December 9, 2010, NEW YORK - For consumer goods designer and manufacturer MindsInSync, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery until it infringes on patent-pending materials and trade secrets.
MindsInSync is the company behind the two leading home lifestyle brands Aquatopia; and Microdry. Both feature innovative technologies that include patent-pending materials and proprietary manufacturing processes. In particular, the company's Microdry brand features top-selling products that are revolutionizing their categories. The fabrics and processes behind the Microdry collection guarantee a level of performance and quality that give the consumer confidence in the brand.
As happens frequently in the marketplace, innovation is fast being followed by imitation, prompting MindsInSync to notify the home marketplace of its intellectual properties and its intent to protect them. As Microdry continues to expand its collection, MindsInSync intends to reinforce the brand positioning as 'genuine Microdry' and support it with marketing that speaks to the products as being originals in their categories.
MindsInSync was founded in 2005 on the principle that smarter living is better living. In pursuit of this philosophy, the company has developed unique and innovative new products targeting white-space areas in the home lifestyle marketplace. Today, its Microdry and Aquatopia brands are top-sellers that are redefining the comforts of home.
January 21, 2011, NEW YORK - No, we're not referring to the Madonna and Sean Penn movie we all want to forget, but to the opening of the new MindsInSync office in Shanghai.
As part of its ongoing pattern of fast and far-reaching growth, MindsInSync has just opened a beautiful new office in Shanghai to complement its locations in New York City, London, Hong Kong and Shenzhen. The new office located in the historic Puxi district offers the 37 employees fantastic views over the Huangpu River and the iconic Shanghai skyline. The Shanghai office will serve as the firm's Asia headquarters, complete with its own sales, marketing, design and operations teams to serve the Asian market.
January 31, 2011, NEW YORK - Jill Fisher, Founder and SVP of MindsInSync, was the featured guest on the radio program Miracle Mondays. The show airs on Heartbeat Radio for Women, the world's first international radio station for women. Click here to listen to Jill tell the story behind the founding of the company as well as her challenges as a three-time cancer survivor.
February 1, 2011, NEW YORK - Jill Fisher, our Co-Founder and SVP was recently interviewed by faboverfifty.com. Take a look for yourself and enter for a chance to win a free Microdry gift pack.
NEW YORK, Feb 15, 2011 -- MindsInSync, Inc., a global consumer goods company creating an innovative new class of products for home and lifestyle, announced today a partnership with Loews Hotels and its Loews Loves Pets travel program catering to people traveling with pets. As part of the program's "Woofie Weekends" package, four-legged guests will receive a complimentary Microdry(R) Ultimate Luxury Memory Foam Pet Mat. These tail-waggingly comfortable mats feature super-soft, ultra-absorbent Microdry fabric and a 1/2" of memory foam to provide dogs with contoured support and help retain body warmth for enhanced coziness at home and on the road.
Loews Hotels will be offering the memory foam pet mat at all 18 of its locations in the U.S. and Canada during its Woofie Weekends promotion, running now through April 30, 2011. The package features a one-night stay for you and your BFF (Best Furry Friend), a "Wag Your Tail Delight" meal delivered to your room, pet cleaning fees waived, topped off with a luxurious Microdry memory foam mat for your use during and after your stay. The mat is exclusive to the Loews Loves Pets program.
Founded in 2005, MindsInSync has seen explosive growth in the past couple of years with innovative home and kids products featuring patent-pending materials and proprietary processes. Among the break out successes is the nationally best-selling Microdry Ultimate Luxury Bath Mat. The Microdry Memory Foam Ultimate Luxury Pet Mat is available now exclusively at Bed Bath & Beyond. The "Woofie Weekends" package is subject to availability at all Loews Hotels in the U.S. and Canada. For more information or to book your stay, call 1-800-23-LOEWS 1-800-23-LOEWS or visit www.loewshotels.com.
February 15, 2011, NEW YORK - Our new partnership with Loews Hotels was featured on CNBC.COM.
