Albuquerque Economic Development and Tempur-Pedic Celebrate Groundbreaking.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Tempur-Pedic International (NYSE:TPX) began construction last week on a $90 million, 750,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art mattress manufacturing plant in Albuquerque, N.M.

U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman, Congresswoman Heather Wilson, Gov. Bill Richardson, Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez and Bernalillo County Commissioner Tom Rutherford were among the many dignitaries joining Albuquerque Economic Development officials for the official groundbreaking ceremony held Sept. 16.

The massive manufacturing facility will serve customers throughout the West, Mexico and South America. Construction of the Albuquerque plant was originally scheduled to begin in January 2005, but that was accelerated to meet greater market demand for Tempur-Pedic's mattresses. The company will employ 250-300 workers when its plant opens during the first quarter of 2006.

"We are thrilled to have Tempur-Pedic in New Mexico. The company's investment is a strong endorsement of Albuquerque's growing reputation as an attractive location for business," said Gary Tonjes, president of Albuquerque Economic Development.

The state of New Mexico and Albuquerque are enjoying a strong economy and new corporate investment sparked through tax cuts, new incentive programs and high profile attention. Earlier this year, Forbes magazine named Albuquerque the nation's 12th best city for business and the lowest cost city for business among those places with a population of at least 200,000.

Albuquerque Economic Development Inc. (AED) is a private, non-profit organization designed to recruit quality companies to the Albuquerque metro area and assists with the retention and expansion of existing industry. AED has been in existence for more than 40 years and has recruited more than 200 companies to the Albuquerque area.

Tempur-Pedic International Inc. manufactures and distributes Swedish Mattresses and Neck Pillows(TM) made from the revolutionary TEMPUR(R) pressure-relieving material: a viscoelastic material that conforms to the body to provide support and help alleviate pressure points. Products are currently sold in 60 countries under the Tempur-Pedic and TEMPUR brand names. World headquarters for Tempur-Pedic International Inc. is in Lexington, Ky.