Trusted for a Reason: URATEX's 17th Most Trusted Brand Award and 57 Years of Excellence

URATEX is celebrating their 57th Anniversary and this means, it's the perfect day to have a field trip at their biggest plant located in Plaridel, Bulacan. 

I've seen their other plant in Alabang, Muntinlupa and standards, it was already huge! So having the opportunity to see this other one up north would get to tell us how they manage to keep up production for Filipinos who love their products and sleep because URATEX exists!

We were welcomed warmly not only by their executives, but by their employees too, no wonder they're the MOST TRUSTED brand for Mattress Category (Platinum) in Readers Digest Trusted Brand Awards. These are voted by consumers which says a lot about the well loved foam magnate.

Production Supply Unit Head Hecto Go says "This is the largest out of 39 plants we have in the country, it's a pleasure that you are with us today. We hope this will be a fruitful tour, and we see this as an opportunity to showcase the best quality products Filipinos deserve. We have a strong team and we continue to grow. After a few years, we hopefully could expand even more than 39, perhaps 50. We will make sure to give quality and affordable mattresses to lie on."

Their Executive VP for the RGC Group of Companies Mr. William Lee adds "In 2020 we invested in automation, you will see that all later. I'd like to thank you for sharing your time with us."

They greeted us with their tagline, "Magandang Gising" which means Good Sleep, a thing they seriously want you to have each time you lie on their mattresses. They have acquired the most advanced foam machines from Germany and currently, only 3 are in the Philippines of which 2 are in their Plaridel plant and the other one in their Alabang plant. We were also there to meet their passionate employees that man everything, from raw material to final product.

The URATEX Plant Tour 

The first room is a cold one so the raw materials are conditioned to make them consistent right from the very beginning. Tanks carry over 300 meters of foam, capable of producing over 700+ mattresses. They leave it here for 2 days.

The other containers are for additives and colorants so your foam looks good.

Mixing happens here, they pour the liquid and it expands to size in a conveyor belt.

From liquid state, it expands like this and go through a series of cutters and shelves to dry.

They have a laboratory for research and development who tests the formula in small batches so when they are making it in the huge machine, they won't have issues anymore.

They also do physical tests to make sure foams are of standard, to test firmness because people like different kinds of mattresses either soft, hard or in between.

They cut them every 13 minutes and put them in racks to dry.

They have other warehouses to store what was produced for the day, and then have another place to cut things according to customer needs.

They use conveyors to transfer it to other buildings which is part of their automated processes. 

The dry and cured foams are stacked in their warehouse until you need them.

They cut them to size with very hot wires or sharp industry grade cutters. It felt like hot knife on butter.

They use huge overhead cranes to stack them.

They put it in covers as per their packaging requirements. It is still part of an automated process to lower the costs.

On the mega bedding line, they have 2 things. One is the All Foam, and the other is the Spring Mattress. They also combine foams to achieve that sweet spot where you don't have back aches when you wake up in the morning. They are called Sleep Specialists for a reason.

They also use special techniques so you don't feel the person beside you move in the wee hours of the morning. It was so nice to see that part!

Their Ortho and Tri Fold mattresses are a combination of foams. These (2nd photo) are pocket springs inside your foam,.they did this so it doesn't move on other parts of the bed. The weight stays there as it is layered and individually packed. They also use fabric and foams to make sure you get the premium feel.

They have huge sewing machines, all industrial grade so all of them would have covers before packing.

This becomes those viral "Mattress in a Box" that is a best seller from URATEX. They vacuum pack it then de-roll to become your new mattress. 

First machine flattens and vacuum seals it, the other rolls it. Then workers put them in a box and send them to stores.

They transport it with a fully electric vehicle that they can use the whole week without worries of number coding. This is something they want to do extensively with all their fleet.

They are also using renewable energy for the whole plant. They are also planning to put up solar panels by early next year. Right now they are 58 percent compliant and want to aggressively become all renewable in 2026 or earlier. So if you want to partner with them, just ask!