February 16, 2011, NEW YORK - Our new partnership with Loews Hotels was featured on hfnmag.com. See the article below:
NEW YORK - MindsInSync has reached an agreement with Loews Hotels through which guests at the hotels who travel with pets receive a complimentary Microdry Ultimate Luxury Memory Foam Pet Mat.The pet mat is part of the Microdry product group, which also includes a bath mat. Loews will offer the mat at all 18 of its locations in the United States and Canada during its Woofie Weekends promotion, which runs from now through April 30.Along with the mat, the package includes a one-night stay for a guest and a pet, and includes a meal delivered to the room and waiving of pet-cleaning fees.
February 16, 2011, NEW YORK - Home Textiles Today's interview MindsInSync's President and Founder, Iain Scorgie
February 22, 2011, NEW YORK - Our appointment of Asia region CEO David Pan appeared online and in print in this week's Crain's NY Business.
February 22, 2011, NEW YORK - Loews partnership with MindsInSync featured in HTT.
By HTT Staff -- Home Textiles Today, February 22, 2011
New York - MindsInSync, creator of the Microdry memory foam bath mat, has signed a deal with Loews Hotel to provide Microdry foam pet mats for the hotelier's "Woofie Weekends" program.
Loews Hotels will be offering the memory foam pet mat at all 18 of its locations in the United States and Canada during the promotion, which is running now through April 30. The package features a one-night stay for humans and a pet, with a "Wag Your Tail Delight" meal delivered to the room, pet cleaning fees waived, and Microdry memory foam mat that the hotel guest can take home with them.
Also in the pet sector, MIS has been in contact with the owners of Hickory, the 5-year-old Scottish deerhound that became the nation's top canine at the Westminster Dog Show in New York last week, and shipped the winner a gift box including the same Microdry Ultimate Luxury Memory Foam Pet Mat featured in Loews giveaway.
February 22, 2011, NEW YORK - Loews partnership with MindsInSync featured in Dogtipper.
Loews is always considered one of the most pet-friendly hotel brands on the market and its new "Woofie Weekends" package (which features new Microdry Memory Foam Ultimate Luxury Pet Mat) really shows Loews Loves Pets.
The Package: The "Woofie Weekends" pet package features:
a one-night stay for you and your BFF (Best Furry Friend)
a "Wag Your Tail Delight" meal delivered to your room
$25 pet cleaning fee waived
a luxurious Microdry memory foam mat for your pet to use during their stay and for you to take home. This super-soft mat features a 1/2 inch of memory foam to provide contoured support and help retain body warmth for enhanced coziness.
Price: The "Woofie Weekends" package is subject to availability at all Loews Hotels in the U.S. and Canada with rates starting at $134. Dates: The "Woofie Weekends" package is available now through April 30, 2011.
About Loews Loves Pets: Since the start of the Loews Loves Pets program 11 years ago, many VIPs (Very Important Pets) have made Loews Hotels their home away from home, enjoying the special treatment and privileges that are offered at all our properties. As part of the program, each visiting VIP can travel in first-class comfort with gourmet room service, specialized bedding, a pet amenity and guest services designed to make pets and their owners feel right at home.
February 22, 2011, NEW YORK - Loews partnership with MindsInSync featured in The Orlando Sentinel.
Loews Hotels, which instituted its Loews Loves Pets program 11 years ago to allow guests to bring their animal companions with them, is offering a "Woofie Weekends" pet package through April 30.
Loews says the package "features a one-night stay for you and your BFF (Best Furry Friend), a "Wag Your Tail Delight" meal delivered to your room, $25 pet cleaning fee waived, and a Microdry memory foam mat for your pet to use during their stay and for you to take home. This super-soft mat features a half-inch of memory foam to provide contoured support and help retain body warmth for enhanced coziness."
The "Woofie Weekends" package is subject to availability at all Loews Hotels in the U.S. and Canada - including the Portofino Bay, the Royal Pacific and the Hard Rock at Universal Orlando - with rates starting at $134. For deatails or reservations, call 1-800-23-LOEWS.
February 25, 2011, NEW YORK - President, CEO and Founder Iain Scorgie's interview with FT.com.
