Hill-Rom and Tempur-Pedic Announce New Product Line


BATESVILLE, Ind., and LEXINGTON, Ky., April 13 - Physicians and other caregivers have long recognized the relationship between restful sleep and healing. Yet, often it seems the last place to find a good night's sleep is in the hospital ... the place where it is needed the most! Now, that may all change for the better as two leaders in their respective industries join forces, seeking to improve the sleep of patients across the country.

Hill-Rom, the health care operating company of Hillenbrand Industries (NYSE:HB), and the Medical Division of Tempur-Pedic North America, Inc., a subsidiary of Tempur-Pedic International, Inc. (NYSE:TPX), the leading expert in comfort surfaces for consumers, announced today that they plan to offer a new line of innovative bed surfaces for acute care institutions in North America. The new line will be showcased for the first time during the April 2007 American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE) Annual Meeting and Exposition held in Washington D.C. (April 13-16).

"We are excited about bringing our two companies together to create an innovative new product line to improve the sleeping comfort for patients," said Peter H. Soderberg, CEO of Hillenbrand and Hill-Rom. "Both of our companies are known for our commitment to quality and service, and have long histories of innovation. Together, we can make a difference in the way patients rest and heal by providing a line of sleep surfaces that focuses on comfort while simultaneously providing better pressure redistribution for hospitalized patients."

The two companies plan to debut a jointly branded line of premium, non- powered medical mattresses to the Hill-Rom acute care customer base. Hill-Rom would be named as the exclusive third-party distributor in North America of Tempur-Pedic medical mattresses to this acute care arena. The co-branded Hill- Rom Tempur-Pedic line would feature sleeping surfaces made specifically for Hill-Rom's market leading products such as the VersaCare®, TotalCare® and Affinity® 4 beds, as well as CareAssist®, stretchers and mattress replacement systems. All products would include deep top layers made of the proprietary TEMPUR® material.

"At our Tempur-Pedic Medical Division, our goal has always been to provide innovative surface technologies for comfort, pressure and pain management," said H. Thomas Bryant, President and CEO of Tempur-Pedic International, Inc. "The powerful combination of two brands with such high recognition in the industry is a strategy that will help to reinvent the patient care experience in acute care facilities. Together, we will ultimately help more patients find relief and comfort when they need it most."

The relationship would combine the strength of Hill-Rom's distribution, service and integrated approach to solutions with Tempur-Pedic's expertise in providing comfort. "Hospital teams are very much aware that comfort and sleep are clinical indicators," explained Paul Coulis, president of the Medical Division of Tempur-Pedic North America, Inc. "Through this relationship, we have the answer to comfort while still providing a product that helps meet clinical needs."

ABOUT HILLENBRAND INDUSTRIES, INC.

Hillenbrand Industries is organized into two operating companies serving the health care and funeral services industries.

Hill-Rom is a leading worldwide manufacturer and provider of medical technologies and related services for the health care industry, including patient support systems, non-invasive therapeutic products for a variety of acute and chronic medical conditions, medical equipment rentals, and workflow information technology solutions. Hill-Rom's comprehensive product and service offerings are used by health care providers across the health care continuum in hospitals, extended care facilities and home care settings to enhance the safety and quality of patient care.

Hill-Rom ... enhancing outcomes for patients and their caregivers.

Batesville Casket Company is a leader in the North American death care industry through the sale of funeral services products, including burial caskets, cremation caskets, containers and urns, selection room display fixturing and other personalization and memorialization products. Batesville Casket Company ... helping families honor the lives of those they love.

www.hillenbrand.com

ABOUT TEMPUR-PEDIC INTERNATIONAL, INC.

Tempur-Pedic International Inc. (NYSE:TPX) manufactures and distributes premium mattresses and pillows made from its proprietary TEMPUR® pressure- relieving material. It is the worldwide leader in specialty sleep, the fastest growing segment of the estimated $12 billion global mattress market. The Company is focused on developing, manufacturing and marketing advanced sleep surfaces that help improve the quality of life for people around the world. The Company's products are currently sold in over 70 countries under the TEMPUR® and Tempur-Pedic® brand names. World headquarters for Tempur-Pedic International is in Lexington, KY. For more information, visit www.tempurpedic.com/ or call 800-805-3635.

Source: Hillenbrand Industries, Inc.

CONTACT:

For Hill-Rom:

Media

Lauren Green-Caldwell,
Director, Corporate Communications & Public Relations,

+1-812-934-8692,
lauren.green-caldwell@hillenbrand.com

For Tempur-Pedic:

Media

Elizabeth Moore,
+1-404-460-9680,
elizabeth.moore@edelman.com

John Moore,

+1-404-832-6452,
john.moore@edelman.com

Web site:
http://www.hillenbrand.com/

http://www.tempurpedic.com/

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