57 Years of URATEX: Tried, Tested and Trusted

17 consecutive years of getting the Readers Digest Most Trusted Brand deserves a celebration. At the Ronac Lifestyle Center in Shaw Boulevard, the folks from URATEX and stakeholders from different industries raised their glasses for them... and their passion. 

Ms. Naty Cheng says "Foams were easy to destroy and of low quality in the past but we improved it to last over 5 years. In the early 1970's, we had issues with car manufacturers and we had to be supplied by foreign corps. Standards are high. This is why we are successful. We only started in a garage in Pasay. It was a decision our founders did, this is why we are where we are today! We do not cheat our customers, we give even with small margins, and give our best all these years. This is why we are trusted."

William Lee their EVP for Furniture and Bedding adds "URATEX started small, and now we are the biggest factories in Asia. 39 locations all over the Philippines and Mr. Cheng tapped me for the expansion program. The different manufacturing industries I saw in Germany, Japan, the US, even Africa, we learned about their best machines and got them here. We persevered, worked with our customers for their needs, some have been our partners, now family with professional and personal relationships. It is a team effort, mabuhay to URATEX! We believe in continuous improvements, our foaming machine is one of the most advanced in the world. Our customers trust us, and we show them why."

URATEX is currently using only 15 hectares of their current 45 hectare land in Plaridel Bulacan. They plan to nurture what is existing, then develop and innovate the rest. Expansion is just beginning, and things are looking good with the very passionate people of URATEX. When people recognize your efforts and see value in the products that comes out of your plants, it means you are successful, and they truly TRUST you 

Thank you to the nice people of URATEX who made this day extra fun for us, and congratulations on getting your 17th award from Readers Digest!

They are TRUSTED for a reason.

URATEX Celebrates 55th Year with World Record and Meaningful CSR Efforts

Uratex Philippines just celebrated their 55th Anniversary by breaking a Guinness World Record for the largest Human Mattress Domino. The fun didn't end there as it was part of their CSR initiatives. Those 2,355 mattresses actually went somewhere after the event, particularly to different charity organizations in different parts of the country.

Their CEO and President Mrs. Naty Cheng mentioned "We've already given to 40 charity institutions during our 40th and 50th year, we've checked and saw that their mattresses were still in good condition. We opted to give even more to a different set of foundations so we could continue to help others."

The beneficiaries include actual orphanages, community hospitals, Muslim communities, homes for the elderly, non profit organizations and those who are in need. This also made them help in different locations like Cebu, Agusan, CDO, Batangas, Metro Manila and nearby cities. They provided to those who need it most as it aligns with their corporate values. Their founder Robert Cheng always reminded them to not stop til they get every Pinoy a comfy and affordable mattress. Wouldn't that be a nice future?

Recipients also were quick to thank the corp for going above and beyond of just being a business. Some of them conveyed how grateful they are that they wouldn't have to sleep on the ground because they got the mattresses now. That I think is even more meaningful than the world record, and certainly a good way to celebrate their 55th year!

URATEX Breaks Guinness World Record on their 55th Anniversary!

Well loved local and international sleep brand Uratex just a Guinness World Record for the longest and largest Human Mattress Domino. This feat has been initially set by folks from Brazil way back 2019 wherein 2,019 individuals did it. Uratex is celebrating their 55th Anniversary and what better way to do that but by breaking a world record, and so it begins at the SMX Convention Center.

This was attempted and verified on October 22, 2023. The Uratex Philippines President and CEO Ms. Naty Cheng was there together with over 2,355 people holding up the same number of Single Mattresses measuring 36 x 75 inches each to form the longest human mattress dominoes. Guinness World Record representative Mai McMillan from Japan assessed the feat if they get to break the record in 20 minutes and so they did.

They also did a huge surprise for attendees when they brought out the "A Very Good Girl" star Kathryn Bernardo. We all love her, and being here surely gave world record breakers extra encouragement to do the feat, and the confirmation says it all.