MindsInSync, a New York City-based maker of bath and other home products, is considering selling a minority stake to private equity to fund acquisitions, said Iain Scorgie, CEO.
The company is taking the process seriously and may work with an investment bank, Scorgie said. It would be interested in hearing from financial advisors, he added. Phillips Nizer is its corporate legal counsel. Scorgie declined to disclose company revenue, but said the company is a major player in its market. MindsInSync has about 80 employees.
Acquisitions would help MindsInSync build scale and provide a "shortcut to expertise," Scorgie said, noting the company is growing so fast it cannot bring on people quickly enough. Targets should help the company get into underserved consumer products markets and share a similar company culture.
They should also be growing and revenue-producing, he added. MindsInSync's ideal target would be based in New York City, but the company would consider buys even outside of North America.
Among MindsInSync's product offerings are its Aquatopia line of children's bath safety products and its Microdry range of bath textiles, which include a memory foam bath mat. The company also sells kitchen, pet and beach products.
by Ellena Kleinman
February 25, 2011, NEW YORK - Loews partnership MindsInSync featured in the Boston Globe online.
Grab Fido and escape to one of Loews Hotels' 18 US and Canadian properties. Their latest Woofie Weekends package runs through April 30 and includes a one-night stay for you and your BFF (best furry friend), an in-room doggie delight meal, and use of a luxurious Microdry memory foam mat that will provide your pooch with contoured support. What you won't get: the $25 pet cleaning fee. Rates start at $134, based on availability and double (human) occupancy. You must bring a dog to take advantage of the special. 800-235-6397, www.loewshotels.com
March 8, 2011, NEW YORK - President, CEO and Founder Iain Scorgie interviewed by Home Furnishing News in their March issue.
March 2011
Iain Scorgie, President and CEO
Q&A: MindsInSync
By Michael Gambardella
Founded in 2005, MindsInSync has seen significant growth in the past couple of years with innovative home and kids' products featuring patent-pending materials and proprietary processes. Among its biggest successes is the Microdry Ultimate Luxury Bath Mat, made with Microdry fabric and memory foam.
How do you differentiate your company from the competition?
We try to differentiate ourselves on all avenues, but in particular, we try to get in tune with everyday consumer issues. We bring our products to focus groups and let people say what they like and don't like about them, because we have to see consumer problems from their point of view. Research and development are also key for us. We look at function, texture, design and structure from the standpoint of, is that the most functional and usable product?
What special initiatives are you implementing to boost your business?
Line extensions. Microdry now has the eye of the consumer, and continuing to build the brand with innovative items will certainly boost sales. Along with expanding into new categories outside of bath, we'll also be going into lighting. We've also opened a new office in Shanghai with 35 people, which gives us a team at the factory end.
Which of your most recent product launches do you have the highest expectation for?
I think the new pet line will be huge for us, and so will our kitchen line. The kids' products will be a big win for us at toy retailers, and we'll go into mass merchants with these products by the end of this year. The lighting area hasn't seen a lot of innovation, but we have some neat ideas that hopefully will shake this category up.
You regard choosing your manufacturing partners as especially important to your business. What do you look for in selecting manufacturing partners abroad?
I have been sourcing from China for many years. The process we go through takes in several points. First, what is the attitude of the people who work in the factory? Second, does the management team speak good English? Third is location; we try to work with factories not more than two or three hours from a major airport, because our customers visit them. Fourth, we need factories of a decent size because of our mass-merchant customers. Social compliance in terms of how management treats their employees is also a must.
What is your forecast for business for the remainder of 2011? What factors will drive your business for the rest of this year?
Two years ago, we decided to build our own brands. We brought out the Microdry line 18 months ago, and it had a very successful year last year. This year, we will extend the line into towels and pet products, among others, and this will be key to our success this year. I think we've got to keep ahead of the game, and we have to have the innovation card. We also need to continue to win on price-not by offering the lowest price, but by having the best value for the money. We also have to continue to offer the full package in marketing and public relations.
