Visit to the Avanti Sleep mattress factory last Tuesday. Canada Strong.

A Canadian company serving Canadians

In today’s economic environment, manufacturing and buying Canadian carries even greater meaning. Trade tensions, tariffs and uncertainty throughout global supply chains remind us how important it is to preserve our know-how, jobs and manufacturing capabilities here at home.

That is exactly what I saw during my visit to Avanti Mattress. Avanti is a Canadian company manufacturing here to serve Canadians, and it continues to invest in ways that can further increase the Canadian content of its products.

Investing in our manufacturing capabilities

One of the things that stood out during the visit was the addition of new equipment that allows Avanti to bring certain production steps in-house rather than outsourcing them.

A good example is the embroidery of the Avanti logo seen on the mattresses. This can now be done directly at the factory. Beyond the significant savings, it gives Avanti greater control over production, quality and lead times.

Another new machine provides the ability to create different patterns on the sides of mattresses, offering greater flexibility and creativity in product design and presentation. A new quilting machine for innerspring mattresses is now in operation and is twice as fast as the previous one. In addition, a second quilting machine has been added, delivering 40% greater performance than the older equipment.

There is more good news from Avanti. The company has three buildings in Saint-Narcisse, Quebec. One is used to store components, finished pillows and adjustable bases, while another has been used to manufacture Bonnell coils and foundations. That building is now being transformed into a full second manufacturing facility.

The objective is to further increase production capacity in order to meet the needs of customers who want to buy Canadian, while continuing to properly serve the retailers who have supported us for many years. This means faster lead times for our customers. In addition, the departure of a major North American manufacturer has created an opportunity for Avanti to hire experienced workers who recently lost their jobs.

New technology at the core of the mattress

We also had the opportunity to discover new technology being introduced into the core of an upcoming premium foam collection.

Among the developments is a design incorporating channels that promote airflow and heat dissipation while also helping reduce pressure points according to body weight. The design also allows the mattress to articulate smoothly when paired with an adjustable bed.

And there is more: blue gel infused into the mattress core is designed to further improve heat dissipation. The objective is simple: better temperature management and, ultimately, better sleep — or simply, sleep!

These are innovations consumers may not immediately see from the outside, but they can make a meaningful difference when you consider spending eight hours a night on a mattress. I’m looking forward to the launch of this collection later this fall.

Innovation beyond the mattress

Avanti Sleep is also continuing to develop its adjustable-base offering.

The Liv2Go has been redesigned and improved while remaining at the same price, an important advantage at a time when costs are increasing across so many categories.

A new LivIt adjustable base is also expected by the end of the year, featuring three motors. It will provide an additional independent head adjustment, along with back and foot positioning. This means adjustable head positioning will be available even with split-head or split-head-and-foot configurations. Once again, the goal is to provide more comfort options and better meet the real needs of today’s consumers.

At a time when costs matter more than ever, split-head-and-foot options provide truly individualized comfort while helping promote relaxation and pressure relief for the back, legs and more.

Producing more in Canada matters

What I took away from this visit was not simply one new machine or one new technology. It was the direction of the company.

At a time of trade tensions and considerable uncertainty in international markets, Avanti is choosing to invest in its Canadian manufacturing facilities, its equipment, its expertise and its ability to manufacture more in Canada.

For retailers, this means working with a manufacturer that is more autonomous, flexible and close to its market. For consumers, it means access to products developed and manufactured here in Canada, with a continuous focus on comfort, quality and value.

Our team left the factory even more motivated to present Avanti products and, just as importantly, to tell the story behind the finished product.

Today, “Made in Canada” is more than a statement of origin. It is also an investment in our economy, our know-how and our future.

Thank you to our partners who continue to place their trust in us — in my case, for 10 years already.

Keep an eye on Avanti’s upcoming innovations. Supporting Canadian manufacturing also means supporting our economy, while our goal remains to deliver more value for every dollar.

Christian Stanley Gagnon