The Guinness World Record attempt was dedicated to the 4,000 Uratex employees and volunteers who helped pave the way to do this. They got the certificate right after and it was accepted by DJ Bigboy Cheng. The mattresses will not go to wasted as they will all be donated to over 55 local charities especially those who are in need of beds to house the homeless, seniors, the differently abled and kids which is a worthy cause to support for their 55th anniversary. Congratulations to everyone who made this attempt a successful one and helped put mattresses on beds, but also brought pride and honor to the Philippines as we hold this record for the world to see.

A Uratex Foam Plant Visit

If you've got a bed, a pillow or soft foamy things at home, most often than not you've got a URATEX product. The company that have started to produce polyurethane foam in 1968 by Robert Cheng promised only one thing in particular, to provide comfort for life.

We visited their plant in Muntinlupa a few months ago and it was a first for me. Honestly, I felt like a kid going on a field trip. Though the place was filled with onlookers wondering who we were, and what we were doing there. Security was strict, you can't go walking or crossing the street if you're not in a designated area. They said it's because they wanted both visitors and employees to be safe since their trucks and forklifts travel very fast inside the plant. A single mishap would disrupt production and they just want things in order. That part is really understandable.

Each foam maker have their own formula in making this, but what they are basically doing is trapping air inside the product after having chemical reaction. These chemicals are stored in huge silos inside their property and are kept in constant temperatures to make that perfect foam. It is in liquid form and when they get combined in the machines, they just let it expand and stay on its form.

A special wax paper is also used so it wouldn't stick on the conveyor belt. It just basically "happens" on its own then they let it rise.

Then they cut it into the length of their warehouse so it could be arranged and sit to dry them for a few days. You might think it's already good foam at its state but inside, it's still hot, wet and raw. 

They use huge cranes to arrange these on lanes that are also either manually done or computerized. The drying also goes in stages and after it dries you can already cut them up for whatever purpose you want to use it for.

They also use metal rods so they can stick it into these foams to check for temperature. The outside layer may look dry but it's bubbling hot inside if it just came out of the machines. People here take precautions so none of them get into an accident as safety is their first priority especially in this part of the production.

They cut up those huge logs into blocks like these, some of which could be 10x as big as your bed. Different densities for different applications. If you want a softer bed, a softer foam. If you want a firmer bed, then they can make you one as hard as a rock.

They drop, spin and cut them with knives and hot wires so they would look like your everyday foam beds. They also have these processes organized so they don't have to go to other warehouses to finish one product. 

They even make special foams for sound proofing, the ones under the carpet, or the ones carved like hands for sports events like UAAP or PBA. I'm sure you've seen some of that!

As part of URATEX's environmental responsibility, they don't waste any materials and use them jagged cuts to create new foams for flooring and carpet appliques. Unfortunately, old foams would not be safe to recycle because of hygienic purposes. It's understandable because imagine the years of dirt that goes through every bed in a lifetime. Uratex is always finding ways to be environmentally responsible, starting in their own turf in Alabang. Utilities, Water, garbage, packaging, are all monitored so they would be sure to keep clean in the facility.

If you wish to visit them at their Parañaque plant, they've got a full store too in front of the property. The store can cater to your needs if you need plastic, foam, quality premium beds that can satisfy even the most discriminating people. For those who want to have the dreamiest place to sleep when they get home from work, I suggest you also try and check their premium mattresses - especially the models that are firm to lie on, some of which are so awesome, soft and cuddly to sleep in - we all tried it there. Oh yes! The whole line is available for viewing, so you may go ahead and try it out if you're looking for the perfect bed. We just did!

It was a joy to be with very nice people from Uratex, thank you so much for having me that afternoon. I enjoyed it a lot, and really learned so much in just a few hours. Thank you and I hope the next time I write about them, I can tell you more about why I have Uratex in my home too.

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http://www.uratex.com.ph/