April 4, 2011, NEW YORK - The success and rapid growth of MindsInSync was spotlighted on a report examining how economic recovery relies so strongly on the small business sector. The story included interviews with President, CEO and Founder Iain Scorgie and Senior Packaging & Structural Designer Catie Becker.
April 18, 2011, NEW YORK - Microdry's Ultimate Luxury Pet Mat featured in the NY Daily News.
April 27, 2011, NEW YORK - MindsInSync, the global consumer goods company specializing in products for home and lifestyle is expanding and relocating its UK office, which will serve as the company's European headquarters.
June 25, 2011, NEW YORK - Microdry was featured on NBC Weekend Today in New York as part of a Summer Entertaining Essentials segment. Style expert Courtney Cachet focused on our new memory foam beach pillow and chaise lounge cover and even showed her two adorable children enjoying them on a chaise lounge set up in the studio.
June 27, 2011, NEW YORK - This past week, our pending patent application for the mat was published, a significant measure in protecting some of the proprietary technologies and processes that make the softness, cushioning, absorbency and durability of our Microdry Bath Mat possible. These legal protections allow us to continue bringing innovative everyday solutions for home and lifestyle and guard against imitations that can't deliver the comfort, performance or value of a genuine Microdry product.
Coming to a small screen at a Bed Bath & Beyond near you-the Microdry Memory Foam Bath Mat video. This one-minute blockbuster showcases the Touchable Technologies behind the incredibly cushioned and soft experience the mat brings to the bathroom. While the video does include CGI animation, those deep memory foam impressions are the real deal-no special effects, just pure cushioning.
September 7, 2011, NEW YORK - Today Microdry Bath Mats were featured in the Huffington Post as part of Courtney Cachet's back to school must haves article!
September 16, 2011, NEW YORK - Today our friends at The Talk on CBS pampered everyone in their studio audience by sending them home with the most popular items from our Ultimate Luxury Collection: a Bath Mat, Towel, hair turban and Kitchen Mat!!
July 31, 2012, NEW YORK - MindsInSync, the global consumer goods company behind some of today's most innovative products for home and lifestyle, today announced the registration of German Utility Model No. 20 2010 017 758.8 for its memory foam mats. This follows the issuance of Utility Model and Innovation Patents in China and Australia and marks the continuation of the company's drive to protect its signature innovations around the world.
The company has also announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has granted its request for prioritized examination of its continuation application, putting it on a "fast track." The application is expected to be published in August 2012.
"Our company was founded on innovation and our efforts to protect our proprietary materials and processes mark our determination to continue to lead the market with original solutions that bring something new to the consumer's life," said Paul Cuthbertson, Chief Operating Officer of MindsInSync.
MindsInSync invented the original memory foam bath mat, revolutionizing the long-dormant bath category. Today, the company offers the most innovative selection of memory foam solutions for the marketplace. Its growing portfolio of brands includes Microdry® and Habitude™ for home, Buddy & Friends™ for pets, and Aquatopia™ for families with young children.
The leading innovator of memory foam home solutions
premieres new space for Home Fashions Week 2012
August 29, 2012, NEW YORK – MindsInSync®, the global consumer goods company that invented the original memory foam bath mat, today announced the official opening of its new Manhattan showroom coinciding with New York Home Fashions Market Week, September 10-13.
Located inside the company headquarters at 1350 Broadway, and just steps from other major Market Week destinations, the showroom will feature the company's innovative memory foam solutions for home, family and pets.
Designed by MindsInSync's own creative team, the showroom is a uniquely bright and sleek setting. Natural light pours in through vast panels of windows along the Sixth Avenue side of the room to illuminate the sparkling white floors and modular display units. At the heart of the 3,000 square-foot space are a model kitchen, bathroom and living room that showcases the company's core collections. There is also a spacious conference area featuring state-of-the-art digital and teleconferencing technology.
"We can't wait to welcome retail teams to our spectacular new showroom during Home Fashions Market Week and beyond. Just like our products, it's smartly designed and incredibly comfortable. It's simply a great space to display our growing collections and hold meetings with our current and future retail partners," said Charles Gaenslen, CSO of MindsInSync.
