Where the newest developments in sleep technology meet traditional, quality craftsmanship, Araam Inc. has been Canada’s premier manufacturer of luxury, standard and custom mattresses for the last 20 years. With a focus on sustainability, quality and comfort, we are proud to be the sole authorized manufacturer of Hypnos, Sprout and Sova mattresses in Canada.
- Being a proud holder of the Royal Warrant of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Hypnos is renowned internationally as the expert in making handcrafted pocket-coil beds using the finest natural materials from around the world.
- Sprout is a Canadian-made mattress that is handcrafted using natural, chemical-free materials to provide a hypoallergenic, healthy and comfortable rest.
- Sova is an economical mattress created for the budget-conscious customer looking for a contemporary look and feel. The newest collection, SOVA SOUL, is designed in collaboration with a local indigenous artist for a unique flare.
At Araam, we are passionate about Canadian design and manufacturing, which is why all of our mattresses and foundations are proudly made in Canada. Our company-owned, 75,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility in Edmonton distributes mattresses to consumers all across Canada. Together with our network of exceptional retailers and commercial partners, we strive to help make our consumer’s bedrooms the healthiest it can be while ensuring the best sleep possible.
Our mandate is to have meaningful relationships built on honesty, integrity and teamwork – not only with our customers but also with our partners, suppliers and employees. These values, along with our constant innovation and research, allow us to provide consumers with top-quality sleep products and customer service unlike any other.
Tell us about yourself?
I would describe myself as an avid MAMIL, “middle-aged man in lycra” – that is, a man who rides his bike for exercise and leisure on a regular basis. Biking is one of my favourite hobbies, and when I’m not at Araam, you can find me riding the River Valley with my biker gang, playing tennis with my wife and kids, travelling the world, or golfing with friends. I am an optimist who enjoys whatever challenges life throws my way. My current motto is “living the struggle of living in the present.” I have recently embarked on a journey to strengthen my meditation skills and aim to incorporate this practice into my daily life, whether at home or at work.
If you could go back in time a year or two, what piece of advice would you give yourself?
Be persistent in your endeavours, as success may not come in its immediate form. Keep track of your goals and measure up against them 3 to 4 times a year.
What problem does your business solve?
With the busy lives we live today, sleep deprivation has become a growing concern around the world. While there are many reasons contributing to one’s sleep deprivation. The quality of our primary sleep products, such as our mattresses, can play a significant role in determining whether we get a restful or restless sleep. At Araam, we constantly strive to create mattresses that will transform the quality of every Canadian’s sleep. All of our products are crafted to provide optimal support to the spine, correct body alignment, and provide consistent comfort for many years. As much as we are committed to introducing high-quality sleep products to the marketplace, we are equally invested in bettering the lives of our consumers through sleep education and holistic methodology. Through our custom Sleep Habit Assessment and Sleep Ecosystem Concept, we suggest methods to improving one’s sleeping habits, as well as ways in which one can create the optimal environment for a restful sleep.
What is the inspiration behind your business?
I knew that innovation was always extremely important, no matter what industry I worked in. When I started to get into the mattress industry, I felt it was lacking in this area. So, I set out to change things. My first inspiration came from discussions with friends and family who would often talk about their poor sleep. I began to ask questions and realized that a lot of the mattresses my friends owned were not suited for their body types, sleep habits or even basic preferences. That is when I thought, “What if people could have a mattress specifically suited to fulfill their individual needs?”. I then embarked on a mission to learn about what it takes to craft the best quality mattress and how to properly assess one’s sleep requirements. I created various lines from scratch, all to address different areas of concern. From there, I then set out to share this knowledge with others to enhance their sleep experiences through proper education.
What is your magic sauce?
Our attitude and drive towards innovation, along with our exceptionally talented and committed staff and community partners, have been the success of our story.
This year we were awarded the Designers and Decorators Association of Canada, Affiliate of the Year Award in recognition of our commitment and support toward the design community.
Some of our innovative initiatives include the creation of the first ever fully circular mattress in North America, Sprout Circular. Having health and sustainability in mind, we partnered up with a team of designers at Niaga to construct Sprout Circular, where every component of the mattress is 100% recyclable.
Another would be the creation of Sova Soul, a mattress with a unique border. As a responsible member of our community, we collaborated with a local First Nations artist, Lance Cardinal, to create a unique mattress with a one-of-a-kind border where a portion of the proceeds would go directly to a non-profit organization, The Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women (IAAW).
Our Philosophy is not only to help our consumers get a good night’s sleep. We want to help them live a better life and gain the benefits that a deep restful sleep can bring to one’s mind and body through creativity and innovation, while being socially and environmentally responsible.
What is the plan for the next 5 years? What do you want to achieve?
Over the next 5 years, we aim to disrupt the sleep industry and become known as a leader in bettering sleep. We will do so by continuing to grow our exceptional team, investing in research and innovation, as well as partnering with the community to support other local businesses and charities. By year 5, we hope to achieve fully circular products, so no mattress ends up in a landfill, ever.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced so far?
We have several challenges over the past 20 years of being in business. One of the most repetitive obstacles that we face daily is competing against mass-produced mattresses. Especially in today’s economy, most consumers are more concerned about saving money short-term than the quality of their sleep long-term. However, you don’t have to sacrifice your sleep without breaking the bank. We aim to educate our customers on the long-term reward (and savings) of investing in a good quality mattress upfront. A mattress is something that you spend 8 hours every night sleeping on. That’s simply a 3rd of your day, a lot of time when you consider the sum of hours over a 5-to-10-year period. By not cutting corners and investing in something durable, you can end up saving more money in the long run – and, saving yourself from sleep-related health implications down the road. Mass-produced mattresses are often made with low-quality, conventional foam and other
synthetic materials that collect mould and mildew and are designed to fail in 3-5 years; whereas our mattresses are made to last 10-15 years due to the durability of materials selected and the quality construction.
While we have begun to notice a trend in customers looking for better, healthier mattress options, we are still continuing to work on simplifying the selling process and educating customers on the importance of not taking any shortcuts when it comes to their sleep.
How do people get involved/buy into your vision?
For those who are interested in partnering with Araam, would like help purchasing a new mattress, or would simply like to learn more, please contact our VP of Sales, Tony Palladino by email (tony.palladino@araaminc.com) or by phone (780.444.1388 Ext. 237). To see our selection and test out our mattresses, please visit our showroom at Healthy Bedroom (11620 178 St NW, Edmonton, AB) or our showroom at Toronto International Design Centre (TIDC), Suite 209 (6900 Airport Rd, Mississauga, ON L4V 1E8).
Reach out to us on social media as well!:
- Araam Facebook- @Araam Inc
- Araam Instagram- @araam_inc
- Araam LinkedIn- @Araam Inc
- Araam Twitter- @araam_inc
- Healthy Bedroom Instagram- @healthybedroom