF) has announced a significant transition in its executive leadership. Effective September 1, 2026, Mr. Jacob George, Chairman and Managing Director of Duroflex Ltd., has officially taken over as the Chairman of ISPF following a resolution passed at the recent Managing Committee Meeting. Mr. George succeeds Mr. Rakesh Chahar, Deputy Managing Director of Sheela Foam Ltd., who has served as the Chairman of ISPF since its inception. Under Mr. Chahar’s founding leadership, the Federation established a unified national platform for the mattress industry, fostering collaboration and addressing key industry matters.
While stepping down from the Chairmanship, Mr. Chahar will continue to play an active role in guiding the organization as the Lead Member of the newly constituted ISPF Governing Council. He is joined on the Council by distinguished industry leaders Mr. Purshottam Malani, CMD of Centuary Fibre Plates Pvt. Ltd., and Mr. Mathew Chandy, Director of Duroflex Limited.
The Federation expressed its deep gratitude to Mr. Chahar for his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to the growth of the sector over the years, while extending its congratulations and full support to Mr. Jacob George as he takes charge to lead ISPF into its next phase of growth.
BIS’s tougher mattress standard is now fully in force
The transition period for IS 13489:2025, the Bureau of Indian Standards’ revised specification for bed mattresses, ended on 27 May 2026. This means mattresses sold in India now have to comply with the updated requirements instead of the older 2000-era standard. The revised standard strengthens testing and documentation requirements covering areas such as foam, textiles, springs and cover materials. The rules also affect imported mattresses.
Importers are required to provide updated test reports before goods can receive customs clearance. For organised manufacturers, meeting the requirements may mainly involve additional compliance work. However, the impact can be greater on the large unorganised segment, where manufacturers often compete primarily through lower prices. The stricter standards could therefore support the formalisation of India’s mattress industry. Companies that invest in testing, documentation and consistent product quality may gain an advantage over smaller players that find compliance more expensive or difficult. Over time, this could encourage consumers and retailers to place greater importance on certified and compliant products
Aadi foam enters branded play with new mattress label Sleeply
Aadi Foam, an established manufacturer boasting over 36 years of deep-rooted experience and technical expertise in the foam business, has officially made its grand entrance into the branded mattress space. This strategic expansion is marked by the launch of Sleeply, a fresh, consumer-facing mattress brand engineered specifically to focus on accessible, everyday comfort. By pivoting toward a consumer-centric model, Aadi Foam is not merely introducing a new product line; it is fundamentally transforming its business identity to capture higher margins and establish a direct dialogue with the end user.
Aadi Foam will now handle retail marketing, customer acquisition and direct-to-consumer logistics. Sleeply adds to a crowded market where brands compete for retail space, online visibility and consumer attention. Manufacturers with production capacity, distribution links and raw-material access can enter branding more easily. Sleeply’s launch therefore shows that competition in India’s branded mattress segment is continuing to expand, with more manufacturers looking to build direct relationships with consumers.
Ultimately, Sleeply’s debut serves as a clear indicator that competition within India’s booming branded mattress segment is accelerating rapidly. As more legacy manufacturers recognize the power of direct-to-consumer engagement, the industry is witnessing a structural transformation where production power meets direct brand storytelling, permanently altering how comfort is delivered to Indian households.