About MindsInSync:
MindsInSync invented the original memory foam bath mat, revolutionizing the long-dormant bath category. Today, the company offers the most innovative selection of memory foam solutions in the marketplace. Its growing portfolio of brands includes Habitude™ for home, Buddy & Friends™ for pets, and Aquatopia™ for families with young children. Every innovation MindsInSync creates is designed to enhance everyday routines by providing unrivaled comfort and incredible performance.
By HTT Staff -- Home Textiles Today, September 5, 2012
New York - MindsInSync - whose memory foam bath mat construction turned the category on its ear - will make its second New York Home Fashions Market showing this month from a new permanent showroom at 1350 Broadway between 34th and 35th Streets.
The company has also bolstered its executive team and is broadening the product categories in which it does business.
"There is very much a focus on R&D and product development here," said Charles Gaenslen, who joined the company in May 2011 as chief strategy officer. He was most recently chief operating officer and executive vp, Welspun USA and prior to that was Bardwil Linens' cfo.
Industry vet Jeff Kambak came on board in August 2011 as vp of national sales for the U.S. market.
The original business may have been built around a single mat, but at market MindsInSync will show kitchen textiles, bath accessories, area rugs, decorative pillows, outdoor cushions, pet accessories, back-to-school items and infant and children's products.
Its inaugural brand remains an exclusive at a big box specialty retailer. But MindsInSync is pushing forward with its own brands: Habitude for home textiles, Aquatopia for children's goods and Buddy & Friends for pet accessories.
"Our R&D team has a mandate not to work on a product unless it is innovative," Gaenslen told HTT. The differentiator for pursuing a product design, he added, "is that it should justify a patent application."
The leading innovator of memory foam home solutions
launches guerilla transit for Home Fashions Market Week 2012
New York, September 6, 2012 – MindsInSync®, the global consumer goods company that invented the original memory foam bath mat, is literally gearing up for Home Fashions Market Week with the launch of a pedicab program that will shuttle retail teams to its new showroom.
Starting September 10th through the 12th, MindsInSync-branded pedicabs will be cycling between major market destinations and the MindsInSync showroom at 1350 Broadway and 35th Street. Attendees can hail the distinctive pedicabs on the street or contact MindsInSync directly at 212-228-1828 to arrange pick-up.
"When we create new products for home, family and pets, our focus is on comfort and convenience. We wanted to extend that philosophy to our Market Week promotional activities, so having pedicabs available to transport retail teams to our showroom was a natural—and fun—choice," said Jeff Kambak, Vice President of National Sales at MindsInSync.
For Home Fashions Market Week 2012, MindsInSync will be showcasing its entire collection of innovative solutions for bath, kitchen and living spaces. From memory foam rugs and pillows to ultra-absorbent towels, every MindsInSync product stands out for its innovative combination of unrivaled comfort and incredible performance.
About MindsInSync:
MindsInSync invented the original memory foam bath mat that revolutionized the bath category. Today, the company offers the most innovative selection of memory foam solutions in the marketplace. Its growing portfolio of brands includes Habitude™ for home, Aquatopia™ for families with young children and Buddy & Friends™ for pets.
Top MIS executives are also top runners
Two of our MindsInSync leadership team completed the Scotia Bank Toronto Waterfront Marathon on October 14th. Antony Pereira, our Global Controller, and Edin Mesic, our Chief Supply Chain Officer, set out under rainy skies at the start of the beautiful metropolitan course, but were treated to some sunlight for the last few miles. Antony finished in 4:30:40 and Edin at 4:04:58. Antony is slated to run the New York City Marathon on November 4 and Edin is eager to run another 26.2 miles in the coming months.
April 27, 2011, NEW YORK - MindsInSync, the global consumer goods company specializing in products for home and lifestyle is expanding and relocating its UK office, which will serve as the company's European headquarters.
April 4, 2011, NEW YORK - The success and rapid growth of MindsInSync was spotlighted on a report examining how economic recovery relies so strongly on the small business sector.
