Leading mattress manufacturer MLILY USA is partnering with the former sleep doctor to the world-renowned Manchester United soccer team to develop mattresses for better, healthier sleep and to serve as an ambassador for the brand. Dr. Robin Thorpe, until earlier this year, worked with the club as director of performance for about 10 years, and has worked with the bedding brand to develop mattresses used by the team’s soccer players on a more informal basis. He recently relocated to Phoenix to work with Olympic athletes to improve their performance through training and better sleep.
The relationship follows the success of MLILY’s work with Thorpe and the Manchester United soccer team as they partnered to create The Dream mattress for the players – giving the team a specialized product in their homes and at the organization’s training facility to speed recovery following matches and practice. The combination of Thorpe’s extensive fitness, sleep and recovery background and MLILY’s knowledge of the industry will provide American consumers with the same quality sleep experience.
“We’re delighted to welcome Robin onto the MLILY team. After his impressive work over at Manchester United and his involvement in the creation of The Dream, we’ve seen where his skills took us before, and we’re excited to see where they’ll take us this time as well,” said James Ni, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Healthcare Co. Ltd, the parent company of MLILY USA.
Aside from his work with MLILY, Thorpe is a certified strength and conditioning specialist with a Ph.D. from Liverpool John Moores University. He originally worked as senior sports scientist at Manchester United, leaving earlier this year to become director of performance and innovation at Altis – an athletic training hub consisting of a team of therapists, coaches and trainers dedicated to sports health education of Olympians and other high-performing athletes.
“I am extremely excited to join MLILY as ambassador and global sleep scientist. I have worked alongside MLILY for the last three years and have always been impressed with their drive to innovate and push the boundaries in this growing industry,” Thorpe said. “I am looking forward to assisting MLILY in their vision to become world leaders in producing the most innovative products to enhance sleep, and also to grow the knowledge base of the importance of sleep, rest and recovery for both athletes and the general population.”
MLILY USA is the North American mattress and pillow company of Rugao, China-based Healthcare Co., Ltd. Based in Knoxville, TN, the company’s mattresses, pillows and sleep accessories are all manufactured in state-of-the-art factories located in China, Thailand, Serbia, and Winnsboro, SC, that spans more than 6 million square feet. With products sold worldwide, MLILY also holds a unique global strategic partnership with Manchester United, the leading sports brand and popular soccer team located in the United Kingdom. As part of the partnership, MLILY provides the team’s training complex with mattresses and other sleep products. For more information, visit www.MLILYUSA.com.
